Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Since my collection is growing, I have decided to try my hand at breeding rats. I purchased a female rat from a local store, only to hear her sneeze, so I returned her. Then today, I bought a female and male from a different source, and the male rat is also sneezing. He looks big and healthy, alert with no nasal or eye discharge, yet he sometimes does repetitive sneezing.

Its been a long time since I have had rodents (I had mice and hamsters as pets)...is sneezing normal for rats? I would think that it would be a sign of an RI, but two healthy looking rats from different sources having the same quirks make me think that maybe rats are just investigative and use their nose a lot? I bought a replacement male just in case, yet I still have this male. Would it be safe to feed him off? I can't return him as I bought him at a store about forty minutes from me...should I find him a pet home? Euthanize? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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2.2 Beardies:
0.1 german giant X
1.0 sandfire X
1.1 hypopastel clear nail het leuc., poss. het trans.

2.1 Cornsnakes:
1.0 anery stripe motley
0.1 anery
1.0 ghost

6.10.0 Ball Pythons:
0.1 classic jungle
0.7 normal
2.0 pastel
0.1 spider
1.0 mojave
1.0 het caramel albino
1.1 66% het pied
1.0 "labyrinth"

2.2 Other Pets:
Simon, Cooper--chihuahuas
Cleo--DSH cat
Piper--cockatiel

There could be several causes of them sneezing. They could be sick and that would be bad but it's more than likely they are being kept on a fragrant or dusty bedding which causes them to sneeze. We use lab grade aspen and for about the first day or so after cleaning the tubs, the rats sneeze alot.
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Josh & Krysty Hutto
J&K Reptiles

Various Ball Pythons:::

1.0 striped vanilla
1.0 spider
1.2 Citrus Ghost and hets
1.2 Albino and hets
2.3 het Pied
0.6 50% poss het pied
1.1 Pastel (male has additional gene going on with him)
a bunch of normal female breeders
a bunch of normal female holdbacks and several rescued normal males

0.1 columbian boa, she's a feeding monster, controls my
over production of rats, lol
0.1 brazilian rainbow boa, another rat eating monster
1.1 corns

a BAD dog is MADE not bred, support the American Pit Bull Terrier as the greatest breed of dogs on Earth!!!!!

I raised rats for quite a few years, both for show/pet and feeders. As long as the rats aren't showing nasal/eye discharge or a black crusty nose, and they seem overall alert and playful with eachother I wouldn't worry.

A lot of the time rats will sneeze after cleaning themselves, play, or like what was said before...dusty bedding.

You'll know when a rat is sick..they get a pitiful hunched over appearance and aren't interested in doing anything.

>>There could be several causes of them sneezing. They could be sick and that would be bad but it's more than likely they are being kept on a fragrant or dusty bedding which causes them to sneeze. We use lab grade aspen and for about the first day or so after cleaning the tubs, the rats sneeze alot.
>>-----
>>Josh & Krysty Hutto
>>J&K Reptiles
>>
>>Various Ball Pythons:::
>>
>>1.0 striped vanilla
>>1.0 spider
>>1.2 Citrus Ghost and hets
>>1.2 Albino and hets
>>2.3 het Pied
>>0.6 50% poss het pied
>>1.1 Pastel (male has additional gene going on with him)
>>a bunch of normal female breeders
>>a bunch of normal female holdbacks and several rescued normal males
>>
>>0.1 columbian boa, she's a feeding monster, controls my
>> over production of rats, lol
>>0.1 brazilian rainbow boa, another rat eating monster
>>1.1 corns
>>
>>
>>a BAD dog is MADE not bred, support the American Pit Bull Terrier as the greatest breed of dogs on Earth!!!!!