The Mischief Body:
Physical Health, Nutrition & Care

Routine Health Checks

At Misty’s Mischief, we believe that good health starts with good habits. While you’ll notice any obvious signs of illness or injury during your daily handling, it’s still a great idea to do a gentle, systematic health check on a regular basis. It helps you catch subtle changes early and gives you peace of mind knowing your rats are thriving.

Personally, I do a weekly health check for each of my rats right after a deep cage clean—it's the perfect moment as I return them to their fresh setup. If you’ve adopted from Misty’s Mischief, you might remember the “look, listen, feel” method I walked you through. It’s a simple but powerful way to stay in tune with your rats’ wellbeing.

If you haven’t visited our Rattery, don’t worry—this guide is a great starting point. Whether you're new to rat care or looking to build a more consistent routine, this list explains what to check, and what to watch out for.

By regularly monitoring your rat’s health—just a few minutes each week can make a big difference in catching early signs that a vet visit should be scheduled.

Download your Parasite Checklist

External Parasites in Pet Rats🐭

Keep your mischief itch-free and healthy with these simple tips.

External parasites like mites, lice, and fleas are uncommon but can affect even well-cared-for rats. The best prevention? Keep their cage and environment clean, deep clean weekly, and use flea and tick treatments regularly on your other pets.

Common Parasites

Mites are the most frequent. Look for scabs on ears or tails, especially if multiple rats are itchy.
Lice cause fur loss and scratching, often around the neck and shoulders.
Fleas are rare and usually come from other pets.

Diagnosis & Treatment

Itchiness can also stem from allergies, so a vet check is essential. Mites are often treated with Revolution or Ivermectin, even if tests are inconclusive. Lice and fleas respond to similar treatments. Always follow your vet’s guidance as sometimes a follow-up course of treatment is recommended.

Cleaning Tips

If parasites are suspected:

Deep clean (hot wash) and disinfect the cage and all accessories
Discard cardboard or wooden items
Clean carpets and soft furnishings thoroughly with a pet-specific cleaner

Skin Infections

Scratching or grooming can lead to infections, especially in older or immune-compromised rats. Watch for inflamed skin, abscesses, or lumps — these may need antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

With good hygiene and prompt care, external parasites are easy to prevent and treat. Ask your breeder or vet if you are concerned.

Rat Body Language and Behavior

Don't let their small size fool you. Rats can say a lot for such small creatures. You might be able to figure out what your pet rat is trying to tell you just by watching his body language.

Tools for communicating

Rats often use scent to talk to each other (scent trails) you might be able to spot the scent marks that rats leave behind.

Squeaks and Cries

Most of the time, people can hear the sounds rats make when they are in pain, sick, or angry. Extreme fear or pain causes rats to make loud squeaks (screams) we can hear.

Short or long, whiny squeaks are a sign that a rat is upset about something, like another rat bothering it or stealing its food. Recent studies show that rats may be able to laugh by squeaking, but humans can't hear these sounds because they are too high-pitched. Thank goodness, their body language is easy to understand.

That Nosy Rat!

Rats are naturally curious, so when they see something interesting, curiosity takes over. They'll stand on their back legs, look around, sniff the air, and move their ears forward.

Rats might even stare and sway their heads slowly (especially those with pink eyes!). Some people might be surprised by this behaviour, but it's just the rat's version of a squint. Rats can't see well and don't have a sense of depth. By moving their heads, they can get a better look at what they're trying to see.

How to tell if a rat is mad

You shouldn't ignore a rat's angry body language, such as a swishing tail. When fighting for fun, the swishing tail is a sign of excitement, but when fighting for real, it shows anger, fear, and aggression. If you see a rat demonstrate aggressive behaviour you should safely remove the rat from the cause of concern.

When rats are excited, they can wag their tails, short twitches usually indicate they are planning an adventure.

When a rat is scared or uncertain, it will shrink back and move its ears back and forth.

Rats demonstrate they don't want something by using their front paws to push away, like a snack, or when they don't want to be petted. Often, they just turn their backs and leave you alone.

When you shouldn't touch rats

Be aware that your rat's fur may puff out if it's cold, scared, angry, or sick. This is one way rats demonstrate anger. If a rat is angry or afraid it may will puff up its fur and arch its back. If you try to pick him up now, he might try to bite you. If the rat is trying to hurt another rat, you should separate them as soon as possible. You can pick up the rat in a towel to make it less likely that it will bite you, but keep in mind that a rat that is sluggish and puffy may be sick.

Boggling & Bruxing

Rats are very social animals who can show affection. To show how much they love you, they might even lick you or another rat. When a rat is completely happy and at ease, it will grind its teeth and make a soft noise. If he likes you, he might clench his teeth (called "bruxing") or let his eyelids pop (called "boggling"). So, when you pick up your rat and see that his jaw moves or his eyes googly, you can be sure that he is a happy, contented rat.

