If you want to kill some rats with poison but are worried your dog might eat some and get sick then I have great news for you! When it comes to rat poison safe for dogs you actually have a couple of choices. You can always go for safer options when you are doing pest control.
RatX is Safe for Dogs
RatX is a relatively new product and was designed to be exactly what you are looking for right now – a pet friendly rat poison. The active ingredients in RatX, corn gluten, and salt, will kill rats and mice but will not harm dogs or children.
Here is the official video that tells you more about this canine-friendly rodenticide.
How does Rat X work? RatX kills the rat through dehydration. When the corn gluten in the product reaches the rat’s stomach it swells up and blocks off the digestive tract. The rat is then unable to eat or drink anything and eventually dies of dehydration.
The company that makes RatX claims that because the animal dies of dehydration, and continues to dehydrate after it is dead, that this is a rat poison that kills without odor.
The reason why this product is a pet safe rat poison and won’t hurt dogs is that dogs can throw up and get the product out of their system. Rats are not able to throw up and are stuck with what they eat.

Tier 1 Bait Stations Are Safe for Dogs
Another pest control rat-killing option that won’t hurt your dog is a Tier 1 bait station.
A Tier 1 bait station is essentially a complete tamper-proof box that holds a traditional high toxicity rat poison.
You might ask if how long does the rat poison work. After a rat eats the poison from the bait station it will typically die within 1 to 2 days. Tier 1 bait stations were mandated by the EPA to reduce the number of accidental poisonings of pets and children.
Here is a video from Tomcat explaining what a Tier 1 bait box is and how to use one.
I bought the disposable Tier I station below and wanted to take the lid off so I could take a better picture of the bait. I fought this thing with a screwdriver for five minutes before I realized that this thing was designed to make sure that I could NEVER get the lid off.
In order for a bait box to be designated a Tier 1 then the design has to be tough enough that a child could not open it and a dog could not chew through it.

There is a concern about dogs getting secondary poisoning but the risk is relatively minor.
Secondary poisoning is when an animal such as a dog eats a rat that has been poisoned. Some of the active poison is still in the rat and the dog gets sick from the poison. Secondary poisoning is a major concern for small animals like owls and foxes that eat a lot of rodents in areas where widespread poisoning operations are occurring.
Chances are that your dog isn’t going to find many poisoned rats and in the event that he does eat one then the amount of residual poison typically would not be enough to harm it. The active ingredient in these poisons typically causes internal bleeding. If your dog is looking lethargic then your vet might need to treat him with a vitamin K injection.
Pet-Friendly Rodent Control
Some people do not want any of the commercially available products in their homes simply because they can be so toxic. If that sounds like you then here is an article describing how to make homemade rat poisons. Some people claim that they are able to get rid of rats with black pepper.
Another tool to use in your fight against rats is pet-friendly rat traps. Traditional rat traps can be hard to use and would hurt your dog if they accidentally triggered the release. However, there are three types of traps that are completely safe around dogs.
Rat Zappers
A rat zapper is an electric device that electrocutes a rodent when it crawls into the main chamber. The entrance to the main chamber is way too small for a dog to enter. If a dog did manage his way into the device then the resulting shock would be large enough to cause him pain but would not cause permanent harm.
This style of trap is widely considered to be the most humane trap available as the rodent dies instantly.
Bucket Traps
A bucket trap uses a five-gallon bucket that has either a plank on the side or a roller in the middle that tricks the rat into falling inside the bucket. If the bucket is partially full of water then the rat will drown.
Traditional Live Trap
Last on the list is the traditional live trap from Havahart. This trap is simple to set and is designed to make sure that no animal gets hurt when the latch is triggered.
The Havahart trap is an industry standard when it comes to safety in rodent control.
About Author
Noah Thompson
Noah Thompson is an expert in rat relief, providing invaluable tips and advice on effective rat control. With extensive knowledge in rodent behavior, he simplifies complex concepts, empowering readers to confidently tackle rat infestations. Through workshops and seminars, Noah equips communities with practical skills while advocating for humane treatment and control of rats.