{"id":3581,"date":"2024-04-29T20:49:09","date_gmt":"2024-04-30T01:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/?p=3581"},"modified":"2024-04-29T20:49:09","modified_gmt":"2024-04-30T01:49:09","slug":"pet-rat-poop-and-poop-habits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/pet-rat-poop-and-poop-habits\/","title":{"rendered":"Pet Rat Poop And Poop Habits"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"a
Here’s what you need to know about pet rat poop. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Committing to a pet is not unlike committing to marriage vows; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. You get to experience all the joys, while simultaneously accepting that it\u2019s not always sunshine and roses. There will be plenty of times when it\u2019s a stinky, dirty experience.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m talking about pet poop. All animals do it, but rats in particular are prolific poopers. They can quickly cover their cage floor with tiny pellets, or \u201craisins\u201d as they are commonly called. So, if you\u2019re going to have rats, you need to know a thing or two about their Number Two. While this is not the most pleasant topic, knowing what to expect and how to spot changes can tell you a lot of about your rat\u2019s health and mood.<\/p>\n

Coprophagy<\/h3>\n

Rats excrete two different types of feces, apparently, similar to that of rabbits. Despite almost three decades of being a rat owner, I never knew this! I only learned about it while doing research for this article when I stumbled upon the Rat Guide\u2019s page about coprophagy<\/a> (the eating of excrement).<\/p>\n

It says coprophagy is normal for rats, but if mine have been doing this, I\u2019ve thankfully never witnessed it. I\u2019ve read people discussing this topic online numerous times, but it was always said to be a rare occurrence and only happened when a rat was missing nutrients. According to the Rat Guide, however, this may be more common than most owners realize. Who knew?<\/p>\n

Rat Poop Facts<\/h3>\n
\"inside
How often a rat litter box needs to be scooped or cleaned depends on the number of rats and their habits. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I can\u2019t find a definitive answer on how often rats poop in a single day, but they have roughly 30 to 50 droppings in that time. You almost have to be impressed by how quickly they can re-pollute a freshly cleaned cage \u2026 almost.<\/p>\n

Their droppings are most often oblong, but can also be oval, round, or egg-shaped. They are brown or almost black in color, but diet can change this. A healthy rat should eliminate soft, yet solid droppings. Adult rat poop can be anywhere from \u00bd an inch to \u00be of an inch long, while a baby rat\u2019s pellets are considerably smaller, like that of a mouse\u2019s.<\/p>\n

The odor is as expected; it\u2019s poop after all. But, in my opinion, it is not nearly as strong as cat or dog feces.<\/p>\n

Foul-Smelling Poop<\/h3>\n

You may come across some rats whose droppings smell far worse than normal. In my experience, this is a sign of malnutrition. The many unfortunate times I have had a rat with truly noxious poops, they had all been rescued from some sort of neglect or abuse situation shortly before I adopted them. By abuse, I mean hoarders, neglectful owners that starved them, or fed them only carrots or butter (I\u2019m not kidding), and rats dumped outside to fend for themselves. Every one of these rats came to me with such foul-smelling feces that it was as if the odor was emanating out of their pores. It was inescapable, and every inch of them smelled \u2014 wrong. I honestly don\u2019t even know how to describe this smell, but it\u2019s unmistakable to me. The second I come across it, I know in an instant that the rat has been surviving on an unacceptable diet, among other problems, leaving their gut flora in terrible shape.<\/p>\n

\"rat
Rats need to be eating a proper diet to get the nutrients they need. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It\u2019s imperative to get rats like this started on a proper diet<\/a> immediately . [Rascally Rat Nutri-Berries<\/a> is a complete rat diet. \u2013 Eds.<\/em>], along with small amounts of yogurt and\/or a probiotic every day. I prefer the probiotic Bene-Bac and have given it to all my stinkers every day until a least a month after they started smelling normal. Usually, it has only taken a few months to balance these rats out, but some have needed longer. With enough time and appropriate nutrition, you can correct this problem for your rat<\/p>\n

Fear Pooping<\/h3>\n

Rats poop when they are afraid. Baby rats are notorious for this! This is because they are still getting to know and trust the humans in their life, and nervous tummies are not great about holding things in. So don\u2019t be surprised if your new little friend drops a large quantity of pellets on you. This also goes for nervous adult rats visiting the vet, or being in a situation they aren\u2019t used to or are unhappy about. And with adults, those fear poos tend to be soft, squishy, and stronger smelling.<\/p>\n

Soft Poops<\/h3>\n
\"several
Consult with your veterinarian about offering a probiotic or yogurt to help your rats normalize gut flora during antibiotic treatment. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Changes to the consistency or color of your rat\u2019s droppings can provide information about their health or well-being. Super soft stool or diarrhea can be caused by a number of factors, including: illness, parasites,<\/a> megacolon<\/a>, antibiotics, and stress.<\/p>\n

Since many antibiotics commonly cause stomach upset for rats, offer them yogurt or a probiotic during the duration of the medication. Discuss with your vet about the amount to give and which antibiotics cause this side effect.<\/p>\n

