I have 3 questions about rats?

Question

my first question is i got 2 sister rats together at the same time and they've only fought once ( to my knowledge). and the first time they did it, they got a little blood on the side of their nose about the size of a grain of sand. is that ok if they get in fights once and a while? (btw i got them 2 days ago). my 2nd question is my black hooded one seems to not really be sneezing but like making this weird snifff sniff sound and she does it once in a while when i take her out of hte cage and right when i put her back. should i be worried? and lastly my 3rd question is do i have to put a wheel in their cage because they're females and they have a tank cage right now but when i went to get them they didnt have the cage i wanted so they're ordering it and it will be in next week but do i have to have a wheel in when i get the wire cage?

Answer 1

Well,First off I don't think rats should be fighting that badly to make each other bleed.But since they both are female,well that may be the problem.Some animals don't like it when another animal of the same gender and species lives with them or around them.They are fighting to be dominent of each other.

Second you might want to see a vet about the sniffing.Though if you are handling her while she sniffs it may be a sign of affection.But if it sounds playful,well,she wants to play!

A wheel is good for both the exercise and health of the rats if they aren't running around or playing outside of the cage then I would reccomend a wheel though you really should be handiling them regular or it may cause them to become fierce or mean.

Answer 2

1.  Yes it is normal for rats to get into scuffles but if they are drawing a lot of blood I would seperate them.  You said you just got them and it was only a little blood, they may have been fighting for dominance and they might never fight again now.

2.  I wouldn't worry about the sniffling/sneezing.  My rats used to sneeze all the time and were just fine.  She may also be getting used to your home and her surroundings, and sniffing a lot so sneezing too.

3.  Rats don't go well in wheels.  You would have to get a wheel specifically made for rats so they do not hurt their backs/tails, and those are expensive and your rats might never show interest in them.  If you want to get them one, get a Wodent Wheel but you do not have to.

Answer 3

First of all, I just want to say that you need to take your rat (probably both rats) to the vet ASAP.  

Now, to answer your specific questions:

1.  The rule for rat fights is always "no blood, no foul."  Things to watch for are injuries, one rat hiding from the other rat, and one rat desperately trying to get out of the cage.  In the wild, rats almost never kill each other, because the dominant one issues a warning for the submissive one to leave, and they leave.  However, in captivity, they can't leave, so it is up to us, their owners, to separate them if things get out of hand.

That said, injuries to the nose or ears are not entirely uncommon, even in normal, "safe" fighting.  Monitor them closely for at least 24 hours.  As long as you don't see any other warning signs, and there are no other injuries, you don't need to worry about it.

Besides that, based on question #2, it sounds like it may not have been blood at all, but porphyrin.  This is a symptom of a respiratory infection in rats.

2.  The most likely cause is a respiratory infection.  You need to get this rat to the vet RIGHT AWAY.  

The person that posted above about a rat being fine was remarkably lucky.  Rats are very good at hiding their symptoms.  Most rats that show symptoms die without treatment.

Other causes of wheezing sounds are:

allergies

congestive heart failure

stroke (you would see other symptoms)

respiratory irritation

One thing to make sure you are doing is that you are cleaning the cage frequently enough.  Most rat owners clean their cages every 5-7 days.  However, it depends on your rats.  Basically, if you lean down near the bottom of the cage, and it smells like urine/ammonia, the cage is overdue for a cleaning.

You should also avoid using pine or cedar bedding.  

Even if you think the cause might be respiratory irritation from not cleaning the cage, or from using pine or cedar, you should still take the rat to the vet.  Respiratory irritation almost always leads to respiratory infection, and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference (without a vet) until it was too late.

The reason to take both rats is because, again, rats can hide their symptoms, and usually if one rat is sick, both are.  The vet can tell you for certain whether or not the other rat is sick.

3.  You should not get a wire wheel.  However, I do recommend that you get a Wodent Wheel.  The senior size is usually best for female rats.  

Female rats usually like wheels, and it is a good way for them to get exercise (male rats tend to be lazier and don't usually like wheels).  Almost every single female rat I've ever owned has liked wheels.  Usually, when people think their female rat doesn't like wheels it is either because they got a wheel that was too small or because they didn't leave it in the cage long enough.  It takes time (4-6 weeks) for them to get used to the wheel, and to start using it.

