Your all in one source for fancy rat information, news, tips, and help!
For the new owner, the sight of reddened eyes on their pet rat can be quite scary. It may look as if the rat’s eyes are actually bleeding! The truth is, their eyes are not bloody. However, that does not mean that your rat doesn’t need medical attention either; because he or she is probably very, very sick! So what exactly is going on??? Read more
Rat bite fever, an infection caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis (In North America) or Spirillum minus (Mostly in Asia), is commonly spread among humans and other animals by way of wild animal populations; with rats being the largest cause. These adorable rodents have given the disease its name, probably due to the close proximity in which humans and rats live in many areas, whether it be urban or rural. Just how contagious is rat bite fever, is it common, and how easily is it transmitted?
If your rat rips off his or her toe nail, it can seem like a very bloody massacre to have a panic attack over. Almost every rat owner has faced a ripped off toe nail. It can be a scary incident, but with the proper care your rat will be just fine. It will not die! That is, as long as you take proper care of the wound and the rat during the healing process. Read more
Wire is really bad for our little ratties, unless it is only the cage walls. Cage walls are recommended to be wire, actually. However, using wire as a ramp, floor, or shelf can cause a lot of health issues for rats. It can even handicap them or deform their little paws! We may have to buy cages that use these wire features but we can always find a way around them. Read more
We all want our pet rats to be healthy and happy. Fancy rats require the proper cages in order to maintain a long and healthy life, much like other animals. If you are currently shopping for a small animal cage, you need to beware of glass aquariums. Glass cages do not provide ample space, they tend to be poorly ventilated, and they can trap humidity and cause the temperature to rise too high for a rat to be comfortable. They are an all around bad idea. Read more
Mammary tumors in female rats, or does, is quite common. These cysts can grow very large, and will require a small animal veterinarian in many cases.
“Tumor” is a very scary word for us rat lovers, because many of us know how common they are. Even if a new owner has not yet experienced a tumor on their rats, it’s almost sure to happen. Rats develop tumors, both cancerous and noncancerous, at an alarming rate.
Mammary tumors are definitely something to be concerned about, however they are not as serious as other tumors. Mammary tumors do not spread into other tissues, and are usually contained in one area. If you are worried that your fancy rat may have a mammary tumor, it may be time to get her to the vet so that it can be removed!