Is it normal for new pet rats to hide?
When you first bring home a pet rat, it is not unusual for your furry friend to hide for the first couple of days. Remember, they have just been moved from their home in the pet store to an unfamiliar place. It may take them a week or more to warm up to you.
How do I know if my rat has parasites?
Symptoms and Types
- Diarrhea.
- Changes in appetite (loss or increase)
- Weight loss.
- Excessive licking and chewing of rectal area and base of tail.
- Bits of worm or whole worms in feces.
- Severe infection can lead to blockage or perforation of the intestines.
How can you tell if a pet rat has skin mites?
If your pet rat scratches repeatedly at a specific part of its body, or if you see red, sore-looking areas on the rat’s skin, it most likely has skin mites. Mites are often visible to the naked eye. They look like tiny white dots on the rat’s fur and skin, and are most often visible on the rats’ shoulders and face. [2]
What makes a pink eyed white rat an albino?
This is a true albino, caused by a gene that strips all pigmentation from the coat and eyes. A pink eyed white can be any type of rat genetically but the albino gene pales the color to white. All the ticked varieties are simply the agouti version of the self colors.
Is it normal for a rat to have a wet nose?
A Rat’s nose should be dry, a wet nose can be a sign of illness. *If your rat has a wet nose, you can dry it with a cloth or towel. Rats sneeze frequently and more than other animals. Occasional sneezing is normal, excessive sneezing with discharge can be a sign of illness.
What to look for in a rat with an infection?
If left untreated, mites can cause the rat extreme discomfort and may lead to a skin infection. Look for a reddish discharge around your rat’s eyes and nose. This discharge is called porphyrin and, while it does look a little like blood, it’s a different substance altogether.
If your pet rat scratches repeatedly at a specific part of its body, or if you see red, sore-looking areas on the rat’s skin, it most likely has skin mites. Mites are often visible to the naked eye. They look like tiny white dots on the rat’s fur and skin, and are most often visible on the rats’ shoulders and face. [2]
This is a true albino, caused by a gene that strips all pigmentation from the coat and eyes. A pink eyed white can be any type of rat genetically but the albino gene pales the color to white. All the ticked varieties are simply the agouti version of the self colors.
What are the different colors of pet rats?
In practice, blue can be anything from very pale through to very dark, and there is a standard for sky blue (mid blue) and powder blue (pale blue) as well as blue (dark blue) in the USA. Another common self-colored rat is the pink eyed white. This is a true albino, caused by a gene that strips all pigmentation from the coat and eyes.
How can you tell if a rat has an illness?
If your rat only picks at its food, or if it has stopped eating altogether, it may be ill. A lack of appetite often points to an internal illness. An apparent loss of appetite may also indicate that the rat has some food caught in its throat.