Rats multiply in Spain: nearly 20 million rats, four for every ten people

20 million rats in Spain: the plague nobody wants to see

The rat population boom in Spain has reached staggering figures: nearly 20 million rodents, four for every ten inhabitants. Cities such as Vigo, Talavera de la Reina and Getafe have declared emergencies over the invasion of these pests. The figures, taken from a report by Antena 3, paint a picture many describe as unsustainable, but the causes and solutions deeply divide opinion.

The causes of the boom: farewell to cats?

One of the most repeated explanations points to the decline of natural predators. The mass sterilisation of stray cats, driven by animal welfare laws, has removed a key form of biological control. Meanwhile, rats —intelligent animals with complex social structures— have adapted. Several first-hand accounts confirm that cats today avoid confronting large rats, and sometimes it is the kittens that end up being eaten. This has left a gap that other species, such as rat-catching dogs or birds of prey, have failed to fill.

Another recurring factor is poor waste management. Poorly sealed bins, abandoned lots and outdated sewers create the perfect breeding ground. Rats have found in cities a habitat without competitors, also fed by the food some people leave out for dogs and cats in the street.

The German paradox: firefighters rescuing rats

The contrast with other European countries is striking. While Spain multiplies its emergency measures, in Germany firefighters rescue rats alive. This approach divides opinion: some see it as a symptom of a society that has lost its way, while others argue that rats are not inherently harmful if kept under control. The reality is that in dense urban environments, coexistence becomes impossible without active management.

The institutional response: patches instead of strategy

The councils involved have launched urgent extermination campaigns, but in many cases the intervention is reactive. The story of Talavera, where the problem began when a local woman was feeding the ducks, illustrates how small actions can trigger infestations. The absence of prevention plans and the lack of coordination between authorities worsen the problem. Meanwhile, the rodent population keeps growing, with estimates that may be conservative according to those living in affected areas.

The question that remains is whether society is willing to accept unpopular measures —such as controlling feral cat colonies or the rational use of poisons— before the plague becomes a major public health problem.

Related debates in the forum

• Tudela cancels the winning Santa Ana 2026 poster after its creator admitted using artificial intelligence · 53 replies
• Do you consider yourselves white? Have you experienced racism in Europe's white countries because of your looks? · 191 replies
• Sheryl Crow like a mummy dragging herself across a stage. She's completely finished and doesn't realise it · 50 replies
• An idea repeated a thousand times - it's very easy for me to understand why there was a civil war in this country · 43 replies