Questions tagged [rat]
A highly-intelligent species of domesticated rodents. Commonly Rattus Norvegicus (Norway Rat), but the Black Rat (Rattus Rattus) is becoming popular.
42
questions
1
vote
1
answer
77
views
How can I help my pet rat understand the death of his cagemate when sniffing around the body isn't possible?
Today I had to put down one of my pet rats as he had developed a very bad respiratory infection that couldn’t be treated. Both of the rats before we got them have had a history with suffering from ...
0
votes
0
answers
40
views
My rat is having an issue
So the reason I haven't taken him to a vet till now is that I doubt the local vet is trained for rats.
I don't know what is the age of this rat. Since past about two months it is banking on the left ...
- 101
0
votes
0
answers
197
views
why is my female rat suddenly biting and pulling my other rats tails?
we have had rats for 12 years and we have never had something like this happen before.
we have had our 3 rats for 2+ years now they are all female and have always got a long perfectly fine.
just today ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
99
views
How do I introduce my rat, Squishy, to (a) new rat(s)?
Squishy is my pet rat, he's a male. I got him and his brother Loki at Petco (a horrible environment for them, I saved them from becoming snake food.)
I'm a new rat owner they are my first rats. I've ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
85
views
Could i give my rat some boiled pig feet?
I know pig is very fatty and should be in moderation, but I have a half a boiled pig foot I was giving to my dog and he didn't really care for it, could my rat have some??
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
44
views
What should I do for my rat with an injured eye? [duplicate]
My rats got into a tiff last night or this morning and one has an eye injury. No vets near me treat rats and I don't know what to do. What should I do to help my rat?
- 1
2
votes
0
answers
74
views
Is biodegradable cat litter safe to use in rat litter box?
I currently use bathing sand in my rats' litter box but I'd like to change it to something I can just flush down the toilet (it would be much more convenient). I tried using tissues but they just take ...
- 21
1
vote
0
answers
70
views
What happened to my rat? [duplicate]
Last night I noticed my rat ate little to no food, which is odd because she usually eats a fair amount. I took her out of her cage to look at her and her left eye was closed and had red goobers along ...
- 11
4
votes
1
answer
196
views
Can I feed an orphaned baby rat cows milk? And how would I do that?
I found an orphaned baby rat, they're small enough that their eyes aren't even open yet, and I don't want to let the little thing die, but I only have access to cow's milk, and I can't go anywhere to ...
- 41
3
votes
1
answer
226
views
Rats: I have 1 male 1 female, she just had babies. How long can male be left alone in the cage?
My husband brought me home 3 rats, he doesn't know much about them so when he was told they were all female he didn't pay much attention. Turns out there were 2 males and 1 female. Within a day, one ...
3
votes
1
answer
335
views
My pet rat bit his cage mate, what do I do?
Recently I got two rats from a lady who could no longer care for them. She had them for a week and I've now had them for two weeks.
Today the youngest (2 months according to past owner) was climbing ...
- 31
0
votes
0
answers
369
views
My rat is drooling/has thick spit and it looks like blood. They are also heaving as if they are trying to vomit
I have a senior rat, about three years in age who just started spitting up/drooling blood like substance, though it looks pinkish, and he will occasionally heave as if he is trying to puke. He is also ...
2
votes
1
answer
842
views
What is the percent of rats that survive mammary tumor surgery?
Last week I noticed a growth on my rats chest. I got her into the vet and they said it was a mammary tumor. One option is to let it take its course and manage pain through medications and eventually ...
- 121
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
How can I prevent my rat from intentionally peeing on me?
I recently rescued two male baby rats from a shelter. They're assumed to be brothers and they have both warmed up to me over the two months or so that I've had them.
While I expect the occasional ...
- 113
0
votes
1
answer
415
views
Should I keep my rat alone?
I got a pair of male rats from a friend who couldn’t keep them anymore and everything went good for months. They were a sibling pair, named Frederick and Connor.
A couple of months ago, I found ...
- 1
4
votes
2
answers
638
views
rats not getting along,rats too young?
I'm a new rat owner, and I've gotten three rats at the moment. As a new rat owner I made the mistake of not getting my first rat in a pair or group and I got the largest one at the pet store. His name ...
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
384
views
My pet rat won't stop reopening his wound
My rat has this big bump on his shoulder that he made into a wound and he won't stop reopening it. He's 2 years old, so I'm scared to stress him out too much with excessive treatment. What to do?
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
401
views
My pet rat keeps hurting herself and I don't know what to do
So I've had my pet rat for 2 months now and when we first got her she had a tiny scab on the back of her neck. It wasn't a big deal, but now she has a huge scab that I constantly see her biting and ...
- 41
4
votes
2
answers
981
views
Rat is gasping and lying on the floor after being fed
Spencer is my rat and he's about 5 months old, I fed him and his new buddy a few hours ago and I usually let them out to play for a few hours before bed. However, normally when I come in Spencer is ...
- 61
6
votes
1
answer
508
views
Face/Eye injury on a male adult rat
My boys apparently got in a fight today while I was gone and I came home to a decently bloody sight. I discovered the wound at 3:29 AM and it’s currently 4:46AM meaning that the vet doesn’t open for ...
