[Leiren]

As I stalk my rats tactics I notice he sneezes and scratches his ear alot.Ive checked for mites but I see nothing,and ive changed his bedding three times as far as the sneezing goes,is this normal or?He doesnt act sick or anything.

 

[SamsterAndRocky]

ve changed his bedding three times

just changed his bedding or switched to a differant bedding?

what kind of bedding is it?

 

[Leiren]

Well I had cedar bedding at first,but then I read it wasnt a good idea,so I changed it the day after I put it in.I changed it to CareFresh Color Pet Bedding..and he was still ruffling around in it and sneezing,and now its Carefresh Ultra White Pet Bedding.

 

[mopydream44]

well i've heard the color bedding isn't great for them either but if he's still sneezing you should take him to a vet.

You can also try yesterdays news. Also look around the cage. Is there anything with a strong scent? Is the cage by an air freshener?

 

[Leiren]

No but in the mornings when I wake up I spray Freebreeze,but it says its pet friendly AND I never spray it around or at his cage.Only on my bed and such.And whats wrong with color bedding?

 

[renay]

Mites aren't visible to the naked eye, he could very well have mites.

 

[Forensic]

Frebreeze has always smelled strongly to me.

It won't kill them, but it's possibly an irritant.

 

[mopydream44]

I honestly can't remember where I read it but I think the color bedding is worse for them.....but it's carefresh, which is a good brand so i dunno. I'll try to find the info!

 

[Leiren]

Hmm then I think i'll lay off the frebreeze.Do you think giving him a bath would help if he did have mites or something?Or should I just go ahead and look into getting him to a vet for the scratching?

 

[renay]

...bathing him will definately not get rid of the mites, so yes if all signs point to mites then vet care is necessary i believe.

 

[Leiren]

I dont see any irritation though.

 

[JennieLove]

Just changing the bedding so aften can be causing yoru ratties to sneeze. New smells tend to do that. Just stick to one and wait for a few days or a week and see how that goes. If your rattie is STILL sneezing and scrtaching his/her ear I would suggest taking him/her to the vets.