Is Hector peeing? or marking?

1950 Views 10 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Vladina, Sep 21, 2011

jamesReid

Discussion Starter · Sep 19, 2011

Hey all you anties and uncles...

Question..

Right now hectors play area is my queen size bed. That will be changing on payday.. But I am broke till then and we have to make do with what we have..

My question is this... Hector runs around the bed sniffing and having a good rat time..

Here is a vido so you can see what I mean.. It's kinda dark but you can see him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtU04QpklMc

Well Hector does not poop on the bed at all.. He has not pooped on the bed since the first time we let him crawl around the bed. But what he does do is pee.. or maybe spray. Im not sure which he is doing.

In your opinion do you think he is peeing or running aroound marking his territory?

Thanks all...

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Storyseeker

· #2 · Sep 19, 2011

Boy rats are little piddle monsters. Yes, they will pee on everything they consider theirs, including you. Zmei is the only one of my rats who regularly urinates on me. He dribbles little drops of pee anywhere he crawls across me.

Think of it as a weird rat version of a love token. On the upside, I've never met a rodent whose urine was less offensive than a rat's urine.

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luvboyrats

· #3 · Sep 19, 2011

definitely marking, who could possibly have to pee that much? i used to only keep boy rats because I love them being so lazy and cuddly but you are going to get peed on nearly every step of the way. I have heard neutering reduces this but does not eliminate it. I always considered it a small price to pay, but then they weren't peeing on my bed!

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Vladina

· #4 · Sep 19, 2011

Yep, as Storyseeker says, think of the little pee drops as love tokens, heh heh. He is marking the bed (and you) as his territory. A nice compliment of course! And rat pee IS the least offensive of small animal urine for sure. Regarding the poops, Hector is a really good boy if he is not leaving any poops (or raisins, as people call them on the forum sometimes!) on your bed. My boys used to leave all kinds of little raisins on our bed during free play!

Our queen size bed ended up being our boys play area daily for as long as we had them. It is a great free play area for rats. And of course, they LOVE those blankies!

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breyer08

· #5 · Sep 19, 2011

Yep, that's one of the joys of owning male rats! :lol: It doesn't bother me at all, but what you should always remember is to wash your hands after handling him, because sometimes the urine can irritate your skin, especially if his toenails scratch you, too.

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Vladina

· #6 · Sep 19, 2011

Jimmie,
I saw your post on another thread about getting Hector some roommates and the back and forth about possibly adopting some from the poster who had all the babies, but I was going to ask, did it not work out that you were not able to get one of Hector's actual brothers from the pet store where Tonya's mom got Hector? I was wondering if he did not have any siblings when he was adopted or not, since rats that come from the same litter are the ideal situation, as they are already bonded together so closely. Just wondering if that was not an option for some reason?

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Blacksheep

· #7 · Sep 20, 2011

actually one of the things I learned when I did breed is that rats like to pee on things they like haha. He likes your bed, therefore he pees on it haha.

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jamesReid

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 20, 2011

Vladina said:
Jimmie,
I saw your post on another thread about getting Hector some roommates and the back and forth about possibly adopting some from the poster who had all the babies, but I was going to ask, did it not work out that you were not able to get one of Hector's actual brothers from the pet store where Tonya's mom got Hector? I was wondering if he did not have any siblings when he was adopted or not, since rats that come from the same litter are the ideal situation, as they are already bonded together so closely. Just wondering if that was not an option for some reason?

There was only one other rat in the cage and unfortunately he was gone when we went back. We want to adopt a couple new babies and would love to get them at a young age. Also if they are health boys i would love to help her as she is now stuck with 12 rats.. when she only wanted 1.. hehe. So as long as they get along with my boy Hector we would love them.

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Vladina

· #9 · Sep 20, 2011

Ahh I see! Aw, what a shame his buddy was gone when you went back.

I am sure it was probably his brother. But yes, taking some of the babies that I saw that need homes from the other post, that would be great and it would give Hector the company of rat friends, which would be great for him. You are right, the younger the rats, the easier it will be for introductions to go smoothly. I hope you are able to adopt them. Good luck!

P.S. You will definitely be needing a bigger ratty house for sure!

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jamesReid

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 20, 2011

Oh we have plans for a new rat house.. dont you worry about that.. I would never have my little guys live in a cramped cage.. We ae just waiting for payday.. And I do believe with the help of storyseeker on the weekend of November 5th & 6th we are adopting 3 of the furry little guys.. Makes me happy to help save and give a good home to them. So I was really happy to read luvboyrats' post saying that the rat mommy was doing such a great job with 14 little babys to feed... We are excited and cant wait!

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Vladina

· #11 · Sep 21, 2011

That is SO terrific that you are going to be able to give a few very needy babies a loving home, Jimmie. Nothing feels better than that! I know Hector will love having buddies to cuddle and play with. I am sure you are very excited!! It is a very generous and kind thing you are doing.

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