Vomiting in pets is often a cause for concern. Not only is it unpleasant for the pet but as owners it can be concerning there may be something wrong with them. If you are a rat owner however then vomiting should never be a concern. Why? Because, strictly speaking, rats cannot physically be sick!
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Why can’t rats be sick?
This is an interesting topic and one which scientists have been studying for a long time. Pet rats are from the rodent family. Scientists have been studying rodents for many years and have suggested a number of possible reasons why they can’t vomit.
Anatomical differences between rodents and other mammalian species are one possible reason. Rodents have been found to have a thinner muscle in their diaphragm, a long oesophagus compared to their body size, and a differing shape and placement to their stomach suggesting it would be hard for them to push food back up their oesophagus.
Neurological differences between rodents and other mammals have also been studied and it appears rodents lack the traditional ‘vomiting reflex’ and appear unable to coordinate a vomiting response.
Scientists believe the most likely reason rodents can’t vomit is due to an absent part of the brainstem which would normally stimulate the vomiting reflex in other mammals, but research is still ongoing in this field.
If you would like to read more about the research on this subject this article describes it in more detail.
I have seen my pet rat vomit, is it not actually vomiting?
Strictly speaking, no, the behaviour you are likely seeing is regurgitation. This is a passive process where non-digested food is moved into the oesophagus and out of the mouth without effort. In contrast, vomiting involves an active process of muscle contraction and coordinated brain response to expel partially digested and undigested contents out of the stomach with force.
Other things you may be witnessing that could appear like vomiting or regurgitation include choking and hypersalivation.
Why do rats choke?
This is often seen when a food particle or other substance is stuck in the oesophagus, as long as your rat can still breathe and it is not obstructing the airway it will often clear on its own. If your pet rat is struggling to breathe then this is an emergency; your vet should be contacted without delay.
If the choke is not resolving on its own after a short period of time your vet should also be contacted to check there is nothing else going on and to try and help relieve the obstruction if your rat is unable to do this themselves.
What causes hypersalivation in rats?
Hyper salivation is where excess saliva is produced in the mouth and is seen exiting the mouth as drool. This can contain food particles if your rat has food in their mouth when this occurs. This can often occur alongside choking or occur on its own. If it is happening regularly for no known reason it is advisable to get your pet examined by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issue.
Why do rats regurgitate?
Regurgitation is a behaviour seen in many species and can occur for a number of different reasons.
These can include diet issues, health conditions (such as muscle weakness) and diseases affecting the digestive system (including abnormal abdominal or thoracic pressures, blockages and strictures in the oesophagus). However, it is also important to consider behavioural issues. In some species regurgitation has been seen as a stress linked behaviour.
It is impossible to say for certain why your pet rat may be regurgitating without a physical examination by a veterinary surgeon and discussion with you about your pet’s health and behaviour. If your rat is regurgitating it is important to get them examined by a veterinary surgeon to rule out any potential underlying health conditions that regurgitation can be a symptom of.
Summary:
- Pet rats are unable to vomit due to anatomical and nervous system variations which differ to other species
- If you think you have seen your rat vomit you have likely witnessed regurgitation, choking or hyper salivation instead
- Regurgitation can occur for many reasons
- If your rat is regurgitating it is advisable to get your pet checked over by a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health conditions
Discussion