Collared dove on bird feeder!

This bird feeder has suet pellets put out in the morning and I was curious today to see who visited. Lots of sparrows which is a joy and then I noticed the collared dove waiting. Having been in the house I went out again and spotted the dove eating it’s fill and i suspect scattering suet pellets on the ground. When I went out later to water the garden there was a rat near the feeder! I am not over fond of rats so would prefer them not to be there but they have nibbled through the top of the plastic container of pellets!