Is my new rat's constant chattering normal or a health concern?

Hi, and thanks for your question. Often this presentation is compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

If he is eating, drinking and acting normal and he doesn't have any eye or nasal discharge then I wouldn't be concerned. I would also weigh him weekly on a gram scale to ensure he isn't loosing weight. This could be a normal sound for him. I would also make sure you aren't using an wood/cedar chips for a substrate as some are allergic to this. Care flesh or a cotton like material is the best substrate for their cages. If you continue to worry about it or anything with his behavior changes I would try to get the noise on video and let your vet listen to it. I think the next step would be for your vet to take some check X-rays if it gets worse. I hope this helps.

Is he the only baby rat shivering? At 13-14 days of age rats are usually still nursing their mother with litter mates...rats sometimes shiver if they are scared or nervous. If he is nursing well, the same size as his littermates, active and alert when not nursing, I would remove any possible stressors such as loud noises, other pets, being picked up frequently. In addition providing enrichment in the form of cardboard huts or other opaque hiding spaces, as well as food enrichment may help. If he also appears lethargic, dehydrated etc. I would recommend bringing him in to a veterinarian that sees pocket pets/rodents for an exam.

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign might be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or eventually to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Hi, This is a difficult one to answer without seeing the behavior or at least a clip. If he is otherwise well, eating and maintaining weight then he us probably fine, but if still in doubt - a visit to the vet is recommended.

Guinea pigs are very vocal creatures, but it will take some time for you to learn what are normal noises and what are not. I would error on the side of caution and have him looked at. Most places have a several day health guarantee, but you will have to see what your individual store will do for you. I hope he's back to his new home in no time!