Author: Lauren Jones, VMD

Rats can make wonderful and interesting pets. While there are common misconceptions about pet rats, they are actually intelligent, clean, and highly social animals with a variety of different behaviors that are loved by pet parents. By understanding their different behaviors, pet parents can better bond with their rat, and both can benefit from the joys of pet rat ownership. Nesting Rats are social creatures who enjoy time outside their habitat, but also enjoy their quiet time. Rats naturally enjoy creating nest—in the wild they use leaves or moss to provide a soft nesting area. In captivity, rats enjoy tearing, gnawing, and bringing desirable items back to their nest. A nest is a safe spot for rats, providing physical comfort and safety for sleep but also a place to birth pups. Pet rats will use materials from inside their habitat to line their nest including: Fleece bedding Recycled newspaper Paper towels Toilet paper rolls Cardboard Carefresh bedding Rats enjoy frequent bedding changes to keep their cage clean and free of waste material odors, and to provide enrichment that stimulates their senses. Investigating Rats are highly inquisitive animals by nature. They enjoy investigating and exploring their habitats, including adventures around the house during supervised playtime. A rat’s sense of vision is not great, so they rely on sniffing and touching to inspect new items. Rats have a terrific sense of smell. You’ll notice their whiskers and nose twitch when they sniff and appear to breathe more rapidly. The smells and sensory information from their highly sensitive whiskers provide rats with additional information to determine if the new item is safe, fun, or something they would like to investigate further. Once deemed relatively safe (or edible!) rats will use their front paws and mouth to touch, drag, eat, and play.  Grooming Pet rats are incredibly clean animals require minimal bathing and brushing. They stay clean by instinctively grooming themselves. This may involve rubbing their front paws on their face, then licking and rubbing the rest of their body down to their tail. Pet rats will also groom other rats and their pet parents. Often, this is out of affection or the start of intended play. You may even notice rats using their teeth to comb through fur. These are all normal behaviors, however if the licking and nibbling become obsessive, it could indicate a problem with your rats. Over-grooming to the point of hair loss or irritation is called barbering. While most pet rats are social, occasionally a dominant rat will barber a submissive rat, causing health problems. If one rat is barbering another, a pet parent should contact their veterinarian to discuss a trial separation and general husbandry review. A mother rat may also have an area of barbing on her stomach, either from her pups during nursing or self-barbering due to the irritation of nursing. All rats are capable of self-barbering, and this typically means something is wrong. Rats most often self-barber around the forearms and chest. Other causes of self-barbering include: Demodex mites and other skin parasites Skin infections Genetic disorders Calorie or diet deficiencies Hormonal imbalances Kidney disease Ringworm Pet parents should call their veterinarian as soon as they notice signs of self-barbering for a full exam and diagnostic testing. Bruxing Bruxism, or commonly referred to as “bruxing” in the pet rat world, is a common behavior of rats and is usually considered normal. Bruxing occurs when rats grind their teeth gently and repetitively. As rodents, rats have constantly growing teeth that must be filed naturally to prevent problems. Gently grinding their incisors helps to wear these teeth down, but pet rats also need other toys, food, and proper care to effectively wear down their teeth. Pet parents shouldn’t rely on bruxing alone to keep their rat’s teeth healthy. Most pet parents notice bruxing when the rat is happy and showing signs of affection—similar to a cat purring. However, rats may also brux when they are stressed. Make sure to take the rat’s entire demeanor and behavior into account when they brux. If they are acting scared, not eating, or have other unusual behaviors, a trip to the veterinarian may be necessary. Boggling Rats have a unique anatomical difference in which part of their jaw muscle runs behind their eyes. During aggressive bruxism, this repetitive tooth grinding may cause the eyes to move abnormally in and out of the socket. This bulging of the eyes is called boggling, and is considered normal. Like bruxing, take the rat’s entire behavior into account to determine if your pet is happy or stressed. If concerned, you should always talk to your veterinarian to be safe.  