First Time Owner

[sing4fo0d]

I am the owner of two female ratties. Norah and Juno.

I have two questions.

1) Is there an age limit to introducing a new rat?

2) Norah licks me frequently. Normal?

 

[PitLuvs]

Licks are normal, I have 1 boy who licks constantly lol And no, no age limit, but they should be over 10-12weeks old before introduced to adults Welcome to the shack!

 

[sing4fo0d]

Thanks for the response! I'm glad the licking is normal lol she also like to nibble my clothes. Juno does the same thing but not as much.

I also had another question. Norah seems to be itching herself a lot. There aren't any scratch marks or scabs on her. I don't know if its something that she does regularly and I just haven't noticed it, or if it something that is actually happening more frequently. Regardless, what are some things I should look for just in case there is something wrong?

 

[coreline]

keep looking for scabs and hair loss with mites.

I have a couple rats with dry skin who itch more, but don't have mites. they can go on a fish oil supplement for that.

there are some more things that can cause itching but I am blanking hehe.

 

[sing4fo0d]

Oh okay, thanks! Are there special rat fish supplements?

 

[PitLuvs]

Do girls scratch to mark their territory?? I know boys do but unsure about girls? Someone might be able to answer that as I only have boys.
Have your ladies ever had a mite treatment with Revolution? And where did you get them? Wouldn't hurt to give them a dose, usually pets on pine shaving from pet stores get them and need to be treated.

Also, what do you feed them. Another thing could be protein itch, but again that would have scabs if left untreated.

Unsure about the dry skin, as mine haven't had that either... yet.

 

[sing4fo0d]

I got Norah from Petco. She was my first. I know now not to purchase rats from petco, but I'm glad I at least rescued her from being snake food. The second I rescued from a student that goes to my school. The previous owner had been keeping her in a tank (no bedding) with barely any food or water. Even though she was kept in terrible conditions by some miracle she was perfectly healthy. Her name is now Juno. The owner did not tell me where she was purchased. She's black and white like Norah is, so she might've been pruchased from Petco as well.

I think they used the Carefresh bedding in the Petco I purchased Norah at. I feed them the Forti Diet Pro Health pellets. I also feed them grapes, carrots, kashi cereal etc. I recently found out they are OBSESSED with crackers. (That may cause a protein itch?) I hope they aren't bad for them cause they will do anything for a piece of cracker. They have never been treated for mites. Revolution?

Apparently I've got a lot more to learn about taking care of my girls than I thought haha

 

[PitLuvs]

It's a learning process, and you're at the right place! I have no idea about the food, hopefully someone will chime in about that. But Revolution is a kitten treatment (they have it for cats and dogs too) from they vet for parasites (fleas, mites, ticks). You would of course only use a tiny bit, the vet would tell you much and show you how to apply it. It's about $10-$15 a tube (you would need one) and you apply when you get it, and apply again in 3 weeks.

My guys are always done, especially if newbies come into the house.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

Unfortunately that food is no good, this thread provides a list of the better brands viewtopic.php?f=38&t=12402 if you are interested.

If you think they are excessively scratching then treating them with revo is a good idea and won't hurt them if they don't have mites. Just don't let your vet do a skin scraping as it's very painful and can come back negative even if they are infected.

 

[coreline]

definitely start with revolution!

oh! and freeze your bedding if you use store bought (ie: Carefresh). back when I had my first group I didn't freeze it and that's how I ended up with my first mite issue.

as for the fish oil, it's something my vet sells me/prescribes. I'd have to check the name as I can't remember it off the top of my head. though this is the least common itching issue I've come across and is typically more of a rex thing I think. both of mine that currently have dry skin are rex (a double rex/patchwork and a diluted rex).