My rat pees on me when held.

Question
Hi Becky, my problem is that whenever I hold, Lucy, my rat and she's walking around on my hands or arms or whatever, she leaves a trail of pee on my skin as she walks. She's never peed like a puddle on me before, it's just light peeing as she walks. Someone told me it might be because she's scared but I don't think that's the case. Lucy isn't scared of me as far as I know, she lets me kiss her nose so obviously she trusts me. I just wanted to know if this is something you've heard of happening and if there's anything I can do about it? I must admitt, I haven't really been handling her too much since I noticed this was happening. She's a sweet little animal and it breaks my heart to leave her in her cage all the time. Well, thank you for your time.

Answer
Three things could be happening with Lucy. One, she has a bladder/urinary track infection, and needs to see a vet to be put in antibiotics. Second thing could just be marking, like boys some times do, saying that you are hers. Girls don't usually do it though. Try washing your hands and arms before you pick her up, especially if you have been touching other rats, especially boy rats. Third thing is Diet. What are you feeding her, especially 10 minutes before you take her out? Things that act as a diuretic for people, like apples, grapes, things like that, also work the same for rats, as in makes them pee more. Try feeding her AFTER you play with her.

Hope this helps Lucy. Good luck.