If you do get a wheel, put it in the cage for about two weeks.  Don't make a fuss over it or try to force them into it, just leave it in the cage.  Once they are used to it, put a few treats in the bottom.  Leave it in the cage, adding treats occasionally, for another 4-6 weeks before you give up on it.  Most likely, at least one of your rats will decide that she really loves the wheel.

And, no, you don't *need* to get a wheel. It's just a good way for your female rats to get out their excess energy.

Answer 4

i honestly think you should seperate them, if they keep fighting they could kill themselves seperate them.

Answer 5

Female rats don't usually 'fight' fight. All cagemates will have disagreements every now and again, but females are more likely to pester eachother and then run off, not fight.

The blood on their noses probably was not blood. Rats have glands behind their nose and eyes. When they are stressed or sick, they secrete the substance from these glands, called poryphorin. It is not blood, it just looks red. It is normal for all rats to get this, especially when they first wake up. But in these times, there must only be a -little- bit, and they should groom it off, not let it sit there.

If your rats had the little speck for a short time, it was most likely because they got into the fight, on top of being new in your home. Give them some time to adjust to their cage and your home, and their stress will deminish, and so will the poryphorin.

However, since you said one makes strange noises, they may be ill. Noisy breathing and poryphorin usually means a respiraory infection. I'll just go over it, they should breathe silently. If there are any weird cicking noises coming from thier chest, or otherwise strange sounds, you should get them to a vet.

On the other hand, you may just be hearing normal ratty noises. When rats are in a situation they are new to, they sometimes get so excited that they make audible squeaks. They sound some hwta like sniffs, only with sqeaking in there. Obviously they will be frightened of everything at first, so take it slowly forthem at first.

As for the wheel, I have never had any rats that use them, and I have had a lot of ratties! I get to thinking that because they are so smart, they are not easily entertained by running in one spot. Exercise is very important for them. If you do nto se a wheel, you must take them out every day for around an hour. I designate an entire room for mine. Just be sure to 'rat-proof' the room. I feel that rats benefit from this kind of exploration, and get to stimulate their minds, thus becoming happier rats.

Making a room safe for them: http://www.dapper.com.au/articles.htm#fr...

Answer 6

im the owner of one rat...well thats how it started turns out i adopted a pregnant rat and well 11 babies latter ive know found all but 6 great homes. since there sisters they WILL play fight this is okay. its just like humans they get to rough for there own good sometimes. only be worried if it seams to get more server then just rough housing. and yes you should get a whell they have free standing ones for just in a metal cage (i recently bought a new cage and need to get one as well) not only will this keep them healthy put BUSSY and less time to try and escape (sneaky little rats) and as for the sniffying that my just be your rats thing (just like a dog who cratches the ground liek a cat after it pees) if he only does it then and isnt showing any other symptoms i really wouldnt worried about it

enjoy your babys!

Answer 7

Are you positive that it was blood on the side of her nose?  Rats produce porphyrin when they are sick, it can easily be mistaken for blood.  It's red and would usually be found around the nose, eyes or on the front paws from grooming.

I would take the rats in to a vet, particularly the one making the sniffing noises.  Was she also the one that had the blood by her nose?  Sounding congested can be an early sign of a respiratory problem, a common occurrence with rats.  Plus, your new babies need a wellness check so that the vet knows them and what is normal for them.

I have never had a rat that enjoyed a wheel, so I've just given up on them.  I definitely wouldn't put one in a tank type cage, there's little enough room as is.  When you get your new wire cage you could try one, as long as it is rat safe (large, solid floor, safe so the tail doesn't get caught).

Rats are very social so it would be great if you can leave the girls in together.  I would watch them for now and see how they behave with each other.  My rats have had the occasional scuffle but nothing too serious.

Answer 8

well if they fought and got blood on their noses you should go to the vet and ask them what you shold do about it, and should ask the vet if the weird sneezing is normal, and you should put a little wheel in the cage so they can get some exercise! i had 3 rats and it was wild!

Answer 9

You should get them a wheel  because they are very active. They can burn off some excess energy with it.    <:3(||||)~~~

Answer 10

The red on your rat's nose might have been porphyrin (rat snot) from it sneezing. Keep an eye out, if she has porphyrin coming from her nose or eyes alot, take her to the vet! They probably need to tussle a bit to establish who's dominant, but if it gets ugly just squirt them with a spray bottle of water.

Also, if you play with them every day, and let them run around and get exercise, I don't see why a wheel would be necessary.