Why Do Rats Hold Their Pee?
WouterRats hold their pee for several reasons. Most importantly, it is a way for rats to communicate with each other. Pee contains a lot of information, including age, social status, and stress levels. It is a natural instinct and is most noticeable in males. It begins around 50 days of age and diminishes after neutering.
Rats do not need to hold their pee indefinitely. They will hold it in for a certain amount of time, and then release it. This behavior occurs only when they feel comfortable. As a result, it is best to approach the rat slowly and without scaring it. It is also best to avoid holding the rat while it is eating, drinking, or taking a nap.
Rats are highly territorial animals and will mark females nearby with more urine. This behavior is influenced by testosterone in male rats. In addition, neutered rats will mark their territories less frequently than intact males. Females will also prefer males with high levels of testosterone, because they tend to be more fertile. But even when female rats are not in heat, they mark each other with more urine. This may mean that the females are selecting which males they want to mate with ahead of time. However, this hypothesis has not been proven, so further study is required.
Rats mark sites where they have eaten before. They also mark other rats’ territories. The scent of their urine attracts other rats. During the early stages of their lives, they prefer to eat at food sites where other rats have marked them. However, this behavior diminishes as the rats grow older.
