My girl rat is behaving strangely...any ideas of why?

Question

my girl rat is 1 1/2 years old and ever since i have had her she has been really hyperactive, curious, healthy, happy etc...basically what most female rats are like... that was up until around a week ago when i noticed a change in her behaviour. she hasnt been greeting me as much, she has been hiding away in her little house alot more and tearing up all this newspaper, before the behaviour change she was pooing everywhere in her cage now she is pooing in one corner of her cage only. she is eating fine, has a big cage and is healthy otherwise.

i take her to the vet for check ups regularly as she is taking medication for her myco which didnt change her behaviour when she started taking it 5 weeks ago....but what do you think brought on these behavioural changes all of a sudden? has anyone had rats that have behaved like this before for some reason?

Answer 1

You should go to the doctor and request a medicine change because like someone said they can become immune. I'm going to assume she's not pregnant because you seem like a good owner and would know breeding a rat over 8 or so months is dangerous. So sadly to say, maybe it's age catching up with her. Rats do typically only live 2-3 years. Still, I think you should go get a medicine change.

Answer 2

It does sound like you are describing a pregnant rat.

BTW, you shouldn't have her on antibiotics so long, her body will grow accustomed to them and her immune system won't work as good.

Answer 3

I had mice, and that's what they would do when they had babies.  Build a newspaper nest in the Pringles can and hide out for 6 weeks (unless they ate the babies of course!).  I would listen closely for the sounds of babies squeaking.

Answer 4

I presume she's not pregnant but as it sounds like she is it could be a false pregnancy. My rats went through it and i took her to the vets and she said it was a false pregnancy. If it is it's nothing to worry about but i'd take her to a vet just for a check up.

Answer 5

Pregnant?