Chattering Chattering is also repetitive grinding of the incisors, like bruxism. However, chattering is typically louder, stronger, and with more pops or cracking noises. While bruxing is associated with joy or contentment, chattering is most associated with an internal struggle, annoyance, or impending fight with another rat. Playing Rats love to play! They will play by themselves, with other rats, and with their pet parents. During play, you may also notice different noises—such as chirps and other vocalizations. This is how a pet rat indicates he is content and having fun. While they are generally quiet animals, most parents can begin to differentiate the noises their pet rats make when they are happy versus stressed. Young rats may gently nip, bite, and wrestle with each other or their mother as a form of play fighting. This is a healthy and normal behavior that allows them to form bonds and learn appropriate social cues. Play fighting should never result in cuts or hair loss. Excited rats may also jump, hop, or “popcorn” when they are happy. They may run excitedly at full speed around the house or enclosure—just like how dogs get the “zoomies.” While rats are capable of activity during the day, especially with their family, they are basically nocturnal animals. This means they will be more active, making noise, playing, and chewing throughout the nighttime hours. If their cage is placed in a bedroom, this may present a problem for the pet parent to sleep! Climbing Rats are adept at climbing and love to explore throughout their enclosure. They can scale vertical walls, given a little foothold. They tend to be clumsier when climbing down. Providing rats with multiple habitat levels, ladders, hammocks, safe exercise wheels, hide boxes, and other cage furniture encourages their natural curiosity and activity. This enrichment can keep their mind and their bodies stimulated and prevent boredom. Rats do best with multiple cage furniture items to climb, and even better when those items are constantly rotated in and out of the cage. Rats perceive these rotated toys and climbing structures as “new” and are excited to investigate and inspect. Some common cage furniture that promotes exercise and climbing include: Ladder Hide boxes Hammocks and other suspended beds Safe exercise wheel Cardboard boxes Bridges Chewing As a member of the rodent family, rats have constantly growing teeth. They rely on consistent chewing, gnawing, and nibbling to wear down their incisors. If not given appropriate food and chew toys, rat teeth become misaligned and abscessed. These conditions are incredibly painful and require veterinary intervention. Rats should be fed high-quality pellets made specifically for pet rats, in addition to some human vegetables and fruits. While food and pellets can help wear down teeth (in addition to providing excellent nutrition,) pet rats also benefit from chew toys. Toys provide mental stimulation as well as the medical benefit of wearing down their teeth! There are many commercially available chew toys for rats, but these inquisitive and fun creatures don’t require fancy toys! They can be just as happy with items from around the house. Common chew toys for rats include: Wood blocks Cardboard boxes Ball chew toys Paper towels Stick chew toys Toilet paper rolls Climbing toys Because rats are natural chewers, it is important to rat-proof any area of the house they have access to. Electrical cords are of specific concern, as they could cause serious injury or death. Scent Marking Rats, both male and female, have flank glands along the sides of their abdomen. These glands contain natural oils used to scent mark areas of their environment. Rats will rub the side of their body, in addition to their face, to mark their territory. Male rats will also urinate to mark their territory and signal to female rats. They may rub their rear end over items, which leaves a trail of urine, or they may lift their hind leg, similar to a dog.

References Close,WRITTEN BYLauren Jones, VMD Veterinarian Dr. Lauren Jones graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2010, after receiving her bachelor’s degree…,Ferrets can be perfect pets for the right family. When choosing a new pet, their longevity and specific needs should factor heavily into the decision. Exotics and pocket pets also have more requirements than traditional pets to lead a happy, healthy, and long life. Pet parents can maximize their time with their furry family members by working with a veterinary team and thoroughly researching the species before bringing them home. With the proper care, ferrets can bring their families years of joy. Average Ferret Lifespan and Aging Ferrets were most likely domesticated from the European Polecat and used initially for rodent hunting. Domesticated ferrets are not the same species as the wild ferret species in the U.S,. the endangered Black Footed Ferret. Ferrets in captivity typically live 4–6 years, while their wild cousins may only live 1–3 years since they don’t have veterinary care, proper shelter, and regular balanced nutrition. Female ferrets may have 2–3 litters a year and are full size at 6–7 months. Young ferrets are called kits and are considered full-grown at a year old. Large companies or breeders breed  ferrets in the U.S., and they are usually spayed or neutered at six weeks old. There is only one breed of ferret—the standard ferret. A subset of ferrets with a genetic mutation has long hair and are called the Angora ferret, but it is still the same species. Captive ferrets come in various colors, the most common being sable and albino. Other colors and pattern variations include: Black Black sable Champagne Chocolate Panda Dark-eyed white Roan Colorpoint Siamese Generally, the more uncommon or unique the color and pattern, the more likely a ferret is to have genetic issues that make them sick and affect their lifespan. Color variations that create white on the head (such as panda patterns) may cause deafness at birth, a condition known as congenital sensorineural deafness (CSD). There is limited scientific data on this disease, and ferret breeders often refer to it as the human equivalent, called Waardenburg Syndrome. Ferrets in captivity typically live 4–6 years, while their wild cousins may only live 1–3 years.

