Chocolate test

I've been having difficulty persuading my aged rat Nathanial to eat. It's a common problem with elderly rats, especially when they aren't well and have muscle weakness so they can't sit up and hold things in their hands in proper rat style. So Nat's been having potato, mashed up, baked beans, porridge, banana and so on along with regular rat mix/veges. Then someone made the suggestion that they can also have trouble with overgrown teeth. I try holding Nat over my head with one hand and pulling his lip down to inspect. Sounds easy, yes? "Just hold still, Nat, this won't take long."

"Ye gods, I'm being assaulted," says Nat and fights me off gamely. Ok, his arms aren't that weak. I never do get a clear look at the front teeth.

Still worried, I try out the chocolate biscuit test this evening. Nat seizes it, holds it down with one hand and chomps away.

Hopefully that means the teeth are okay!