I just got two rats. Ive never owned a rat before. Somtimes they will just start scratching themselves like somthing has bit them. I know its normal for animals to scratch themselves. I have had dogs that have gotten fleas and they scratch themselves in the same way. They will act normal and then all of a sudden start scratching one spot repeatedly. Is it normal for a rat to do this ? They already have fidgety movements so is this how the itch themselves ? Is it possible for them to get any kind of bugs ?
2007-10-03 14:47:17 · 6 answers · asked by sh00onuff 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
As long as you dont see any skin issues, like redness or scaliness or even yellowish spots, they are rats being rats. Rats can get fleas, and other parasites. You'll have to look them over and if they do have bugs, I would ask the vet what is the best way to treat them. My rats never had fleas so I dont have any idea what to treat them with, I would guess something for cats because they groom themselves much the way cats do. But consult your vet first before doing anything, have fun with your rats, they make great pets!!
2007-10-03 15:27:30 · answer #1 · answered by answers4u, not insults 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Rats groom continuously...extra advantageous than cats. Get yet another rat. They groom one yet another and save one yet another's ears and such very sparkling and help to maintain one yet another sparkling of mites and ailments Rats have extra wellness issues whilst they are saved singly...it fairly is because of the fact rats are an exceedingly tremendously social animal that isn't suited saved on my own extra advantageous than one rat is stated as a 'mischief' and that they are so attractive jointly I merely have been given 3 new babies and that they are so humorous and attractive the way they play with one yet another
2016-11-07 04:52:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not fleas, but very commonly mite in rats. If they starting losing any hair you know it's that. Take them to a vets for some treatment - no animal scratches loads unless there's something wrong.
Chalice
2007-10-03 22:21:25 · answer #3 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's very likely they have some sort of external parasite. This site goes through all the possibilities and describes what to look for. http://www.rmca.org/Articles/bugs.htm
2007-10-03 14:53:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes this is normal rattie behavior. i even had one that i named itchy because she would scratch all the time. i took her to the vet and she had no fleas, mites, or allergies that she could find. rats are very fastidious groomers, so don't worry about bugs
2007-10-03 14:51:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
No, it is not normal, you should do it for them. Be careful not to get any mange on yourself.
2007-10-03 14:52:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