Rubbing and itching?

[Lola]

Lola has been acting pretty weird tonight.

She was walking around her cage strangely for a minute or so. She was lifting her legs up like she was walking in something sticky and she was rubbing herself on things all over the place. Plus she was itching every now and then. She was also slightly damp on her hip areas? Maybe from rubbing on her water thing? I didn't see her do that though. Oh and she was rolling around in the pine shavings, maybe to get rid of the wet patches?

I hope she's ok I'm a bit of a worrier but she was obviously acting strange.

I'd appreciate if anyone with more experience could shed some light on this? Do I need to get her checked out?

[souffle]

No she is scent marking her cage If you look on the hips you will see some small bumps which are the scent glands. They rub these on the cage and on toys etc to spead their smell around and make it theirs. It is quite normal. They scratch the scent on to their paws to spread it too that way.
They often do it more after a clean out you may notice.

[Lola]

Oh phew! I had thought it could be that cause I read somewhere about the scent glands being on the hips but I thought maybe cause of the itching and the fact she's a girl it might not be!

I'm relieved. I am such a worrier! Thank you so much.

[souffle]

Girls sometimes do it more when they are in season. Trying to attract a boy ham to come a courting I expect

[Lola]

Ah I see! I read somewhere that they're in heat every 4 days? Is that the same as being in season?

[souffle]

Yes that's right. Every 4th night the are receptive to mating. If you rub her back specially near the rump she may freeze and stick her tail in the air. They do this when they are in season and they can be a bit whiffy too. Females in heat are often very active that night and wheel run lots too.

[Lola]

Yeah she definitely seems very active tonight. She's all over the place. Climbing a lot.

Thanks for all the information - I so appreciate it.