How To Boost Your Rats Immunity

As winter approaches, it is important to turn our attention to how we can strengthen our rats' immunity against infection and provide them with the best possible defense at a time when rats, especially older rats, are often vulnerable.

High humidity coupled with cold can create conditions that affect the respiratory system of a vulnerable rat. This is due to an increase in the water element which can aggravate phlegm conditions or those prone to them. It is important to note that at this time there is a greater need to balance the water element in the body system so that we can increase the body's ability to cope with dampness and cold.

In Ayurveda (an ancient Indian healing system based on maintaining balanced health), the water element is more aggravated in the winter months. There is a tendency to further flare up of phlegm. Therefore, it is important to try to balance this tendency by creating an "internal" balance in the body while adjusting the "external" conditions to reduce stress. We can do this by targeting environmental factors that can worsen water status, such as using a dehumidifier, avoiding sugary wet food, reducing stress, and incorporating various immune-building strategies (as suggested below).

Some rats are more affected by the deterioration of the water element than others, especially those that already have repeated respiratory problems. These rats will be more susceptible at this time, but it is important that all rats will need some extra help during this season.

Here are some ideas to help boost your rats' (and yours') immunity. I always recommend and personally use dietary supplements for people because I believe that the focus should be on the health of the whole family. Many supplements created in the pet industry are not that great and have some "novelty/profit" value. I feel it is wiser to look for higher quality supplements that we would like to use ourselves and then just "tithe" some of them to our rats. Our rats need us to be healthy to take care of them, so I think it's better and less wasteful to buy such supplements that we can all benefit from.

LIFESTYLE CONSIDERATIONS

Stress is a big factor that lowers the body's defenses. Rats are often stressed due to group incompatibility or other factors. Something we can do is to make sure we don't put the rats, especially the older rats, under any undue stress during the winter season, eg during this time we can avoid major changes in their routines, i.e. avoiding new intros with other rats or changing cage/group dynamics etc. Avoid mating/breeding as females would naturally conserve their own energy during this time. If you think that our rats are indoors and therefore not affected by the season, it is simply not true. They are energetic beings and intrinsically connected to a greater whole. They are influenced by the biorhythms of nature, even if they are not "in" nature. This is why people can see the effect of the moon on the behavior of their rats. And why solstices and equinoxes often create a portal for many animals to make their transition. It's all in the grid and flow of energy, yin and yang.

Animals in nature hibernate or stay close to home at this time of year, they are not in "breeding" mode. Nature knows it's time to retreat and use as much energy as possible to build up reserves and maintain resistance to the cold. It's a natural "build and rest" time, which is why most of us put on a few extra pounds during the winter/holiday season! Energy is needed to maintain heat, and the focus of heat is inside. Trees shed their leaves in the fall to store sap for winter sustenance.

You may notice that your rats sleep more in the winter, this is their way of conserving energy and keeping in tune with nature's 'slow down'. The time will come again in the spring, when they will wake up from their sleep and return to increased activity again. I'm not saying they don't play, far from it! I'm just saying that levels can fluctuate based on environmental factors/seasonal shifts. For example, there is always a lot more activity around a full moon. By being aware of environmental stress/seasonal changes and adjusting accordingly, we can help further strengthen our rats' immunity during the winter months.

EATING

A whole food diet of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in chlorophyll such as kale, will provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals that will help protect against cancer and also boost the immune system. Think of availability as in seasonal, organic fruits and vegetables, and if you can provide a good "rainbow" plate, it covers most of the nutrients needed for balanced health. Here is a list of some essential supplements you may want to add to your diet.

Multivitamins/Minerals – always a good backup to provide essential vitamins/minerals that might otherwise be lacking in the diet. But I wouldn't use them daily. Overusing vitamin supplements is easy and unnecessary. Just add them when you feel they need support. Otherwise, if you are feeding a diet rich in fresh produce, simply use vitamin/mineral supplementation as needed. I think they are more important for young growing bodies and older rats.

Omega 3, 6 and 9 (a good oil such as cool oil, linseed or hemp oil will provide a rich source of these) as well as hemp seed, flax and chia. Flax and chia seeds absorb many times their amount after soaking in water. I do not recommend giving them dry to rats. You can grind them first and just add a pinch to your food or use them in cookies etc. Or soak them first and use them in your recipes. If you already use them, please comment below how you use them, I'm interested and I'm sure it would be useful for other readers to know. J

Selenium (Brazil nuts are a good source) stimulates the production of natural T-cells that fight viral and bacterial infections. Selenium helps make antibodies and in my studies I found it to be one of the essential minerals in cancer prevention. I like to grate brazil nuts for rat dinner or pasta as 'Parmesan'

Vitamin C – We all know that vitamin C supplementation is recommended for humans, but apparently rats are able to make their own vitamin C. Even after hearing that, I still think any extra vitamin C they can get will only be beneficial and really, if you're feeding fruits and vegetables, they're already getting an adequate supply anyway. I feel like it's just good to be aware and if you want to give them rose hip tea or something then go for it. I just bought rosehip/hibiscus tea for myself and the rats enjoy it too. I sweeten the agave and dilute it a little and they are