Pet Rats: Understanding Common Rat Behavior and Body Language - A Rat /People dictionary

I'm about to take you" behind the scenes" into the rat mind. You could say this is a Rat /People dictionary on Rat behavior.

If you pay careful attention to the things I'm about to reveal to you, you'll definitely have more success with your pet rat.

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Firstly...what's a Rat Stare?

Pet Rats: Understanding Common Rat Behavior and Body Language - A Rat /People dictionary

What's a Rat Stare I hear you ask?

Do your rats have a disturbing habit? Do they stare straight ahead for long periods of time?

Is it rather unnerving to see them staring, unmoving, with their eyes wide open for hours on end.

Do your ratties see dead people? Is it a sixth sense thing?

Don't fret your not the only one. For anyone that's owns(ed) a rat this is this normal rat behavior.

The Rat Stare and other rat behavior's and body language are explained in this issue.

Pet owners often speak to their "babies" in human baby talk, but as with any animal (as smart as they are!) you're probably better off understanding your rats' behavior by their body language. With rats in particular, there are telltale signs that they will demonstrate, and that you will be able to interpret successfully.

The following are some of the typical things that owners of pet rats have witnessed their buddies doing from time to time. Some are funny, some may be a little frightening...but rest assured that most of it is just your usual rattie's behavior!

Note: these rat behaviors are generally perfectly normal of rats that are healthy and well socialized, with no current, apparent medical problems (they are active and their diets and bowel movements are normal). If your rat isn't eating right, has improper bowel movements or is demonstrating other unusual or destructive behavior - consult a small animal vet or your rats' breeder immediately.

Body Language -

Your one rat curls up its tail (while your other rat doesn't)

Possible Reasons:

Your rat is simply balancing itself. A rat's tail is for balance - even if one rat seems to use their tail more. Watch and you'll see both rats keep their tails ½" off the ground, particularly when they are balancing on your shoulder or climbing up to a higher space.

Body Language -

Your rat stands up and 'swings' its nose in the air Your rat sways its head from side to side.

Possible Reasons:

Your rat is catching a whiff! Rats have incredible senses of smell, and they are just identifying something in the air that is intriguing to them.

Rats don't have superior vision. Never fear, your rat can see - but sight isn't it's strongest sense, making this normal behavior part of your rat's vision process.

Body Language -

Your rat is licking you all the time.

Your rat is grinding their teeth in your ear!

Your rat's eyeballs are bugging out of their head!

Possible Reasons:

Face it - you're one big rat to them!

That's actually a big compliment to you, and all of those behaviors (teeth "bruxing" and eye 'boggling') mean that your rat loves you and will try to groom you like a true companion (they probably also like the taste of salt of your skin!).

These are some common rat behaviors and rat body language people have questions about, and experienced with their pet rat. These explanations I have provided will guarantee to help you understand your little buddy(s) and ensure you are a successful rat owner.

Pet Rats: Understanding Common Rat Behavior and Body Language - A Rat /People dictionary

Diana Davidson is author of a new neat book on pet rat care which is a great resource that contains information you wouldn’t find at your local library. For lots more pet rat care information, tips, quirky and interesting facts, and answers to your questions visit Diana’s site at [http://www.rattiesecrets.com/].

Most Common Dog Seizure Symptoms

This brief guide is intended to help you identify dog seizure symptoms so that you can save your dog's life in case of emergency.

A seizure can be defined as the body experiencing muscle contractions and shaking uncontrollably and aggressively. The cause of seizures is often unknown. Your best defense is to be able to recognize the dog seizure symptoms listed below. By knowing your dog well, you should be able to identify normal and abnormal behavior.

Dog

4 Common Dog Seizure Symptoms

When something in the brain triggers the neurological system, a dog will experience a seizure, which is a disorder of the brain. The seizure can last anywhere from a few moments to several minutes. Viruses or diseases do not cause seizures. Dog seizures often occur because of epilepsy. Here are some symptoms that are common to dog seizures. Your dog may show one or more of the following symptoms:

1. Your dog starts to defecate, urinate or salivate uncontrollably.
2. Your dog starts to hallucinate.
3. Your dog starts to bark excessively and gnaw at his limbs or paws.
4. Your dog no longer responds to your commands.
5. Your dog suffers from involuntary muscle contractions, whether isolated or affecting his entire body.

Is your dog in danger during a seizure? He should be fine as long as he is lying on the ground. Even though his body is having convulsions, his tongue will not block his airway so he will be able to breathe. Don't bother putting your hand down his throat to try and clear his airway. The dog could inadvertently bite you if you do.

What should you do? Call your local vet immediately and don't try to diagnose the problem by yourself. Your dog is in need of immediate attention from a veterinarian who knows how to deal with seizures. By recognizing dog seizure symptoms, you can help save your dog's life, but you still need a vet to take care of him as soon as possible.

Try to have phone numbers for more than one vet if you can. Identify one or two local emergency animal care centers in your area and keep these numbers handy. You can post these numbers next to your veterinarian's phone number and address or stick them on the fridge door. If you have some free time, it's always a good idea to drive to the local animal hospital so that you know how to get there in case of emergencies or if your dog experiences a seizure.

Once you take your dog to the veterinarian, he or she will normally prescribe some medication to help keep your dog relaxed and stable. The prescribed treatment may last anywhere from one or two weeks to the rest of your dog's life. This type of medication normally needs to be taken regularly and most veterinarians will avoid medicating a dog for life unless he experiences seizures on a regular basis.

Most Common Dog Seizure Symptoms

About this Author

If you enjoyed this article and if you want to learn more about your dog's health, then visit Dani' blog ==> dog health problems.

Tip: If you would like to learn how to deal with minor dog health problems BEFORE they become major ones, check out my review about the best dog health book on the Internet and discover how you could save a lot of money on vet bills.

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