Will this encourage rats?

[SecretLifeofAlama]

We had a fence built but they didn't build it all the way to the bottom. My toddler immediately tried to climb beneath it and I could see it becoming a toilet for the cats. I asked them to put a board across the bottom but am now paranoid I will encourage rats to nest there instead! See pic, what do you think? Should I do something to discourage them?

What a shitty job. Usually they are embeddes in concrete base with no gaps. Thats not gonna last a storm.
Rats? Meh its not the most sheltered. Add a bird feeder or fruit trees, a source of water and if you have no cats or dogs then yes possibly. Its a shoddy job my concern would be the crap job and longevity of the fence over rats as rats are everywhere.

What is wrong with that? Leaving a gap at the bottom allows for wildlife (including hedgehogs) to move around the environment. Also the gaps between the panels reduce wind loading on the panel.

If you don't want rats don't put food out. Cats like loose dry soil for a litter tray, not fencing or concrete paths.

Hm. I agree the board across the bottom was a bad idea. It will rot and warp. I agree the bottom of the fence is higher than usual once you mentally erase the board on the bottom. There should be some gap between bottom of fence and concrete but it is usually half a board width and your gap is plainly a full board width and a bit more.

What did the contractors plans or quote say about the fence height in relation to the concrete? Check what they quoted you as I think you do have grounds to file a complaint.

Rats are looking for food, no food no rats. that board touching the floor will rot though

I'm surprised by these answers. Gravel boards are absolutely standard aren't they? Concrete ones last better but wooden ones are hardly unusual.

I wouldn't be too worried about the rats OP. You could always cover it with some fine chicken wire if you find there is a problem but I don't think it'll be dark and sheltered enough for them. And as the PP said, allowing some gap for wildlife to get through has positives too.