Deciphering the behavior of pet dumbo Meerschweinchen can be quite challenging especially for new owners. However, it is very important that rat owners take the time to learn what some of their pet rat’s behaviors might be trying to tell them. Here are some common ways they behave and what they can mean for you.
Also known as “bruxing” or “chattering”, pet rats do this to cause wear and tear on their teeth themselves. Because your pet rat’s teeth continue to grow for the rest of their lives, this proves to be necessary to avoid an overgrowth, which can cause them health problems. Other reasons for teeth grinding in rats would be during times of either stress or, antithetically, during relaxation.
This is a way rats vocalize their mild disapproval. For instance some rats may squeak a little when you pick them up, representing their preference to be left as they were. They can also squeak to other rats who might have the tendency to groom them beyond their liking. Longer squeaks mean greater stress, and a squeak resembling a shriek will mean great distress.
Rats usually hiss when in a tense situation, like facing another threatening rat or even one of your other household pets.
A rat’s eyes may seem to vibrate inside the sockets or bulge out and then back in. This is a result of extreme bruxing or teeth grinding since it begins to affect the eyes as well. But not to worry, because this is usually associated with pleasure or great relaxation in rats.
Ear wiggling in rats usually occurs in females. This is easily one of the signs of their being in heat. It is sometimes suggested that dumbo rats are the only pet rats who will sometimes NOT demonstrate this trait.
When a pet rat tends to poop or pee in certain situations, this can mean these situations frighten, surprise them, or stress them out. A pet rat who may be uncomfortable with being handled by a different person other than its owner can be one of the situations wherein sudden excretion may occur.
Some pet rats may exhibit what looks like aggression, like chasing each other, rolling, nuzzling, nipping, and jumping on each other.
For pet rats who are in their puberty (5-6 weeks), this may simply be an indication that they are roughhousing or play-fighting. For male adult pet rats, this may be a sign of establishing dominance. For male and female rats, this may be a sign that they are mating.
