Do Rats Make You Sneeze?

If your pet rat is causing you to sneeze, you may have an allergic reaction to the allergens found in rats. The first step to treating your allergic reaction to rats is to find out what causes it. You can get a blood test or skin prick test done at an allergist. Both of these tests are noninvasive and provide a clear picture of the underlying cause of the allergy.

The coughing that your pet rat is exhibiting may be a sign of a respiratory infection or even a mycoplasma flare-up. The coughing may last a few days or even longer, depending on the severity of the infection. It is important to consult a doctor if the cough persists or if it has become chronic.

Some people have an allergy to rat dander, saliva, and droppings. They can cause respiratory problems and rashes. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, congestion, and sneezing. People who are allergic to rat droppings should avoid rat cages.

Rats can also carry other respiratory diseases, including bubonic plague, the ‘Black Plague’. Rats transmit this disease through their fleas. The disease is so serious that it’s been linked to epidemics in the Middle Ages. Rat infestations are also linked to typhus, a respiratory disease that affects humans.