Rat Annoyance - Pets @ Home

[elliottreed]

So i went in for some hammy toys and bits, and fell in love with 2 male dumbo rats, don't usually buy pets from pets at home but they were so sweet sometimes you just can't resist! got them both home and popped them in their new house and had a flick through the "Keeping Rats" leaflet they give you at Pets at home, just as a checklist really as i'm a natural blonde and forget things!

As i was reading the " avoid using sawdust as this can cause nasal irritation and breathing problems " I noticed that the cute noise one of them was making was actually sneezing and he has been doing this all day, and rubbing his nose.

I was wondering if everyone's pets at home stores did it (housed them on sawdust)?
Might say something, it's advised not to use it in their store leaflet
but all rodents and rabbits etc, are kept on heaps of sawdust.

I'm sure his sneezing/coughing will stop now he's on newspaper (have never used sawdust), but as a shop who doesn't practice what they preach it's not v good is it !

I was going to ring them, but i thought i'd go in and show them it in writing in their leaflet lol.

[adamntitch]

my local pah keeps them or stuff its like cat litter but not made from wood more like material but looks like cat litter pellets

[elliottreed]

Yeah! spot on
paper material and less "dusty" flooring is much better
cat litter box filling is also good i hear
the affects are similar to geckos and sand dust etc (obviously not impaction) but you know what i mean.

am not going to take the rat back but am considering taking him in to show them how consistent his sneezing is while it's still strong.

i just feel sorry for the rats remaining

[neep_neep]

It's been policy to not keep rats on sawdust/woodshavings for years now. They do however still keep hamsters etc. on woodshavings, are you certain you saw the rats on it?

In fact, all stores have had a memo go round telling them to not even use the wood pellets, should be on carefresh, paper flakes or similar in store.

Did you only buy them today? If so, then sneezing is to be expected as they often sneeze when they are stressed out. If it doesn't settle within a week or so then it could be something underlying, but within the first few days of getting them home sneezing is to be expected

Hope that's helped a bit

[elliottreed]

thanks for that
100% certain it was sawdust
have just written a letter of complaint to the head office via the website so hopefully they'll do something.

2 sets of rats, male and female both in different tanks
i didn't realise about the settling in sneezing, but will certainly be showing them their own leaflet! haha

[Esarosa]

Just as a note, rats can sometimes sneeze quite a bit whilst they settle into their new environment due to stress. Could be due to the sawdust though too. Just keep an eye on them. Also listen out for any noises other than sniffing and squeeking. Any other noises (especially ones that sound similar to a guinnea pig) can be a sign of a respiratory problem which will need vet treatment. One of my rescues had this noise which actually sounded really cute, thought nothing of it at first then got advised to go to the vets with her. She needed some anti biotics and touch wood she's fine now.

Hopefully they'll both be fine though now they're on proper substrate and in a better environment. good luck with them and pics would be nice

[edit] silly me just saw that neep mentioned the nervous sneezing

[elliottreed]

thanks hun
will get pics soon!

and yeah, i have a feeling it could just be the settling in sneezes, but will listen out. im very maternal with my pets haha, any slight noise or bump and they'll be out on my lap getting a checkover hahaha

will keep you updated on any reply i get from the email i sent
x

[Marinam2]

Our P@H keeps them on wood pellets. I thought sawdust had been taken off the shelves. I havent seen it for ages.

Marina

[elliottreed]

it would seem stevenage is delayed....
if anyone is local, go have a look and say something
xxx

[fatratsandcheesekk]

i keep mine on paper based cat litter no sneezing ever since