New pet rat, but has she got mites? And more ratty questions

alanalea

4 days ago I acquired a beautiful little rat, 5 weeks old, female. She is very playful and already quite tame :T

However, she seems to forever be itching. She's got a little patch of hair loss on her side that I noticed yesterday, where it looks like she has literally scratched it away?

I've changed her bedding to paper only with a fleece snuggle- just in case it was the wood shavings itching her, but she's still scratching like mad

She's being fed on Reggie Rat and she's had a small piece of carrot,apple and yoghurt. I've also completely disinfected her cage.

I can't visibly see any mites and/or eggs.

Anyone have any idea's, before she gets a trip to the vets in the morning?

Lea x

kickstart_3

It does sound like mites! Probably best with a quick trip to the vets for something for them.

tiamai_d

You can get mite spray from a pet shop. Handy to have anyway.

Just a thought, but she may be allergic to dairy. If she is still itchy after being treated for mites take a note of the dairy you are giving her.

Remember to give her some puppy biscuits and some hay couple times a week too.

flufff

I was told not to use wood shavings as it can irritate them.I was told to use wooden pellet cat litter instead which I do for our 3 girls.

alanalea

Thank you all!

I wasn't really prepared to take on a rat, she was kind of dumped on me because the last owners had too many- but i've fallen in love with her I don't really know what I'm doing with her, but she is so friendly (and tucked up in my pocket asleep as I type). I've given her a couple of tiny dog biscuits as treats for coming out of her cage

Is there any foods that I should really avoid, or things that I should keep an eye on.

With regards to taking Bindi (the rat) to the vets- how much will it cost? Is it worth taking out pet insurance for a rat, or even can you?

Aaaargghh so many questions, sorry everyone!

Lea x

tiamai_d

Don't use woodshavings, rats have very sensitive respiratory systems. Use wood based cat litter or paper bedding.

Avoid chocolate, sweets and all fruit with a stone, plum, peach etc.

No idea about pet insurance sorry, or vet fees for Rats, best speak to your vet first.

Rats can get colds and flu', so if you have one, don't handle her unless necessary, and wash hands before and after handling, up past your wrists!

Food wise, pellet food to avoid fussy eating. Then supplement with a range of fruit and veg (like us they will have favorites), cooked chicken, hard boiled egg, cheese (small amounts, very fattening), toasted wholewheat bread, puppy biscuits ( I like using charcoal dog biscuits, something to chew on, and charcoal is good for their tummies), hay (they need roughage too), pretty much anything that you would look at and think of as healthy.

I love rats, they are clean, friendly and fun.

Ideas for her cage, make a hammock from old jeans, never throw out your old jeans, they make so many different interesting toys, tunnels, beds, hammocks, plus they all cost so much if you buy them in pet shops! Some clean plastic plumbing tubes (big enough so she wont get stuck) with the ends sanded to remove rough bits make great cheap tunnels.

Wooden ladders, cardboard tubes, let your imagination go wild.

Oh, in the summer they can get very warm very quickly so buy a 'cooler'. Its a bit of marble (usually £5-£10 but lats forever unless they crack) or use a good, thick unused tile, sit in the cage for a nice cool place to rest. Also, fill a few small plastic bottles with water and freeze. Bury under the bedding (if possible). Yeah, its almost winter, but still needed if you have your house warm.

kickstart_3

Its great you have a ratty , i love them . I used to keep them a long time ago , and have decided to get another one , but guess what i cant find one anywhere ! They become really tame and are so intelligent , hope you get the problem sorted

Kelinik

www.fancy-rats.co.uk/community/ best ratty forum around, they will be able to answer all your questions.

PS I have 3 ratties, love them to bits.

LizD_2

One thing to consider - I've been told by rat keepers that feeding meat can encourage ratties to bite: they can confuse fingers with food!

Kelinik

^^^^ lol, not heard that one before which is quite something cos I thought I'd heard em all!

PS rats are omnivorous so do require meat in their diets.

Buffythedebtslayer

Rats are brilliant pets, I have Seven!

The vets normally costs me 20 quid or so since one of my boys has respiratory problems, you can't get insurance that is worth it, they can be very sick and it gets complicated with insurance companies and pre existing conditions etc. it is not that expensive and i have Goddards vets you should get some thing called Invectmin for the mites, although if she is on her own she could be barbering (sort of rat self harm???!! )

the only thing I would say is can you get her a friend? and I also recommand Fancy rats - outstanding advice!

What is she called?
Buffy