My two rats seem to be scratching more than usual. They look at little scabby and there are some things that look like little spots or something but they aren't missing any fur.

They have ripped up clothing for bedding that is hot washed without powder after use. Their claws are clipped. They have never had any contact with the outside world to pick anything up and I have changed them onto dried food in case it is allergy related.

Has anyone got any ideas what it could be? They don't seem to bothered by it but I'd like to stop it before it becomes a problem.

Thanks :)

It sounds like your rats have mites, they need the vet as soon as possible as the mite are very painful..... and animals can even die from stress because of the pain and itching.
I believe the mites are always present on the rats but "break out" when the rat is stressed in some way, such as illness, age or some other reason, the vet just gives i think 2 injections at weekly intervals and the problem clears really quickly.

I too would suspect mites

Get them to the vet :thumbsup:

I heard if it's mites you can get a shampoo for it - is that wrong?

Not sure about the shampoo, the injections are best in my opinion they really do work and fast.

How much do they cost?

Brude had a shampoo for mites, but it's a peroxide one and was a prescription product - and he's a dog not a small furry

have a look through Harley's threads (by Sooz) and see what he (as a bunny) was treated with

Will do thanks :).

If I can treat them without a vet it would be better as I don't have a car and want to limit the amount of stress they are subjected to.

I don't know the cost now sorry, it's a good few years since i kept rats but it didn't used to be to bad price wise.