[ratbasket]

My female rats have just started marking my hands, is this their way of complimenting me? like I'm part of their pack?

 

[Jessiferatu]

Yeah, I think they're pretty much saying "mine!" when they do that. Lol.

 

[2ratshack]

It is a compliment! Rats can't see very well, so they are peeing on you so that they can find their way back to you by tracking their own pee smell.

 

[Phile]

I have seen most rat behaviors and symptoms interpreted somewhere or another as a sign of affection--I would put marking in that category. Or our girls really like to dole out compliments : )

 

[spysquid]

Yeah my girl Arya is pretty much the only one that marks (that I can tell) now that my boys are neutered. She is pretty possessive of me and will mark my hand and then lick me if I'm petting the other rats when she wants attention. Like "um, excuse me I think you have the wrong rat. THIS is the rat you want."