If soft stools or diarrhea only last for a short while or happen in specific situations, then it\u2019s likely a sign of stress. For instance, a number of my rats got diarrhea or loose stools when traveling with us in the car. Whether it was from nerves (fear poops) or car sickness I\u2019ve never been sure, but being in a car was the trigger.<\/p>\n

So, if my rats have to be in the car, I bring along a pack of wet wipes and a roll of paper towels, even for short rides. If my rats are traveling with us on a long road trip, then I also pack overly ripe bananas. This was a trick my great grandmother taught me while traveling to Colorado with her and my first heart rat, Rory. She said that really ripe bananas are an old-school remedy for diarrhea, and it worked! I only gave Rory small chunks to eat while on the road; not a whole banana.<\/p>\n

If stress is not the cause and loose or wet stools persists throughout the day, talk to your vet. It\u2019s important to prevent dehydration, learn the underlying cause of the loose stools, and treat it.<\/p>\n

Constipation<\/h3>\n
\"rats
Diarrhea or loose stools can cause dehydration, so be sure your rats are drinking plenty of water. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If your rat is dropping hard, dry pellets, he or she may be dehydrated or constipated. This can happen when a rat is elderly, sick, or isn\u2019t getting enough fluids. Try to get your rat rehydrated.<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s a chronic issue and the poop is stuck inside them, they could have megacolon. This is a serious genetic condition that usually starts at a very young age, but it\u2019s not unheard of for a rat to develop this problem later in life. It absolutely requires a vet!<\/p>\n

Weird Poop<\/h3>\n

An odd observation I\u2019ve made over the years is that some droppings come out looking as if there\u2019s a piece of string or grasslike substance sticking out one end. Some of these pellets have even been connected to one another like a fecal pearl necklace.<\/p>\n

The first time I noticed this I thought one of my rats had ingested some material from a hammock. Or even worse, maybe they had a parasite like a pinworm. I tried to see if it was moving, but it wasn\u2019t. When I noticed it again, I showed my vet. She wasn\u2019t sure what it was but didn\u2019t seem overly concerned. Nor did she think it was a parasite.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t see these types of droppings all the time, but every one of my rat groups has had them. My guess is that it doesn\u2019t specifically indicate a health issue. Also, if it\u2019s not from swallowing string or material, then I think it\u2019s likely undigested fur. I have found numerous sources online mentioning fur being found in wild rat droppings, so I assume this happens with our domestic ones as well.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve never found this to be a problem for my rats, but it\u2019s always wise to pay attention to any strange droppings. If you ever see blood in your rat\u2019s stool, or anything moving, definitely get them and a stool sample to your vet.<\/p>\n

Clean Up<\/h3>\n

Rats truly are super poopers, but it\u2019s the number of rats one has that determines how often an owner needs to clean the cage<\/a>. One way to lessen the mess is by potty training your rats. I won\u2019t say it\u2019s the easiest thing to accomplish or that your rats will be 100% about it, but I\u2019ve found that just putting litter boxes in the cage (whether you train your rats or not) encourages them to use the boxes a good portion of the time. This makes it easier to spot clean and scoop poop in between major cleanings. My article \u201cMy Favorite Tips for Rat Care<\/a>\u201d details ways to keep your cage cleaner.<\/p>\n

Bathroom Cues<\/h3>\n
\"rat
Never ignore the signs your rat gives you (squirming, trying to get away) when you have them out on your lap, or you might get peed on. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Having pet rats does not mean continuously being covered in poop and urine. There are a few exceptions, like fear pooping and males sometimes mark their owners<\/a>. Overall, however, rats eventually learn their owners are not toilets (your furniture is another story), and you will stay clean.<\/p>\n

Unless, you\u2019re not paying attention to their cues that is. If you\u2019ve been cuddling your rats for a long period of time and they suddenly start getting extremely squirmy, trying to get away from you, they probably need to go to the bathroom. Ignoring this means consequences, and that\u2019s technically your fault, not theirs. I\u2019m not sure if this makes it better or worse, but you\u2019re more likely to be peed on than pooped on.<\/p>\n

If you like having your rats out for several hours at a time, consider having a litter box available outside the cage for them. The minute they start squirming, put them in it.<\/p>\n

Another cue to pay attention to is sudden stillness. When a rat that has been exploring your couch or bed suddenly becomes very still, with hunched shoulders, they are most likely pooping. So many times, I\u2019ve glanced over to a rat sitting all tucked into themselves with sleepy eyes, looking all serene and precious, only to see the rat walk away a moment later, leaving behind a pile of raisins. Blech! This is why I cover any furniture I allow my rats on and keep wet wipes and tissues close by.<\/p>\n

Having pets is not always easy, but I promise you that rats are definitely worth the effort \u2014 poop and all!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rat poop is more complicated than you might expect, so learn what to expect, including stinky poop, fear pooping, weird poop, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":3587,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rat","category-rat-health"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3581","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3581"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3581\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3588,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3581\/revisions\/3588"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3581"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}