It's getting warmer!

Romance may be clear in a rat's life when a male rat chases after other female rats and tries to mount them.

Female rats have even more obvious signs when they are in heat, which can happen every 4-5 days. The female rat on heat often gets more animated than usual, and their ears often look like a blur because they flap (vibrate) so quickly. When a female is in heat, she may also “freeze” on the spot and arch her back when touched on the lower back. She may also jump suddenly when touched ("popcorning") Some people say that this is the most reliable sign that a female rat is in her heat cycle.

Health Spotlight: Mycoplasma

What it is, how it affects your Mischief, and what you can do

Mycoplasma pulmonis (often just called “myco”) is one of the most common respiratory conditions in pet rats. It’s caused by a bacterium that targets the respiratory tract, and while many rats carry it without symptoms, it can flare up under stress or poor environmental conditions — leading to chronic illness.

What Is Mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma pulmonis is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs, sinuses, and middle ears of rats. Unlike many bacteria, mycoplasma lacks a cell wall, which makes it harder to treat and more persistent in the body. It is present in most pet fancy rats but only causes health issues when their immune systems are compromised or due to environmental factors. It’s not curable, but symptoms can be managed with proper care, clean environments, and veterinary support.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms can vary depending on the rat’s age, immune system, and environment. Watch for:

Sneezing or snuffling sounds
Porphyrin staining (red discharge) around eyes or nose
Labored breathing or wheezing
Weight loss or reduced appetite
Lethargy or reduced activity
Head tilting or balance issues (if the middle ear is affected)

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to consult a vet familiar with small animals.

Prevention & Management

While you can’t eliminate mycoplasma from a rat’s system, you can reduce flare-ups and improve quality of life:

Keep cages clean and dry — ammonia from urine can irritate the lungs
Use low-dust bedding — avoid dusty substrate, opt for kiln dried and dust exctracted pine or aspen, or compressed paper pellets.
Avoid scented products — no air fresheners, candles, or sprays near the cage
Minimize stress — gentle handling, stable routines, and bonded companions help
Ensure good ventilation — but avoid direct drafts from fans or windows
Provide a balanced diet — nutrition supports immune health

Treatment Options

Your vet may prescribe:

Antibiotics (e.g. doxycycline or enrofloxacin) to manage bacterial load
Bronchodilators or anti-inflammatories to ease breathing
Supportive care like fluids, soft foods, and warmth

Early intervention is key. Rats with chronic myco can still live happy lives with the right support.

Living with Myco

Many rats with mycoplasma live full, joyful lives — especially when their environment is clean, stress-free, and enriched. At Misty’s Mischief, we prioritize breeding from healthy lines and educating adopters about respiratory care.

If you suspect your rat may be showing symptoms of mycoplasma, contact your breeder and/or a small-animal vet as soon as possible. Early support can make a big difference in your rat’s comfort and wellbeing.

Demoleo & Dido
Here is a short video of Demoleo showing the enlarged skull and thin body.

Health Spotlight: Hydrocephalus in Rats

A personal story from our D litter (September 2022)

While registered breeders work hard to produce healthy, well-tempered rats, sometimes health issues can still arise — even with the best care and planning.

In September 2022, our “D litter” from Anaita and Darwin included two babies who stood out. They weren’t runts, but their bodies were noticeably slimmer than their siblings, and their heads appeared slightly enlarged. Based on their appearance and coordination, I suspected hydrocephalus — a condition that typically presents within the first four weeks of life and is often hereditary.

What is Hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus (or “hydro”) is a neurological condition where cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain, causing pressure and an enlarged, egg-shaped head. You can read more about the condition on Rat Guide.

Vet Visit & Diagnosis

I brought the entire litter — along with their mum — to our trusted vet. After a thorough check-up, two of the eleven babies were confirmed to have hydro. They were slightly smaller, less coordinated, and had visibly larger heads. Despite this, they were eating, drinking, grooming, and interacting normally.

The vet assured me that neither baby was in pain and that some rats with mild hydrocephalus can live relatively normal lives. With that in mind, I brought the whole mischief home to give them the best chance possible.

That evening, we had a joyful play session. The two affected babies — Demoleon and Dido — climbed, explored, and played alongside their siblings.

Saying Goodbye 💜

Sadly, Demoleon passed away the next day and Dido followed a week later. They were buried together in a planter with white lavender, to this day I cannot walk past it without remembering how affectionate they both were. Though their time was short, they were loved, enriched, and surrounded by family.

Compassionate and ethical rat breeders. Sustainably 3D‑printed accessories, wholesome rat food.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse

The Mischief Body: Physical Health, Nutrition & Care