- 61
4
votes
0
answers
2k
views
Female rat suddenly having vaginal discharge
Clover is almost a year old now and she randomly gained weight and feels heavier, she also is getting a lot of mucus over her “lady parts”. I just recently adopted a male rat from a coworker so I don’...
- 41
2
votes
1
answer
103
views
Can my laboratory rat be ill?
Picture below shows Maya, my lab rat, my friend.
But something must happen. She seems to be rather sad, have bad coordination and appears to be somehow weakened. She refusing her favorite food and ...
- 121
1
vote
0
answers
353
views
Rat has been violently itching till it bleeds, what can I do?
Okay so I have a pet Rat named Hope and she seems to be violently itching herself on her sides and face. Its forming a row of individual scabs ling one side that I can see when I bathe on her back and ...
- 301
3
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Do I really need 2 rats?
I have one champagne, broken hooded, Dumbo rat named Hope. She is alone in her cage but I take her out a lot, play and interact with her.
I got her in June and she has never had a cage mate. Several ...
- 301
3
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Leaving rats alone early on?
My girlfriend and I just got pet rats this last weekend, however we found out that we have to go away for the upcoming long weekend. What would be better for not freaking them out/messing with them ...
- 33
1
vote
1
answer
59
views
Antibiotics mixed with yogurt on Sinclac containing bacteria cultures?
I was wondering, since antibiotics fight against bacteria, then if I give my rat an antibiotic mixed with yogurt (containing for instance Lactobacillus bulgaricus) or Nestle Sinlac (containing ...
- 449
3
votes
2
answers
6k
views
What to do after the passing of my rat?
Yesterday my 2-year-old fancy rat Paul passed away. He was black and white and had a bubbly personality, he LOVED food and loved to explore and run around. He had a nice life and was acting like usual....
5
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Why did my pet rat eat her cage mate's tail?
My two rats often play wrestle, but last night it apparently escalated. I heard Dawn squeaking louder than usual, but didn't think anything about it; but this morning half her tail was missing and she'...
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
When 1 of 2 rats die is there a suitable surrogate
I had 2 older rats just over 3 years old. One has passed away. The other is still well and energetic. I do not want to commit to introducing another pair of rats for companionship at this time. It ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Black spots at base of rat's whiskers
My rat has developed dark spots at the base of her whiskers, her front claws seem to be dark too.
They look like they might be dried blood, but I'd have expected her to have cleaned herself.
Has ...
- 332
2
votes
2
answers
954
views
Would it be bad to get my pet rats from Petsmart?
I've done my research on rats, and I've heard it's not good to get your pet rat from Petsmart, but that is the only choice I have at the times. I'm planning on getting two females. I went to look at ...
- 98
7
votes
1
answer
25k
views
Pet rat's companion died and was cannibalized, she is now alone
About 4 months ago I bought two young-ish female rats, Star and Blaze. The store said they were the same litter, but their coloring and size as they grew leads me to believe that may not have been the ...
- 71
12
votes
1
answer
67k
views
What to do when my pet rat passes away?
My rat was euthanised today and I am unsure what to do to help her cagemates feel better about it. Can they even understand death? Will they grieve?
- 1,491
2
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Rat breathing noisily
I have a female pet rat, almost 3 years old. I think she swallowed something a bit too big last night and is breathing loudly, kinda sounds like when you rub your hands on a leather sofa.
She can ...
- 123
4
votes
2
answers
24k
views
My rats had a fight and one of them is injured - what can I do for him?
My rats were fighting and one of them got bitten. It looks quite bad. What can I do for him?
- 1,491
3
votes
2
answers
27k
views
Why is my rat drooling and opening its mouth? Is it choking?
My rat is behaving oddly, opening her mouth and pulling back her ears. There is a thick, mucus-like liquid coming from her mouth.
What could this be, and how can I help her?
- 1,491
1
vote
1
answer
3k
views
Is it safe to give my rats pig ears and marrow bone?
Can I give my rats stuff from the butchers. like marrowbone, pigs ears etc.?
Obviously, without added salt, flavourings etc.
What about meal worms or live foods?
- 332
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can I give my rats bits of Christmas tree to chew?
Is it safe to give my rats branches cut off disposed Christmas trees?
There's a huge pile outside my apartment.
- 332
2
votes
1
answer
52
views
Authoritative resource for toxic foods for rats
Is there any authoritative resource for what foods are toxic for what animals? I'm getting conflicting information from around the web.
In this case, I'm specifically interested in rats.
- 332
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What waste foods are safe for a pet rat?
My rats have rat food and raw veg. etc, however, are there any foods that I would throw away that would be good for rats? Waste-not-want-not, as my Nan used to say!
e.g.
Citrus peel or seeds
Meat ...
- 332
4
votes
4
answers
11k
views
Is cow's milk safe for young rats?
I've heard that rats like yoghurt, I don't have any though.
Is cows milk from a saucer safe for them?
NB: They are Rattus norvegicus (Fancy Rats)
- 332
3
votes
1
answer
521
views
How to teach a rat to not litter in a different spot
Rats are rather clever little creatures. I have potty-trained my two male rats within a single week.
Until recently, they have found a new favorite spot.
The method I used to teach them was ...
- 131