Here are a few more common and natural ways to say "smell a rat" in French:
* Se douter de quelque chose - This translates to "suspect something", which is a very common and natural way to express that you are suspicious of something.
* Avoir le nez qui flaire quelque chose - This translates to "have a nose that sniffs out something", which is a more figurative way of saying you are suspicious.
* Trouver quelque chose louche - This translates to "find something shady", which is a more direct way of saying you think something is wrong.
* Se méfier - This translates to "be wary", which is a more general way of expressing suspicion.
The best way to say "smell a rat" in French will depend on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.