Although the final margin in the Etihad Stadium clash was significant, the Blues were initially challenged by the winless Giants, leading by only 10 points at half-time.
The visitors won clearances 41-28, an issue Ratten said would need to be addressed.
"Their work around the stoppages was a lot better than ours, considering the first use that our players got at ground level with [ruckmen Shaun] Hampson and [Matthew] Kreuzer's ability to win the hit-outs," Ratten said post-match.
"They were winning the clearances and scoring from clearances, so that's an issue collectively … which we have to address."
While praising the determined Giants' pressure, Ratten was also critical of Carlton's skill errors.
"I thought our ball use didn't help us at all; it was pretty average," he said.
"We gave the ball back in areas of the ground that we're not really happy about, and that allowed us to be scored against.
"In fairness to our players, the pressure on them [from the Giants] was good.
"There was a bit of heat on our players, but I thought sometimes … they tried to be a bit too cute."
Ratten said Shaun Hampson (31 hit-outs, three goals), Michael Jamison (20 disposals, nine marks) and Lachie Henderson were the Blues' "shining lights".
But, with skipper Chris Judd, plus Jarrad Waite, Ed Curnow and Chris Yarran all set to return for next week's clash with St Kilda, the coach felt others missed their opportunity to impress.
"That's probably what was a little bit disappointing," Ratten said.
"There were a couple of blokes who were sitting on the fringe who didn't take the game by the scruff of the neck in regards to grabbing their spot in the team."
