Why Do Rats Lose Hair?
WouterIf you have a rat and notice that it has lost its hair, you may want to consult with a veterinarian to determine the cause of the condition. Rats can experience hair loss for various reasons, including genetics, parasites, and severe bullying. There are also ways to prevent rat baldness.
If you find a rat’s hair to be dry, this may be a sign of eczema or an overabundance of essential fatty acids. You can treat eczema by using a topical steroid shampoo or cream. However, this treatment may require continued treatment. It is important to know that a rat with dermatitis will not be able to groom itself normally. This condition causes the tail to appear scaly and will lead to a discolored tail.
Another sign that your rat is losing hair is the presence of moult marks. These are caused by the shedding of the animal’s old hair. It takes around four weeks for a rat to go through a moult. During this time, the animal needs a lot of nutrients to help it shed its old hair. Without these nutrients, it will simply remain stuck in the moult.
Besides shedding hair, your rat may also suffer from a variety of parasites. Various types of internal parasites lead to a lack of amino acids, which in turn affects the rat’s ability to produce hair. Mites and parasites also damage the hair follicles and accelerate the process of hair loss in your rat.
