Rabies Vaccination After Rat Bite
You do NOT need rabies post-exposure prophylaxis after a rat bite. Small rodents including rats, mice, squirrels, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and chipmunks almost never require rabies vaccination because they do not serve as rabies reservoirs and transmission from these species to humans has not been documented in the United States. 1, 2
Why Rats Don't Require Rabies Prophylaxis
Small rodents are not rabies vectors: The CDC explicitly states that bites from rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, chipmunks, and other small rodents almost never require antirabies post-exposure prophylaxis. 2
No documented transmission: These animals do not serve as rabies reservoirs, and transmission from small rodents to humans has never been documented in the United States. 1
Consult local health department only if unusual circumstances exist: In all cases involving rodents, the state or local health department should be consulted before initiating post-exposure prophylaxis, but this is primarily for documentation purposes rather than expectation of treatment. 3, 2
What You DO Need: Proper Wound Care
Immediate wound management is critical to prevent bacterial infection, which is the primary concern with rat bites:
Irrigate thoroughly: Wash and flush the wound immediately for at least 15 minutes with soap and copious amounts of water. 2, 4
Apply antiseptic: Where available, apply an iodine-containing or similarly viricidal topical preparation to the wound. 2
Tetanus prophylaxis is mandatory: Ensure your tetanus vaccination is up to date, as most rat bite victims are deficient in tetanus immunity. 4
Consider antibiotics for high-risk wounds: While prophylactic antibiotics are not routinely recommended due to low natural infection rates (only 2% in one study), deep puncture wounds or delayed presentation may warrant antimicrobial coverage for Staphylococcus aureus and polymicrobial infections. 4, 5
Animals That DO Require Immediate Rabies Prophylaxis
In stark contrast to rats, the following animal bites require immediate post-exposure prophylaxis unless the animal tests negative:
Bats: Any physical contact with bats when bite or scratch cannot be excluded requires prophylaxis, as bat bites may be minor and difficult to recognize. 3, 2
Wild carnivores: Skunks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and bobcats should be regarded as rabid unless proven otherwise by laboratory testing. 3, 2
Stray or unwanted dogs, cats, and ferrets: These should be euthanized immediately and tested, or confined and observed for 10 days if healthy. 3
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not confuse rats with other rodents that may occasionally require evaluation, such as Gambian pouch rats or large rodents like woodchucks and beavers, which should be treated as potential rabies exposures when the animal cannot be tested. 6, 2 Standard pet rats and wild rats (Norway rats, black rats) do not fall into this category.