Grumbling rat

Question
Hi Sandra,
I have two female Dumbo rats aged about 6 months. One of them makes a strange sound sometimes, it sounds like she is having a good grumble about something. The first time I noticed it my Mum was holding her, as soon as I put my arm up and she had walked back on to me she stopped. She seems to do it more in the evening, mostly when she is in the cage, rather than being handled. Any ideas what this noise is about? I'm a bit concerned as it doesn't sound like a 'happy' sound.

Answer
Without hearing what your rat is doing for myself, let me leave you with the following information.

Rats talk among themselves but at a level that we humans can't hear. Audible noises to us are bruxing, squeaking, shrieking, etc. and result from strong emotions from fear to contentment.

Is she grinding her teeth together? We call this bruxing and is for the most part a sign of contentment. If the rat is obviously sick bruxing is like one who would whistle to make herself feel better. A pig grunting/guinea pig grunting/coffee percolator sound is most definitely Mycoplasmosis and needs to be checked out by a vet.

I have had rats that are silent until you handle them at which time their excitement makes them make the grunting sound. This is because their nasal passages are stuffed up and makes it harder for them to breathe. This is Myco. In an unexcitable state they can remain silent even if they are sick.

I have a motto when it comes to my animals: "When in doubt, have it checked out.

Type
"Mycoplasmosis in pet rats" in your search engine to find out more about this very common respiratory disease in rats.

Type
"Rat Behavior and Biology" in your search engine to find out more about rat behavior and their vocalizations.

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