Sometimes, your pet rat can get dirty or smelly! If you don't want it to stay dirty, you need to bathe it properly! Otherwise your room may also smell bad.
Steps
Step 1. Before starting, make sure the rat is comfortable in a semi-submerged position in the water
Step 2. Close the bathroom door and fill the sink about half full with hot water
Step 3. Spread a towel next to the sink, so that eventually the rat can get out and shake off the water
Also, have a towel ready to dry it.
Step 4. Hold the rat in one hand and put the shampoo in the other (dog shampoo is fine, preferably oatmeal for its soothing and moisturizing properties
Absolutely avoid flea and tick shampoo on rats.)
Step 5. Gently place your pet in the sink, just enough to get it wet
Make sure no water gets into his ears or eyes. Rats are not very fond of the bathroom, so it is important to talk to them to reassure them.
Step 6. Take it out of the water and lay it on the towel
Rub the shampoo into his fur, but don't be too energetic and don't put it on his face or head.
Step 7. Place the rat in the sink again to rinse off the shampoo, making sure it does not get its face wet
Step 8. Repeat as necessary
Step 9. Finally let the rat jump out of the sink and shake the water from its body
Step 10. Get a towel to dry it well
- It is not necessary to bathe the rats, but it is useful before showing them or if they really are a bit smelly.
- Find a small package of pet shampoo with natural oils, especially if you want to bathe it more than once a month. It is important to wash your dog this often if he has been ill or elderly, but remember that washing too often will remove the natural layer of sebum and his skin will dry out. Make sure you use a baby or pet shampoo, as shampooing for people can cause serious skin problems.
Advice
- If you don't want to fight your rat every time it gets dirty, get it used to the water as soon as possible. A mouse that only knows the water it drinks will be much more stressed than one that is already used to swimming since childhood. The best way to start getting a young rat accustomed to the bathroom is to create some sort of swimming pool where it can have fun under your supervision. A painter's bowl or tray is fine for this purpose.
- If your rat is afraid of bathing, instead of putting him in the water abruptly, try luring him with his favorite treat to voluntarily enter the water.
- Give him a couple of baths just so he can become familiar with the water, without using shampoo, avoiding getting him completely wet and not stressing him, just giving him sweets and allowing him to swim.
- Before putting it back in the cage, clean it, so the rat doesn't get dirty right away again.
- If your pet is frightened by the noise of the hairdryer, place a towel or tea towel on his back and wipe dry. Whatever you choose, never put it back in the cage still wet.
- Make the bathroom routine; it's not mandatory, but it's a good way to get started. It can be stressful the first few times, but if she does it often enough she'll eventually get used to it.
- If you have more than one rat, try washing them all at once. It will be less stressful for them and for you.
- Be prepared for his stool. They squirt everywhere when he takes a bath!
- Wear a long-sleeved sweatshirt (which you don't mind getting wet) or long gloves when bathing the rat, to prevent it from scratching you in case it wants to climb up and out of the water.
- When you rinse it, make sure the water is lukewarm and that it flows over your body like a pleasant "shower"; avoid rinsing it too hard.
- Don't let the rat get cold. Turn on a hair dryer by setting it to the lowest temperature and lowest fan speed to dry and reheat it after your bath, as long as you don't get scared by the noise.
- If you want to cut his nails, it's a good idea to do it after the bath. This minimizes the depth of the scratches, thanks to the shorter claws (and they will also be much less sharp than they would be if you cut them before the bath).
- Some ferret products for a "dry bath" work well on rats. Basically it is a light non-toxic foam that you can apply with your hand.
- Cat shampoo is also good.
- Check the water before washing to make sure it is at a comfortable temperature.
- If you don't have the right type of shampoo, don't use it at all. It's not even necessary, unless the rat really stinks. If his coat is just dirty you should be able to wash it without any problems.
Warnings
- If you bathe him regularly, use shampoo only occasionally. Too much can be harmful to his coat and skin.
- Never use shampoo for men. He is too aggressive and can cause him serious skin problems. Use only the one for children or small animals.
- You could be scratched, bitten, soaked, or all of that if the rat isn't very well trained. It could get on your arm like a squirrel climbs a tree.
- Bathing can be very stressful and is usually not even necessary, unless there is something stuck to his fur. Be very careful with rats that are too lively or sick.
- All the rats are a little scared on their first bath, but if you see that he is truly terrified stop. If his first experience with water is terrible, it will remain a trauma for his life and he will no longer be able to enjoy even a good swim. Rats have good memories and yes will remember certainly if you try to give him another bath in the future. A bad first experience creates a vicious cycle of bites, scratches and bathroom.
