What’s the Difference Between Squirrel Poop and Rat Poop?​

So, you found poop. Somewhere you really didn’t want to—maybe the attic, maybe behind the fridge—and now you’re trying to figure out who left it. Was it a squirrel just looking for a cozy spot or rats setting up camp in the kitchen? Before you panic, there are some surprisingly specific ways to tell the difference between squirrel poop and rat poop, which will help you to know what you're up against and how to deal with it. 

What’s the Difference Between Squirrel Poop and Rat Poop?

Overall, squirrel poop is often larger and lighter, and rat poop looks more like a sausage as opposed to squirrel poop’s bean-like shape. Here are the key elements to look out for when you’re trying to determine if those droppings were left by a squirrel or a rat. 

Squirrel Poop and Rat Poop: Differences in Appearance

Squirrel and rat droppings look similar if you're not used to seeing either one. They're both small, dark, and pellet-shaped, which makes it easy to confuse the two. But when you look closer, you’ll start to see some clear tells that point to who left the mess.

Size

Squirrel droppings are often larger, averaging 3/8 of an inch long. Rat poop is a bit smaller on average at 1/4 inch (though it can reach up to 1/2 inch). Size alone won’t confirm the culprit, but it’s one of the first clues that can help you narrow it down.

Color

Fresh squirrel droppings often appear dark brown or black. Over time, it dries out and lightens to a brown or off-white color. Rat poop is also dark brown to black right from the start, and it stays that way. 

Shape

Squirrel droppings are more uniform in shape with rounded ends and sometimes curve slightly, almost like a tiny coffee bean. 

Rat droppings are sausage-shaped, but they do differ slightly by species. For example, Norway (street) rat droppings feature more rounded, tapered ends, while roof rat droppings are pointier.

Texture

Nobody likes getting up close and personal to poop, but texture can be telling. Rat poop is denser due to their varied, omnivorous diet.

Squirrel droppings, while still firm, can crumble more easily, especially as their diet is mostly plant-based. In other words, if it falls apart with a little pressure, it might be a squirrel, not a rat. (Make sure you wear the appropriate protection when handling, or better yet, leave this part of identification to an extermination pro.)

Amount

Rats are very prolific poopers, leaving up to 50 droppings per day. If you’re seeing little black dots everywhere, especially along baseboards or near food, that’s probably a rat issue.

Squirrels poop less frequently, but when they do, they often return to the same spot, which means their droppings may pile up rather than scatter. 

Location Differences

Location matters just as much as the droppings themselves. Squirrel poop is found near their entry points—for example, attic vents or chimney flues. They like higher, drier spaces.

Rats, especially Norway rats, stick close to ground level, leaving droppings in basements, crawl spaces, or behind appliances. Roof rats, on the other hand, do head to attics, so if you’re seeing dark droppings upstairs, you’ll need to consider both possibilities.

Illness and Disease Differences

Rats carry serious diseases like hantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonella, and rat-bite fever, all of which can be transmitted through their feces. Inhaling dust from dried rat droppings is especially risky in enclosed spaces.

Squirrel droppings are less likely to carry these diseases, but they’re not risk-free. Squirrels can carry leptospirosis and ringworm, and if they’ve been around raccoons or other wildlife, they can cross-contaminate areas. 

DIY vs. Pro Cleanup 

DIY pest control can work, especially if you’ve correctly ID’d the intruder and caught it early. You can patch holes, set traps, and sanitize the area without dropping a ton of cash. However, if you miss even one entry point or underestimate how many critters you’re dealing with, you’re basically inviting them right back in. Regardless of the pest, cleanup should always involve gloves, masks, and disinfectants. If you need help identifying the pest or help with cleanup, contact an extermination company in your area. 

Exterminators know exactly where to look, what kind of traps to use, and how to safely remove feces without stirring up hazardous dust. They can also tell if you’re dealing with a solo scout or a full-on rat or squirrel infestation. The up-front investment could save you from multiple rounds of guesswork, chewed wires, and contaminated insulation.