Rat Sounds

[jwk811]

My rat always makes this sound like he sneezes every couple of seconds. Is that what they’re supposed to do, or is there some kind of problem. Lol, I don’t know if thats a stupid question or not but I have no idea about rats and they’re sounds because I’ve never had any before.

[_BoidFinatic_]

My rat always makes this sound like he sneezes every couple of seconds. Is that what they’re supposed to do, or is there some kind of problem. Lol, I don’t know if thats a stupid question or not but I have no idea about rats and they’re sounds because I’ve never had any before.

Are you keeping it on cedar bedding? Cedar's fumes triggers 'allergies' in animals.

[python kid]

the rats i get always do that.I wouldn't worry about it rat's are weird,they poop flourecent green turds and then turn around and eat them.

[wolfy-hound]

Sometimes if their tank is really dirty the ammonia will btoher them, or if pine or cedar bedding can irratate them too. Mine always begin to sneeze and snort right after I clean the bins. New bedding has dust I think.
wolfy

[jwk811]

Well I just got them about an hour ago and I soon as I took them out and put them in the cage at noticed it. So, I wouldn't think it would be the cage.

[Emilio]

My rats always do it too I thought maybe it was the pine , but then I switched to aspen and they still do it. All I'm trying to do now is keep their cage as clean as possible.

[frankykeno]

If you just got them home from the pet store they are likely very stressed and not at the top of their health either. Pet stores tend to be less clean than home cages, more over crowded and a lot more fighting for food and water. As well, overcroweded rats tend to spread germs more of course.

Make sure they are not on cedar bedding (many bedding mixes contain a lot of cedar though don't always say they are cedar). Pine is okay, aspen is best. Just make sure you don't have them overcrowded or in a very small enclosure. Make sure their enclosure is well vented for the amonia in their urine but not drafty (if a cat would be comfie at the room temp so would a rat basically). Give them tons of fresh water and good food and let them settle in. Watch for indications that the sneezing isn't going away, they have an excess of red tears or nasal discharge (it's not blood), or they have very loose stools. Also if they appear hunched up or their guard hairs are up constantly so they look out of sorts or their hair is very patchy. Those are things to worry about really. If the sneezing is just stress and poor husbandry related it should pass fairly quickly given good care by you.

[tigerlily]

I went ahead and moved this to the feeder section....