What Do Rat Dreams Mean?

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Interpret dreams about rats chasing you, biting you, & more

Co-authored by Kari Samuels and Devin McSween

Last Updated: December 14, 2024 Fact Checked

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Spiritual Meanings

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Dream Scenarios

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Rat Color Meaning

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Biblical Meaning

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Expert Interview

Rats are shy, furry rodents that are commonly associated with disease, stealth, and intelligence. Whether you adore these animals or find them scary and repulsive, they might hold powerful spiritual meanings in your dreams, symbolizing personal struggles, betrayal, and good luck. Follow along with us to uncover the spiritual meanings of rats in your dreams, what common dream scenarios signify, and what these rodents symbolize in the Bible.

Things You Should Know

Having an unpleasant dream about a rat can be a bad omen and represent hardships in your personal and professional life.
A dream about a friendly rat can be a sign of good luck, indicating prosperity in your career and relationships.
Dreaming about an aggressive rat can be a warning that a friend or acquaintance is going to betray you.

Section 1 of 4:

Spiritual Meanings of Rat Dreams

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Bad luck Throughout history, rats have been regarded as unclean pests that cause disease and destruction wherever they go. Dreaming about these rodents is often considered a bad omen, especially if your dream is scary or unpleasant. This can be a sign that you’re about to enter a challenging period in your personal or professional life.
- For instance, you might go through financial difficulties, experience a rough patch with your partner, or get a cold after having this dream.
- How you feel about rats in real life can impact their meaning in your dreams. Disliking rats or being scared of them can tinge your dreams with negativity, while liking them or finding them cute can add a positive spin.
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Good luck On the flip side, many cultures see rats as symbols of good luck! In China, the rat is 1 of the 12 lucky animals in the zodiac, representing intelligence, adaptability, and prosperity.^{[1]
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Research source} If you feel happy in your dream or find these furry animals sweet, this can be a positive sign that good fortune and abundance are headed your way.^{[2]
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- For example, you might receive a raise at work or meet your soulmate.
- This dream can also be a sign that you have the strength and resilience to overcome challenges and let positivity into your life.
- Reader Poll: We asked 386 wikiHow readers if they believe that their dreams have meaning, and 66% said yes. [Take Poll] So if you feel that your dreams have special or spiritual meaning, most people agree with you!
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Anxiety Rats are well known for scurrying under the cover of night and lurking in damp gutters and sewers. Their shadowy presence can represent things that are worrying you or making you feel insecure in your waking life. Feeling uneasy in your dreams about rats can be a sign that stress at work or in your relationships is draining and overwhelming you.^{[3]
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- Take this dream as a sign to relax and destress. Taking time for yourself to hang out with friends or exercise helps give you the strength to tackle your problems.
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Betrayal There’s a reason why you call someone who betrays your trust and snitches on you a “Rat.” These sneaky rodents operate in the shadows and tend to only look out for themselves. Having a dream about an unfriendly, aggressive rat can be a warning that a friend, family member, or coworker doesn’t have your best interests at heart and is planning to stab you in the back.^{[4]
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- Take this dream as a sign to keep your guard up and be wary of people’s intentions. If a friend or acquaintance makes you feel uneasy, it might be a sign to step back from the relationship.

Section 2 of 4:

Rat Dream Scenarios

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A dream about a rat chasing you can mean you feel overwhelmed. In your dreams, an angry rat running after you might represent problems and worries that are overtaking you in real life. For instance, you might feel stressed about taking on new responsibilities at work or moving to a new city.
- To deal with feeling overwhelmed, practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. This helps calm you down and clear your mind.^{[5]
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Getting bit by a rat in a dream can indicate betrayal. Being attacked and bitten by a ferocious rat in your dreams might be a bad omen that someone close to you is going to break your trust. For instance, a coworker might take credit for your work to score a promotion or a friend might spread rumors about you out of jealousy.^{[6]
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- Practice grounding exercises like meditation to develop your intuition. This can help you gain awareness of your surroundings and suss out people who are out to get you.
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Seeing a dead rat can mean you’re overcoming challenges. Whether you found a dead rat or you killed it, this dream is a positive omen that good things are coming to you in your personal or professional life. This is a sign that the problems you’re dealing with are coming to an end, leaving only success, prosperity, and positivity in the future.
- For example, your leadership through a rocky period at work might result in a raise and promotion. Or, breaking a bad habit might improve your health.
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Dreaming of lots of rats can symbolize problems on the horizon. Watching hundreds of rats scurry around in your dream might be a sign that difficulties are starting to pop up in your career or relationships. You might get into an argument with a friend, deal with setbacks on a project at work, or run into some minor financial problems.
- When you run into a challenge, make facing your problem easier by breaking it down into smaller, solvable steps.
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Seeing rats run away can represent financial challenges. Dreaming of rats scampering away from you in fear can be a sign that money issues are in your future. You might face a period of financial instability, whether you’re dealing with unexpected car repairs or an overcharged credit card.
- Take this dream as a sign to save your money. For instance, list out your expenses each month, like rent, groceries, and bills. Then, create a budget for yourself so you’re not spending more than you’re earning.
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Dreaming of rats in your home can indicate relationship issues. Seeing rats infest every room in your house might represent an argument you’re having with a partner, friend, or family member. You might be ignoring the problem, which is leading to tension and friction in your relationship.^{[7]
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- Interpret this dream as a sign to resolve the conflict. Express your feelings calmly using “I” statements and then listen to your loved one’s perspective. Then, work together to find a solution that makes you both happy.
Dreaming of a rat feasting on seeds, berries, or even the food from your kitchen can symbolize your desire to get out of your comfort zone and grow. You might ask for more responsibilities at work, volunteer in your community to meet new people, or try new hobbies to expand your skills.
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Dreaming of small rats might indicate improvements in your life. Seeing baby rats or tiny, friendly ones can be a positive omen that things are looking up in your career and relationships. For instance, you might receive a bonus for all your hard work on a tough project at work. Or, you might go on a first date that blossoms into a sweet romance.
- This dream can also signify spiritual improvements. You might reconnect with your spiritual side, such as through meditation or prayer, and gain more clarity about your purpose in life.
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A big rat in your dreams can represent deception. In your dreams, a huge, overbearing rat might symbolize lies that are threatening to overwhelm you in your waking life. This can either be a warning that a trusted friend is being dishonest with you, or you’re feeling guilty about deceiving a loved one.^{[8]
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- If you’re feeling overwhelmed by guilt, take this dream as a sign to own up to your lie. Use “I” statements to express why you were dishonest and then genuinely apologize for lying.^{[9]
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Section 3 of 4:

Rat Color Meaning in Dreams

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A black rat in a dream is regarded as a bad omen. In the world of dreams, black is believed to represent negativity, betrayal, and repressed emotions. So, dreaming about a black rat might be a warning to look after your physical and mental health.^{[10]
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- For instance, take care of yourself by getting together with your friends or expressing yourself through art, journaling, or another hobby.
- Then, prioritize your health by getting 8 hours of sleep and exercising a couple of days each week.
Dreaming about a white, furry rat can be a sign that prosperity and happiness are coming your way, especially in your romantic relationship. After having this dream, you might land your dream job, meet your soulmate, or deepen your commitment to your partner.^{[11]
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A gray rat in a dream can mean you feel stuck. Seeing a dull, gray rat in your dreams might represent the stagnation and restlessness you feel in your personal or professional life. You might crave change and adventure, but you aren’t sure how to make it happen.
- Take this dream as a sign to change your life! Your changes don’t have to be huge—just switching up your daily routine, getting a new haircut, or trying new restaurants can rejuvenate your spirit.

Section 4 of 4:

Biblical Meaning of Dreaming of Rats

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In Leviticus 11:29, rats are described as dirty, creeping creatures that make you unclean if you touch or eat them. In God’s eyes, they are unholy animals that can make you spiritually unclean, too. If you dream about rats, this might be a sign to cleanse your spirit: you might pray to God, attend religious services, or literally cleanse yourself with a relaxing bath.^{[12]
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