Why do domestic rats lick their hands?

On forums and resources in the “question-answer” format, you can find a search for information from novice owners about why a rat licks its hands. Sometimes inexperienced “rat breeders” get scared, believing that something is wrong with them, or suggest that such habits are associated solely with the taste of food on their fingers.

A bit of zoopsychology

It has been proven that the ornamental rat is a social animal. Pets feel most comfortable in the company of other individuals. They tend to sleep, forming a single ball, compete for a treat, just play.

Life in society has formed certain patterns of behavior in rats. They touchingly look after each other, licking their tails and ears, combing out the skin. Such actions are reminiscent of childhood, when mom takes care of the kids. Group grooming means that the rat community is healthy, happy and has only positive emotions.

The smell of treats

The owner, who has the intoxicating aroma of rat treats on his hands or a piece of food stuck, can be sure that the pet will pay attention to this. Rats lick their hands, trying to finish the “yummy”. However, some owners thoroughly wash themselves before communicating with their pet, eliminating any odors, but the animals still tend to lick the skin. This is due to the behavioral characteristics of “packing” rodents.

Relationship with owner

Attachment to representatives of its own kind – a distinctive feature that distinguishes a domestic rat. This means that they can transfer this behavior to the owner, who feeds them and provides comfort.

When a rat licks its owner’s hands and hair, this indicates the rodent’s desire to care for a person. Most often, such an action is a response to scratching the cheeks and the scruff of the neck. Some individuals practice “biting”: they gently sort through their teeth and gently bite their fingers. This is an indicator of true love and affection of the animal to the owner. A number of individuals go further, licking their cheeks, ears and trying to polish the lenses of their glasses to a shine.

Not every domestic rat licks. “Loveness” depends on a number of factors:

• character of the animal;
• degree of love for the owner;
• the specifics of the interaction of the owner with the pet and the frequency of communication.

When a person has the desire and opportunity to devote considerable time to a pet, ruffles his fur, strokes, then the rodent will reciprocate and demonstrate complete trust and great love for the owner, writing him down as a member of his own flock.