Pet rat parents have likely witnessed their rat displaying unusual eye and teeth grinding. While these movements may seem concerning at first, these behaviors, called eye boggling and bruxism, can be normal rat behaviors. What Does Rat Boggling Look Like? Eye boggling is when the eyeballs vibrate rapidly, bulging seemingly in and out of the eye socket. The eyes tend to become large and boggling during intense bruxism. What Is Bruxism in Rats? Bruxism, commonly referred to by pet rat fanciers as “bruxing,” is a soft but repetitive grinding of the incisors, or front teeth. When a rat is “bruxing” more aggressively, it may cause the bulbous eyes to pop out of the socket even more. A rat’s anatomy is unique in that the jaw muscle passes behind the eyeball. So when the jaw is moving rapidly up and down during bruxism, the muscle will also vibrate the eye at the same rate. Why Do Rats Brux? Rat teeth, like most rodents, are constantly growing. They need proper care, food, and toys to ensure the teeth are worn down appropriately. If rat teeth aren’t consistently chewing throughout the day, the teeth become misaligned, causing abscesses and difficulty eating. “Bruxing” helps wear down the teeth, but is never a replacement for correct husbandry and other environmental ways to grind their teeth. Healthy teeth are important for the overall health of a pet rat and are a primary area of focus during veterinary exams. It is a good idea to start looking at your rat’s mouth for signs of any abnormalities and to acclimate your rat to having their mouth examined.  Similar to a cat purring, bruxism in rats is commonly performed when the pet is relaxed and content. However, rats may also grind their teeth when they are experiencing anxiety, stress, discomfort, or pain. Take into account the overall picture when your pet rat is “bruxing” or eye boggling. If they are not eating, drinking, or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible for an exam and diagnostics. Rat Chattering Rats can also chatter their teeth, which is similar to bruxism but may be louder with more sharp cracking noises. Chatter may occur when a rat is having an intense encounter and is torn between the physiologic fight or flight modes. Rats also chatter with some illnesses—especially respiratory disease. Contact your veterinarian if your pet rat is chattering or “bruxing” more than normal in addition to any of the following: Labored or increased breathing Coughing or sneezing Lethargy Decreased appetite Ocular, nasal, or oral discharge Rats typically only live for 2-4 years, so regular veterinary care is crucial to keeping them healthy. A 3-year-old rat is roughly equivalent to a 90-year-old human! Keeping their teeth aligned properly allows normal mastication (chewing), nutrition, and supports overall health. What Does it Mean if my Rat is Boggling? This photo of a rat boggling shows how the rat’s eyes bulge abnormally during boggling. While the eyes appear to pop out of the socket, this can be a normal, even happy, expression. Happy pet rats may boggle when they are: Pet by their family Held by their family Playing with a favorite toy Eating a favorite food During pleasant mental stimulation While it is most commonly believed to be an expression of joy, boggling that occurs secondary to distress-induced bruxism, may be an indicator of disease.  Evaluate your pet rat in its entirety—their behavior, appetite, and overall demeanor. Whenever in doubt, seek veterinary help. While boggling and “bruxing” are likely normal, it’s always better to be safe.

