Guide: What to Do If Your Pet Rat Bites You

We were recently presented with an excellent topic for today’s discussion.

Pet rats are loving, kind creatures- for the most part.

Just like any other animal, however, they can become aggressive and display dangerous behavior, such as biting.

What Do You Do If Your Pet Rat Bites You?

Let me tell you a little story that shows the most extreme side of rat aggression.

At one time, I took in a rescue rat who was repeatedly biting her owner.

This rat was absolutely beautiful and completely tame, but was not interested in people.

As a matter of fact, she would wait for someone to come up to the cage, and would lunge at the person; she was highly aggressive.

It was nearly impossible to feed her, water her, and clean her cage without her attempting to bite you.

I quickly realized this rat would permanently be in my care, as she would never be fit for a home with another human being.

This rat was, by nature, highly aggressive and was likely a product of a poor breeding program that focused on coat colors rather than temperament; after owning, raising, rescuing, and adopting out thousands of pet rats, I can safely say she was the only incredibly aggressive rat that came into my care, without cause.

Of course, if she had been pregnant or abused, this would have been different; instead, this rat simply had an aggressive personality.

This is the worst case scenario. This is the type of rat who, in most cases, cannot be rehabilitated.

With the majority of breeders eliminating this behavior from their stock, it is unlikely that you’ll find it among your rats.

Now, let’s dive into the more common aggressive behaviors, what causes them, and how you should react.

Read More by Clicking “Page 2.”

FAQ: Can Rats Swim?

do rats like to take baths

Rats are furry little land mammals, who burrow and climb. Most people would think that rats don’t like water. Just like people, every rat has his or her own personal preferences; some of those rats greatly enjoy swimming!



Can Rats Swim?

Just like cats, dogs, and many other animals, rats are able to swim naturally. While some of us humans still fumble around in the water like we’re drowning, rats will gracefully doggy paddle all the way to their destinations. Rats are pretty magical little creatures. Read more

Why Is My Rat Always Sleeping?

Every time you look over towards your rat’s cage, you see that he/she is sleeping… again. You can’t help but to wonder why your new pet always seems to be sleeping, much like your typical cat.

Is it normal for a rat to sleep all of the time? Wondering when you should worry? Well, that’s what we’re here for…

What’s Normal and What’s Not: Rat Sleeping Patterns

If you notice that your rat is sleeping all of the time, you might be seeing normal behavior. While humans typically stay up all day long while sleeping for a long stretch at night, most pets do not do this. Instead, pets tend to nap frequently; your dog or your cat likely has you familiar with those sleeping habits. Rats are no different; they have their own habits, too!

Rats Sleep a Lot!

Rats sleep much more than we do, therefore, you will see them sleeping nearly as much as you would see a cat sleeping. You’ll also spot lots of nap time activities, such as nesting, bathing, or grooming one another in the bed or hammock.

You’ll commonly see them wake up, rearrange their beds, wash their faces and paws, then curl back up for nap #2. Since people tend to be awake during the day and asleep at night, we tend to catch the sleepier side of the pet rat.

Rats Are Nocturnal Animals

One of the biggest traits that people overlook is the nocturnal nature of pet rats.

Rats are not up during the day; this is not how they live in the natural world. Instead, they are programmed to explore during the night hours, scavenging for food and safe burrows or nests while other animals are sleeping.

Since they are nocturnal, they are naturally sleepier and more quiet during daylight hours. If your rat is not displaying other concerning behaviors, I wouldn’t worry too much about his or her well being.

Checklist: Concerning Behaviors or Symptoms to Watch For

If you’re concerned that there truly is something wrong with your rat and his or her sleeping habits, watch out for some warning signs that a rat may not be okay:

  • The rat is not leaving the bed to eat or drink
  • The rat seems like he or she isn’t able to walk or crawl
  • The rat seems wobbly or off balance (like he/she is drunk)
  • The rat is lethargic and weak
  • The rat is losing weight
  • Sudden behavioral changes, including severe fatigue, loss of interest in playing and treats, or even aggression.
  • Signs of pain, including hiding, cowering, defensive stances, whining, or whimpering.

Age Is a Major Factor

As a rat ages, he or she is going to have less energy for playing, much like people do as they age. If your rat is approaching the 16 to 18 month mark, his or her energy is likely fading. As youngsters, they’re quick to rouse from a nap for some rough housing; this isn’t so as they get older. On the flip side, the babies under 12 weeks of age will sleep far more, too.

The older a rat gets, the more coaxing you’ll have to do to pull them out of a slumber. Unless you’ve just gotten home, entered the room, or offered treats, that is.

Otherwise, the rat will become increasingly likely to just look at you and fall back to sleep. We all get tired, and our elderly rats simply need more time to recover from the night’s activities.

Why Does My Rat Want to Get In My Mouth?

Have you noticed that your rats love to claw at your face, trying to find a way into your mouth?

It’s fairly awkward, especially for those who aren’t used to this type of behavior from their pets. Even more so if the individual is a visitor who is casually playing with someone else’s pet rats!

why does my rat want to get in my mouth

Do All Rats Play “Dentist”?

It should come as no shock that this behavior is very common (and quite frequent) among pet rats. As a matter of fact, it’s more unusual for a pet rat to not engage in this behavior. Those that don’t tend to be more independent and unimpressed with human interaction; or, they’re simply more timid or scared.

