The Rat Lovers Club! ~MODS PLEASE LOCK!

[Sadies]

I think it's poisoness but I know beach wood is fine but expensive.

[~AlphaWolf~]

Eucalyptus isnt poisonous cause if it was you wouldnt be able to use it in oil and gum trees would be poisonous

[Kiliann]

No, that's not true, lots of animals and people can't eat eucalyptus. I'd just play it safe and not use eucalyptus, for the sake of your ratties.

[~AlphaWolf~]

Ok,if its eaten yes but you can touch it and that

[ratius]

Ok, thanks! I won't put it. ^^

[TheForumFairy]

apple and fruit trees are best

[ratigan]

I'm not sure if anyone can help with this but I have a question about one of my rat's fur.
She is a smooth coated rat. I believe she's a Siamese colour, I do have her birth certificate with her colour specifications but I can't quite remember the word for it at the moment.

When we got her, she had the normal markings - her nose and back end brown and the rest of her a creamy colour.
But as she's getting older her fur is changing a lot, and it's weird.
At first the brown on her back extended further up her back a bit. That's not really unusual, I think. But then she developed two white stripes within the brown, on either side. Kind of like a skunk's pattern.
Now, within the white stripes, it's going weird again. This time it is like.. it looks like the white is thinning and there is a dark/blackish undertone to it. If that makes sense.
I have no idea what is happening to her fur! Is this normal? :s

It is hard to take a photograph of it.. I made a quick 'diagram'


I don't think it is caused by any kind of parasite or whathaveyou. Neither of her sisters are affected, and it is appearing in a very specific pattern.

[Sadies]

Is dhe a younge rat? Because if she is and she is growing then her coat may change colors slightly and markings. Also when they get old their coats can change because my rats coat was brown and it began to grow white and grey hairs. I don't know what else could cause color change unless you bathe her and it's a reaction to the shampoo but i would had thought that would cause a skin rash instead. I would advise taking her to a vet if you are worried about her.

[TheForumFairy]

its probably cause shes getting old

[ratigan]

She is quite young but fully grown ^^
Okay, that makes sense. Thank you! I thought it was her coat just changing colour until I saw the part of her fur that looks a little like it's thinning or has black under it or something. But if that is normal then I guess there's nothing to worry about xD
I don't think we'll be taking her to a vet as other than the colour change she seems healthy :)