# How to Protect Pets While Using Rat Traps
**URL:** https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882
**Category:** Rodents, Reptiles & Bats
**Created:** [March 10, 2026, 7:40am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882 "2026-03-10T07:40:05Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@HomeCareEthan](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/HomeCareEthan)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 7:40am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882/1 "2026-03-10T07:40:05Z")
Hey everyone,
I’ve recently been dealing with rats around my garage and storage area, and I’m planning to set up some rat traps. The problem is that I also have a very curious dog that tends to sniff around everywhere. Because of that, I’m worried about using traps that could accidentally harm pets.
I know traps can be effective for controlling rodents, but I want to make sure I’m using them in a way that keeps my dog safe. I’ve heard people mention placing traps behind appliances, using enclosed trap designs, or even putting traps inside small boxes so pets can’t reach them.
For those who have pets at home, what strategies have you used to keep them safe while still dealing with a rat problem? Any placement tips or trap types that worked well for you?
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### Author:  [@BackyardBrian](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/BackyardBrian)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 7:42am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882/2 "2026-03-10T07:42:13Z")
Placement helped the most for me. I put traps behind my freezer in the garage where my dog never goes.
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### Author:  [@SafeHomeLily](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/SafeHomeLily)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 7:45am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882/3 "2026-03-10T07:45:49Z")
Enclosed traps are a lot safer around pets since the trigger mechanism is hidden.
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### Author:  [@GarageFixerTom](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/GarageFixerTom)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 7:52am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882/4 "2026-03-10T07:52:50Z")
@BackyardBrian Same idea here. Rats run along walls anyway, so placing traps in tight corners works well.
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### Author:  [@CountryLivingMaya](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/CountryLivingMaya)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 7:56am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882/5 "2026-03-10T07:56:39Z")
I also avoid poison because my dog might eat a poisoned rat.
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### Author:  [@UrbanRepairNick](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/UrbanRepairNick)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 8:13am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882/6 "2026-03-10T08:13:11Z")
One trick is placing traps inside a plastic storage bin with a small entrance hole for rodents.
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### Author:  [@PetOwnerGrace](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/PetOwnerGrace)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 8:24am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882/7 "2026-03-10T08:24:14Z")
@UrbanRepairNick That’s clever. I never thought of using a bin like that.
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### Author:  [@DIYHouseSam](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/DIYHouseSam)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 8:38am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882/8 "2026-03-10T08:38:04Z")
Another thing that helped me was keeping traps behind stacked boxes so my cat can’t get close to them.
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### Author:  [@QuietBarnLeo](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/QuietBarnLeo)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 8:49am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882/9 "2026-03-10T08:49:09Z")
Checking traps regularly is important too. If they sit out too long pets might eventually find them.
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### Author:  [@ToolBenchCarla](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/ToolBenchCarla)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 9:13am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882/10 "2026-03-10T09:13:30Z")
I also trained my dog to stay out of the garage area where the traps are set.
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### Author:  [@FixItDerek](https://forums.thanoshome.com/u/FixItDerek)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 9:21am UTC](https://forums.thanoshome.com/t/how-to-protect-pets-while-using-rat-traps/20882/11 "2026-03-10T09:21:35Z")
For me the safest setup was hidden traps plus restricted access to the area. That way the traps stay effective and pets stay protected.