sneezing..worried

Question
i just got my rat mocha yesterday. Every time i take her out i her her sneeze
over and over and over. i am not sure if she sneezes when she is in the cage
but i worry she might be ill because she sneezes constantly.

Answer
Hi Liza


It is really normal for a new rat to sneeze when you first get them. They sometimes are kept on pine or cedar litter in dirty tanks instead of cages where they should be and this causes some irritation. When they get to their new home, they start to feel better by being cared for properly and they sneeze for sometimes a few weeks trying to rid their nasal passages of all of the irritants.

Also, when you handle a scared rat, their histamine levels can rise kind of like adreline does. THis makes them sneeze. WHen you put them down and they go hide, the sneezing subsides.

What kind of litter is she on now?

How old is she?

Is she eating and drinking ok?

Does she have energy or does she seem lethargic?

Do you have a vet in mind for her just in case she should need to see one? If not,check out my site about Vets and you can find one in your area by clicking the link to the AEMV.

Also be sure to look over the rest of the site, from the getting started page etc..to find out fun and informative things about caring for rats. Also you can get good ideas for toys and how to make playtime better. If she is shy, there is even a page on shy or biting rats on how to train them.
Please let me know the answers to the few things I asked above to be sure she is not sick.  Thanks!