Do rats sense emotion?

[Bravo-4]

I was just wondering this, because my little girl fell off her bike and broke her wrist, it is in a cast now and she is OK but my two rats seem to be paying alot of attention to her hurt hand, they wont stop licking and sniffing the hurt arm, almost like they sense that it is hurt. Has anyone else experienced this type of behavior???

[Scary Harry]

I don't know if they sense it but I do know that any time I have a band-aid on a finger, they try to remove it.  I had nose surgery last month and Ernie worked feverishly to get at my nose to remove the cast that was on it!

[Chic 2000]

Sounds like they know.  Animals have a knack for sensing what is wrong with us.  Even if its not as apparent as broken bones.  Dolfins can communicate with sick and disabled childeren and adults.  Dogs and potbelly pigs can litteraly sniff out cancer.  Some pets can sense an impending stoke, heart attack, or epileptic fit in humans.  And they always seem to want to help.  Guess they are returning the favor of keeping them healthy and happy.

[scout]

Mine never seem to notice, but I've heard other people talk about their rats being able to sense when they're sad. A couple of my rats took care of their cagemates when they were ill, also. So I suspect rats do take care of those they are bonded to and your ratties are taking care of your daughter. I imagine your daughter will improve quickly with such wonderful little nurses.

[Grace Jr]

Like most other animals (except hamsters of course ), rats can sense illness and emotion in people.  When I'm upset my girls and Joey (cat) are always more attentive to me, and pay special attention to my face.  The new boys aren't closely bonded with me yet, but they are getting there.  If another species has a special bond with a human, they are very intune with that person, and can sense the slightest change in attitude.  Course, makes it easier for them that we give off different odors depenidn on our moods...

[Meld]

I am pretty sure that animals can sense emotion, actually I'm almost positive they can.  Back about 3 years ago I had to give up a cat I had had for about a year and a half and the day I was taking her to her new home I was crying so hard and she just layed in my lap and let her pet me for about 2 hours.  This in itself isn't strange, but this cat never let me hold her in my lap for more then 5 minutes at a time but this time she just layed there as if she knew something was wrong.

Last night when Kahlan died I took Madison out of the cage to spend some time with her because I thought we both needed some comferting she just layed on me and let me pet her for the longest time.  This is not usual for her because she's usually a ball of energy and never sits still.  I'm pretty sure she knew something was wrong and that her sister wasn't coming back

[WS]

I'm absolutely positive that rats sense emotion. I've been a rat fanatic for almost twenty years and I've kept a lot of rat friends and have witnessed examples of rats sensing illness, pain and emotions from me and others that they've bonded with.   Sometimes the reactions are of concern and the rats try to be protective and sometimes the reactions are agitation or fear. -- But they definitely sense changes in our emotions as well as our health.   Rats are social animals and as such are tuned in to other members of the group so I'm not surprised that they do.... it's just an amazing thing that is more often expected from larger companion animals like cats and dogs.
Animals sense physiological changes in other animals (like us) in amazing ways that we don't fully understand. Dogs can sense when someone is going to have a seizure, for example.

Not all of my rats have been tuned into my feelings but most have...especially those I've bonded closely with. One example that I can think of is that I had a very bad accident and was pretty badly hurt. While I was on bed-rest, my family would bring my best rat buddy out to see me. - Normally he loved to tear around and climb and play... he was still a little young and not keen to cuddle. - But when I was sorta out of commission, my little rat would sit on me very quietly for long periods of time (usually on my chest) and if I was very sad... he'd pay all kinds of attention to my face.  I could see a dramatic change in his demeanor around me during those times.

[Vouivre]

i'm pretty sure they do!
One of my rats was out of its cage and my mum came in and wasnt looking where she was going, then guess what? the poor rattie came running out from it's hidey hole and got stepped on! i seriously thought it was gonna have to be put down because it couldnt walk, was shaking, and its back was arched down kinda squashing its legs.
Anywayz back to the point. I was sitting beside it and crying while waiting to take it to the vet. And it wobbled over to me and rested its head in my hand and stayed like that until we left.
i dont know if it was because it was trying to confort me or because it was scared itself.

it turned out to be ok anyway, was just in shock or had a dead leg maybe? my mum was relieved, she thought i was gonna hate her or something.

[ratchick24]

i'm also very sure of them being able to sense our emotions and pain...ive keep ratties for over 12 yrs, and every time ive ever been really depressed, or i injured myself, they have been there for me....they are like the greatest friends i have ever had.....my rats try to pull bandaids off me too....and they tried to chew off my cast from my broken foot! but when ya need them, they are always there....

[gabrielle1976]

I imagine your daughter will improve quickly with such wonderful little nurses.

I just had the funniest image of rats in those old fashoind white nurses caps LOL

[JulesDoug]

If they do they are one up on my husband..LOL

[EaglesEye Rattery]

Yes- my rats are usually much more gentle with me and will cuddle and groom me more when I am sick or hurt.  

From my experience Rats are alot like dogs.  They are social animals who form organised groups and can sense differnt moods and feelings.  

[Yresim]

Almost every rat I've ever had seemed to be able to sense emotions.  If I was sad, they would comfort and lick me.  If I was especially happy, they would be exceptionally playful.  And when I was angry, they never wanted to be held (they usually just didn't even try to "talk" to me).  

The only exception was the one boy I had.  He must have been the dumbest rat (possibly the dumbest animal) in the world.  He would hurt himself, squeal & pout, do the same thing again, hurt himself, squeal & pout, etc.  We finally had to remove the wheel (catching his toes), the bell (bonking his nose), and the branch (poking himself).  We also sealed the side door completely shut (he would push it up a tiny bit, shove his nose in it, then get his nose hit by the door when he pulled out suddenly.  I never was able to figure out a way to get him to stop accidentally draining his water bottle all over himself.  Although pathetic, he was pretty funny.

[mustang_grl143]

I dont know but they are always there for me when I need them

[amymckee]

My girls will rarely sit still, let alone sit on my lap. When I am feeling really bad or crying, they will be much more snuggly, and even sit on my lap. My kisser also gives extra kisses.