Why Do Rats Try to Get Inside of Your Mouth?

Rats eat an insane amount of food. If you’re not careful with a rat’s diet, you’ll wind up with a very obese pet who refuses to do much aside from eating and sleeping.

Thus, rats are always on the hunt for the best foods, which they know you have. They also know where that food goes, and they’re not ashamed to go in search of leftovers….. inside of your mouth.

That’s right! They’re always trying to find out what you’re eating and where it all went. If you’ve ever had a rat run up, rob your plate of food, and bolt for the underside of the nearest piece of heavy furniture, you know that they love to scheme and plot for food. They are shameless animals, and they love to take your food. Sneaky buggers, but you gotta love them!

Should I Let My Rat Get Inside of My Mouth?

Of course, no one can tell you what you can or cannot do; I will say that many rat owners allow their pet rats to climb in their mouths and do a bit of ratty dentistry. However, I was never one of those people; as much as I love my rats, the idea was very unsanitary for me. I also won’t allow a dog to lick my mouth, though; many others do.

From a health standpoint, I would not advise allowing your rats to get inside of your mouth. Even if your rats are 100% healthy, they don’t exactly wash their paws at the kitchen sink (thus, their little paws aren’t clean). It sure is cute, but the thought of what could enter your mouth during that process churns my stomach.

How Can I Get My Rat to Leave My Mouth Alone?

First of all, don’t play with your rats immediately after eating a meal. This is just inviting them to investigate your hands, face, and mouth. The fresh scent of food lets them know something tasty is (well, was) close by.

Next, be sure that your rats have enjoyed a lovely little meal before you play with them. While rats are bottomless hungry pits, they will be less likely to attempt to tear your mouth open if they’ve got nearly full bellies.

Lastly, discourage behavior when it occurs. If the rat has become insistent about accessing your mouth frequently, simply set him or her down repeatedly until their attention is diverted towards something else. This might mean you’ll set down a rat 3,619 times today, but you’ll eventually get the message across.

The video below is an example of what so many rats attempt to do to their owners:

Have You Ever Thought About Teaching Your Rat Tricks?

dumbo rats

I stumbled across a fun little video that could be helpful in training your pet rats to do tricks!

I know many of our readers have already done some training with their rats, but a few of you have mentioned wanting to try to train your rats.

This video recently made its way into my feed, and I thought it would be a valuable share.

Not Just for Show: Stimulating the Mind

As you may already know, rats are incredibly intelligent animals who are capable of some impressive skills for their tiny size (especially when you consider how small their brains are!) Rats are capable of mapping out and memorizing massive areas, they can predict events and some cause and effect scenarios, they are capable of learning both simple and complex tricks or commands, and they quickly read patterns.

Obviously, rats do not receive the attention they deserve for the smarts that they have!

Teaching your rat tricks isn’t just for entertainment value, either. I know some may argue that training a rat to do tricks is selfish; but it is not. Rats require and enjoy the mental stimulation that comes with learning behaviors, repeating them, and successfully gaining whatever the reward may be (freedom, food, treats, a cozy new toy or hammock, etc.) Therefore, training a rat to do both simple and complex tricks is actually good for your rat’s mental well-being, as well as his or her physical well-being.

Without further ado, checkout the video!

Why Do My Rats Fight At Night?

Have you ever woken up to a battle royale going on in your rats’ cages? For many rat owners, this isn’t an uncommon occurrence.

Rats are nocturnal animals by nature, meaning they’re much more active at night. You’ll frequently see them napping the day away.

When you’re home, you’ll notice they’re much more active when you wake in the morning, return from work or school, and when you’re eating (go figure, they want a nibble!)

If you’re consistently waking up to squeaking each and every night, it’s probably time to figure out why…

Can Rats Climb On Beds?

We all love our pet rats; however, there is something that lurks in the minds of thousands of people across the world…

When wild rats invade the home, they can be of great concern. They may destroy food stores, make a home unsanitary, and spread disease to both pets and people.

Thinking of a wild, potentially diseased, animal crawling into bed with you during the night hours isn’t exactly a tranquil thought.

Can rats climb on beds? Is it possible for a wild rat to get into bed with you during the night? The news I’m about to deliver probably isn’t what you want to hear…. Read more

Why Does My Rat Always Run for the Floor, Under Furniture, and Behind Tables?

Rats are known for their incredibly curious natures.

One moment, your pet rat might be trying to sneak inside your shirt; the next, it’s headed straight into your bag of chips!

At some point, though, your rat will learn that the world is far more vast than the bed, couch, or cage that it lounges around with you….

At that point, you’re in for tons of fun! (or, maybe not… some rats are truly mischievous!) Read more

What Does It Mean When a Rat Licks or Grooms You?

If you’re enjoying our posts, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Thank you for visiting us, and don’t forget to spread the ratty joy!

 

Does it just mean I taste good?

Do I just smell terrible?

Does my rat think I’m a poorly, lost child who needs some direction in life?

Does this have anything to do with the boggling and bruxing that my rat does?!

What is this about?!

Rats are known for licking their owners; some a bit more obsessively than others. They may lick you at odd times. They might only do it once in a blue moon. In any case, it seems a bit odd; especially since dogs are the “lickers” of the animal world.

Move over, Fido. Templeton the Dumbo Rat is taking your title! Read more

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