Licking my skin

[Svenna]

Cashew licks my skin every chance she gets, especially my arms. Is this a sign that she is missing a nutrient or vitamin, or does she just think I taste good?

[mandycoot]

Take it as a compliment! She's grooming you, a sign that she's accepted you as "one of the rats."

Of course, you could also taste good too.

[Svenna]

I figured it was a happy thing, but was wondering if maybe she had some weird salt defiency or something. Glad to know it just means that she likes me.

[babyd3578]

Yippie for licky rats. All 6 of mine will lick however our babies lick the most. Everytime I take them out they just spend forever licking me all over. Hands, arms, face. They lick themselves and then me an then back to them.

[artemish]

Yep, one of my boys loves to lick me too. He can't sit still for a petting, but when he's out of the cage, he'll come around every so often and lick my hands.

I had another sweetie, who, even when he was very sick and at the vet, licked the hands of the vet and his assistant. He was a total lovey. None of my girl rats were ever that sweet, it seems, but it's been a while since I had them.

[sharper43]

Very good!
I only have 1 rat that gives me licks, Luna.  But I have gotten 1 lick from Mocha recently, maybe she's finally starting to come around.  But mostly Luna gives me licks whenever she can

[Mononoke]

is it really a grooming thing? it seems more like a tastey thing! lol

river used to be the only one who'd lick me, all the time. but now moose has gotten into it too. its so cute to see their little tongues haha

[Kimmiekins]

Aww, it's a good thing indeed!

I love rattie licks. Some of our boys do it. Some don't. Some get really into it... licking a whole hand.