Vibrations

[kyssyfur]

Ok, My rat does something wierd.  When I hold him, he sometimes starts to vibrate.  He doesn't make any noise and he isn't grinding his teeth, so what is he doing?  

[lilspaz68]

How old is your rat?  If he's scared or a bit nervous they sometimes feel like they are vibrating.  I have a year old girl who does that occasionally.

[scrubjay]

Mine sometimes vibrate when they are sitting quietly on my shoulders, even when they don't seem afraid or nervous.  I just have grown to believe it's another interesting rat thing that I haven't completely deciphered yet.

[LuvRats2]

I know my girl rat vibrates when she's in heat - do boy rats? lol.

LR2

[scrubjay]

hmmm.  Mine are all boys.

[kyssyfur]

Mine is a male also.  I am just convinced that he is trying to "shake" my germs off of him.   

[Selmasongs]

My girls vibrate when i pet their backs gently. i think they are in heat though.LOL

I'm sure it's nothing to be worried about. Maybe he is in heat?

[mcb]

Maybe he's nervous??
I've noticed that with my girls, when they're in heat (I think), they make some funny moves....like little bunnies, or tiddly-winks.....(those little plastic circled chips that when pressed against eachother they..."hop"). The girls also lower their hind quarters as low as they'll go when petted, then quiver with delight, and suddenly dash away only to immediately return to do it all over again. Funny!
Hope that helps?

[kyssyfur]

Thanks for all of your help.  i learned today that my rat actually likes me so he can make all the wierd vibrations he wants to!

[angelratgirl]

i have learned that sometimes this vibration means they have to go potty, but don't want to do it on mommy. so it is essentially the ratty version of the potty dance.

next time you feel the vibration, put your rat back in his cage for a bit and see if he doesn't run for the potty corner and get a look of concentration on his face for a bit...

[kyssyfur]

I will defiantly try that bathroom trick next time mine guy starts to vibrate.  However, I don't think that is it.  Until a few days ago, he didn't even acknowledge me so I highly doubt it would bother him to pee on me!   

[robinstar1989]

ok i officially love the search button. i was like ahhhhh my rat is vibrating. and then i searched and found this thread. TGFS. Thank G-d for Search.