Rat Noises
I added 2 rats to my family on Wednesday. They are approx 5 or 6 week old babies, both boys from same litter. They have settled in great, confident enough to sniff my hand etc. Today one of them has started making a noise, sort of grunting/squeeking, kinda sounds a bit like a hyena laugh. When he started doing this, I had just taken the box he sleeps in out of the cage to replace it with a nice fresh clean one (they only seem to be urinating in the box/bed, so it needs replacing every couple of days). Is he scared or upset that I took the box away and replaced it? (I put some of the old bedding in the new box so there scent is still there) or is there another reason for his noise making? his brother hasn't uttered a sound.
Both were vet checked on thrusday and are healthy.
Thanks
Answers:There is nothing to worry about. These noises you hear is just the animals communicating with one another, they may have been scared, starttled, or just making noise, I wouldnt worry
Hmm. That is strange. Rats don't usually make too much noise.
It was probably a little startled that you took his box. If he doesn't look odd when he doesn it, its probably not a big deal (especially since your vet said they were good).
Rats, if they make noise, is usually out of excitement when fighting or playing, and not due to any kind of health problem. I wouldn't worry too much. :)
im not to sure from the way you described it but if it was grinding its teeth then its happy..sorta like a cat purring.
he could be upset that you took the house out or he could just be laughing. if they only seem to urinate in that one spot put a litter box there and try litter training them.