Your canine companion may be your best bud, your protector and even lifesaver from time to time, but there can be some uncomfortable features of life as a dog owner. One question that many owners have is, “Does dog poop attract rats?” Others may wonder if their food could be attracting rodents into a home. Today we will look at the relationship between dogs and mice and whether your furry friend may be attracting mice to your home or keeping them away. 

Whether you have a dog or not, if you suspect you have a problem with mice, it is essential to call the professionals to help with removal. At Skedaddle Wildlife Control Scarborough, our technicians will help protect the animals and your family in the removal process. Continue reading for more information on our humane removal services.

The Dog – Mouse Relationship

Logically you’ll wonder whether your dog is repelling or attracting mice, especially if, since your furry friend joined the family you’ve been seeing more rodents around. We already know that there is a natural dislike between cats and rodents as they have a predator-prey relationship. Dogs are pretty terrifying to smaller animals and have a strong hate/fear relationship with cats, the predators of rodents. So, it should stand to reason that rodents would be terrified of canines. But are dogs as scary to mice as their feline nemesis? 

Some University of Florida researchers decided to look for definitive evidence on the matter by examining the behaviour of the species in question in several African villages. They found that rodents stayed away when any household pets (cats or dogs) were present, but also that they tended to venture back into space if there was a dog present. If a cat was present, the rodents would not come back into the home. In fact, they also found that the rodent repellent impact of dogs seemed greater when there was a feline presence. Animal behaviour experts explain that this may be because the natural dislike between cats and dogs creates a hostile environment that mice, being the skittish safety-loving foragers they are, shy away from.

So If Dog’s Don’t Really Repel Mice, Do They Attract Them?

Dog poop is an unpleasant but unavoidable part of canine-human relationships. Dog poop not only smells bad but it can also attract undesirable pests such as flies. This may lead you to wonder, “Is my dog’s poop also attracting mice?” 

The truth is, while dog poop is unhygienic (it is a reservoir of bad bacteria like E.coli) to keep around and should be cleaned up thoroughly and promptly, it is not all that appealing to rodents. Mice might eat dog feces because, believe it or not, there are some nutrients (fat, proteins, and carbs) sitting in that mess, but it is definitely nowhere near the top of the list of their favourite foods. They’ll probably only go for what your dog deposits when none of the more palatable options (such as fruits and human food) are available. 

In fact, dog poop is so far down on rodents’ preferred meal list that they’re more likely to eat their own feces or their own offspring before going there. So while dog poop gets a bad rap, it shouldn’t be blamed for rodent infestations. What might attract rodents is the food your pup leaves uneaten in his bowl or scattered around it. If you want to prevent your dog from becoming a rodent attraction, you should make extra effort to keep it clean. This may mean feeding your pup smaller portions (just enough to keep the dog satiated and reduce the likelihood of leftovers.) 

It is true that many wildlife animals will shy away when they encounter a dog (especially the bigger canine species). But this is not a foolproof wildlife prevention solution. So don’t be so quick to sign off on your canine friend being the only animal control strategy for your Scarborough property.  

How Skedaddle Can Help With Wildlife Removal

If you suspect you have mice in your home, contact the professionals at Skedaddle Wildlife Control. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we understand that there is no one size fits all solution when it comes to critter removal. That’s why our skilled technicians roll up their sleeves and utilize their hands-on techniques to ensure that your home is critter-free. We take pride in our three-step process, which involves climbing roofs, crawling in attics and utilizing humane techniques to get the job done right. 

Whether you have a mouse problem or an issue with larger critters, we don’t just drop off a trap and cross our fingers. Our technicians use their expertise to make sure that your home and family are protected throughout the removal process. At Skedaddle, we never use harmful poisons or chemicals, and we’re dedicated to providing our customers with a humane, stress-free experience. This means we make sure you and your family including furry family members are safe during the removal process. 

Get started with a detailed assessment of your property by contacting us today!