What do I look for? (rats)?

Question

I want to buy two more female rats, but I don't know what to look for to make sure they are not sick. Obviously I am unaware, b/c all 4 of my rats just died. I am going to wait a little while to get two more, I'm just wondering what it is I should be looking for to make sure they are healthy... Thanks

Answer 1

The first thing that you look for is how clean and respectable the pet store (breeder/humane society) feels to you when you walk in. Do you get a good vibe from being in the store? Or do you feel sad for the animals? Check out all of the animals, not just the rats, that are kept there. Is everyone's cage clean? Do they all have food and water? Even seeing a dead fish floating in a tank turns me off a pet store. I actually went into one store where all the cages were emaculate but the rats' cages looked like crap. This store had no knowledge about pet rats.

Ok, assuming you feel good about the store, now go check out the rats. Are their cages clean, and do they have sufficient clean food and water for the number of rats that are in the cage? What does the cage smell like to you? Are they over-crowded? Do all of the rats in the cage look healthy? If one appears lethargic, porphyrin-stained, heavy breathing, messy coat, then I would be suspicious of the health of the rest.

Don't let the employees rush you, and for the most part, do not believe what they are telling you. I have been known to sit by a rats' cage for up to an hour, just watching them play and interact with each other before I pick the ones I want.

If the rats are sleeping, give a gentle tap on the top of cage to tell them you are there. Do they all wake up, or are some still alseep? Could be a red flag? There is a fine line between a docile rat and a sick one and it takes time to learn the difference.

Now put your hand down in among them. Whenever possible I pick the rats that come to me. Avoid rats that are petrified of the human hand. Their stress level could be so high that they work themselves into a Myco flare-up after you get them home.

Pick rats that are at least 5 weeks old or older. Try to get rats all from the same cage instead of mixing from different cages.

The following links have much more info on how to pick healthy rats:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistarat
http://www.petrat.info/
http://www.geocities.com/poetic_pets/rat.html
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4125.asp
http://ezinearticles.com/?Choosing-The-Perfect-Rat-For-Your-Family&id=483079
And there are so many more on the web

spazrats
"my life has gone to the Rats"

Answer 2

First make sure you disinfect all your rat equipment that any sick rats used.
You might also consider the food you gave them, whether it could have been contaminated.
Personally, I'd be reluctant to buy rats where I had bought 4 rats that died. They may not be to blame, and may have corrected the problem, just like you. Even so, who knows that the problem might not happen again there? Maybe the problem is with the breeder.
I think this is pretty rare; I've had many rats and sickness was rare.
Get healthy-looking rats from a different source, and they should be fine.

Answer 3

You have some excellent answers. I just wanted to add, there is one thing I should have noticed when I got the three little feeder ratlets. The one that turned out to be sick had her fur fluffed out. That can be an early sign of sickness that I should have noticed. I thought she just had a thick coat. She was the only one who was that fluffy.

I'm sure you will have better luck. just follow the great information you have received. You will be a good rat mommy.

Do you know of any pet rat breeders? You can locate them on line. That way, most likely you will get healthy pets that are bred for health and personality.

Answer 4

I remember your question from the other day about your rats' deaths, and I am truly sorry for your loss. A healthy rat should be bright eyed, alert, have a shiny coat, have filed down teeth and there should be no discharge from the eyes or scratches on his body. Good luck & sorry again.

Answer 5

also look at the eyes for discharge and the teeth are filed down. if they have reddish discharge its for respitory distress the teeth should be filed down if they dont knaw on wood. you can cut them yourself with nail clippers. they dont have nerve endings so its fine for them just dont cut too deep.

Answer 6

bright eyes, a soft shiny coat, and ask to hold it and check it out for any cuts or scratches.

Answer 7

you just need to pull up a street manhole cover, and crawl down there and find a nice, black, greasy rat. He might screech, but just grab him, and bring him home. He will be so sweet.