Pet rats are fun, inquisitive, social, clean, and friendly creatures who can make a great addition to families. Pet rats are also known as fancy rats. Humans selectively breed pet rats for specific characteristics—typically physical or behavioral traits, as well as longevity. Breeders even started showing their pet rats as early as 1901. Through this selective breeding, there are now seven different recognized types of pet rats. While there are more than 60 types of wild rats, all pet rats come from the same species: Rattus norvegicus. Because all pet rats are R. norvegicus, different types are known as varieties—not breeds. Below are the most common varieties, colors, and markings currently recognized by the American Fancy Rat & Mouse Association (AFRMA). Pet Rat Varieties Standard Standard rats have short, smooth, and glossy hair coats. Male rats may be larger and have coarser hair coats than females. This variety comes in many coat colors and is the closest to the wild brown rat. They have no unusual diet or medical needs. Rex Rex rats, similar to other Rex pets (cats, guinea pigs, rabbits), have curly fur with few guard hairs. Their whiskers may even be curly. They may feel wooly, especially male rats. Rex rats may lose hair as they get older. Sometimes this variety is also called a Manx. Tailless Tailless rats are quite simply named. While most rats have a tail as long as their body, tailless rats are bred to have no tail whatsoever. These rats may be stockier with a rounded rump than other varieties. Breeding tailless rats can result in physical deformities and medical issues. Specifically, this variety can have hind leg and vestigial tail deformities and bladder or bowel problems. A tailless rat may also be referred to as a Sphinx. Hairless Hairless rats are also aptly named. This variety does not have any hair at all, with smooth, imperfection-free skin. They may or may not have whiskers. Hairless rats can easily acquire illness and especially need added warmth. Because they often get sick, this variety may have a shorter life span and some breeders are pushing to limit or stop breeding of this variety altogether. Satin Satin rats have long, smooth, silky coats. Their whiskers are long until the very end with a tiny curl. Satin rats may come in many colors and markings. Dumbo Dumbo rats are one of the more common varieties. They have larger, low-set ears, conjuring images of the Disney classic elephant character. Some rat fanciers believe dumbo rats are more friendly and may even live longer—however, this has never been scientifically proven. Bristle Coat As the name implies, bristle coat rats have coarse coats, like a wire brush. Their fur may even feel crunchy, like the coat of wirehair terriers. Young bristle coats may have curly hair similar to a Rex but will change as they mature. They may have curled tips of their whiskers, like satins. Rat Coat Colors and Markings There are over 40 distinct colors of fancy rats with black, ruby, red, or pink eye colors. To describe a rat’s color and marking, they are first grouped into sections, and then further broken down by more specific colors and markings. Self: The entire body is the same color. Beige, black, blue, blue-beige, champagne, chocolate, cocoa, lilac, mink, platinum, powder blue, Russian blue, Russian dove, sky blue, black-eyed white, pink-eyed white Any Other Color (AOC): The body is the same color, but the individual hairs may have two or more colors. Agouti: coat is dark gray at the base and rich brown at the top. The coat also has evenly distributed black guard hairs. The eyes should be black, and the belly silver. Blue Agouti: coat is gray at the base of the hair and yellow-tan at the top. The coat has evenly distributed blue guard hairs. The eyes should be black, and the belly silver-blue. Chinchilla: similar to agouti, but silver-gray instead of rich brown. Cinnamon: similar to agouti, except russet brown instead of rich brown. Cinnamon Pearl: coat has three bands of color from the base—cream, blue, and orange with silver guard hairs. Fawn: deep gold with a lighter belly. The eyes should be ruby. Lynx: gray-tan with lighter gray at the base and brown guard hairs. Pearl: the palest shade of silver with gray tips. Russian Blue Agouti: Dark steel blue with fawn color at the top of the hair and blue guard hairs. Any Other Color Pattern (AOCP): a combination of two or more colors other than white. These colors may resemble similar markings in other animals (dogs, cats, rabbits). BE Siamese, Blue Point Siamese, Burmese, Himalayan, Russian Blue Agouti Burmese, Russian Blue Point Siamese, Seal Point Siamese, Merle Silvered: white hairs are evenly distributed throughout the coat. Amber, Silver Black, Silver Blue, Silver Chocolate, Silver Fawn, Silver Lilac, Silver Mink Marked English Irish: white triangle on the chest Irish: white feet, a white tip on the tail, and a white mark on the abdomen Down Under: marlins on the top and similar belly stripe or spots Berkshire: white abdomens, tails, feet, and a small spot between the ears Essex: similar to Berkshires, but with a more muted color Variegated: colors on the head and shoulders, a white spot on their head, white abdomen, and color splashes everywhere else Blaze: white blaze on the face Dalmatian: different color splashes throughout the body, similar to the dog breed with spots Hooded: white body with a colored head and a marking down the spine Bareback: white body with a colored head and neck Capped: white body and a small color marking on the head similar to a hat Masked: white body and only a mask of color around the eyes