Why Do Rats Wag Their Tails?

Rats may wag their tails when they are happy or nervous. They can also wag their tails when they are unable to find food or water or they are being picked on. Rats wagging their tails in these situations are usually very excited and have trouble sitting still. It is likely that the rat is getting frustrated or stressed out and wants to let out all its frustration through wagging their tails.

Rats also perform this behavior as a sign of trust. Rats often sleep with their head and tail hanging over the edge of their cage, while the rest of the body is in a ball. This position is used to conserve warmth and builds stronger bonds with their companions. If you have a rat that is sleeping in this position, you may be concerned about its health.

The best way to find out if your rat is healthy is to observe it for a few days. Some rats wag their tails when they are stressed, but most will remain quiet. A few may even make sounds to communicate with their owners. However, most rats do not talk and are not comfortable with humans.

Rats may windmill their tails in order to gain balance. This behavior can be solved by adding a support to the tail or carrying the rat close to the body.