Buck Grease

[Fidget]

I'm confused about when & why this occurs.
I had 5 males that lived together and saw no sign of it - could it be because they lived together since infancy?
I had 2 males that lived alone and saw no sign of it.
Does that mean it's a hormonally induced thing when they are around others?
Does anyone have any idea why some get it and some don't?

 

[jorats]

Sebum is a natural occurring oil in rats and us too. It can be produced more during the hormonal stages and not all rats get it bad like some do. Just like in teens, some get really bad acne due to it and some don't.
Most rats take care of it by grooming. When you see too much of it, then it's time to ask: is he very hormonal or is he sick (stop grooming) or is he an old manrat.

 

[mamarat]

I've noticed in my boys, neutered rats get a lot less sebum.

 

[jorats]

I've noticed that too.

 

[realisedsin]

I have 7 boys, and 3 others before them. I've rarely noticed a buildup unless the rat was sick, but even if you can't see it you may be able to feel it a little when handling them.

 

[Fidget]

I guess that's something that grooming that would alleviate, wouldn't it? Maybe having cagemates makes it less a problem? Buy maybe if they're alone some will powergroom?
So it's not a real common thing is it? Just some boys get it? If one in a group gets it are the rest more likely to have it too?

 

[jorats]

I've only had a few rats with severe buck grease and it didn't make their cage mate have it. Mine was due to their age.