I've noticed for quite some time now that Tulla, one of my girls who is about a year and a half old, is drinking a lot more than usual. When I hear the drinking sound at the water bottle and glance over, it's usually her. Otherwise, her appetite and behaviour are fine. I searched to find info here about excessive thirst in rats and it said it could be diabetes, and that there is nothing to be done. Is there a diet she should be on, like limit sugars (banana, fruit)? Thanks!
very thirsty rat, any thoughts?
- Thread starter ratmando
- Start date
Help Support The Rat Shack Forum:
eagle
Well-Known Member
I have noticed as my rats age they seem to drink more.
lilspaz68
Well-Known Member
Some rats will drink more over their lifetime, for eg, my Niagara Nakies all drink a lot of water since they were babies, but if you notice them drinking more as they age its because their kidney's aren't working as well and they drink more water to flush the toxins to make up for it. Renal failure is usually a gradual process and is just part of aging. Diabetes in rats is extremely rare.
temblabamomo
Senior Member
My 2 yr old boy has been drinking more as well for several months, but he's otherwise fine.
When Wolfie went into acute renal failure from metacam, he guzzled water like it was going out of style.
If the rat is otherwise normal, I would just chalk it up to age.
When Wolfie went into acute renal failure from metacam, he guzzled water like it was going out of style.
If the rat is otherwise normal, I would just chalk it up to age.
Thanks for your posts, I'm not so concerned about her drinking now :hugs: But she's making funny little monkey sounds and I think she needs to see the vet to see about a URI. It comes and goes and she's not wheezing or sneezing, but sometimes if she's making little noises, I hold her up to my ear and there are occasional very soft wheezes too. 
I've dealt with URIs many times, but they make me worry.
I've dealt with URIs many times, but they make me worry.