Rat Bite Force and Chewing Ability: Can They Chew Through Metal or Glass?

Rats have continuously growing incisors (open-rooted) that they keep sharp by gnawing. Their bite force is impressive for their size (~1.5–2.5 N per mm²), allowing them to chew through:

• Wood, plastic, aluminum siding, lead pipes, cinder block, soft concrete, electrical wiring (major fire hazard).

What They CANNOT Typically Chew Through

• Hardened steel, thick metal plates, glass, stone, solid concrete.

Why They Gnaw

• To wear down ever-growing incisors (prevent malocclusion).
• To access food, nesting sites, escape routes.
• Exploratory behavior.

Prevention

• Seal entry points with hardware cloth (¼-inch mesh), steel wool + caulk, metal flashing.
• Store food in glass/metal containers.
• Protect wiring with conduit.