Can i give my new rat a bath? ive heard rats are good swimmers, but what should i do?

Question

My new pet rat, Scorpious, is kinda of smelly. i dont mind the smell at all, but others do. im going to train him to use a litter box, because i know how, but he still isnt the best smelling. any tips? and also, i am sick, and i want to know if he can get a sickness from me. Ive washed my hands very well before i go near him, but i dont handle him much now. and is it possible i got sick from him? he's been sneezing a lot, although ive tried to be very sanitary with him.

Answer 1

i am used to hamsters, and i read in a hamster book to never give it a bath. if the rodent becomes to cold afterwards (they are very sensitive to the cold) it could die.

hope i helped :)

Answer 2

My rats do bath all though they are not huge fans of it. It takes them a bit in the water to be ok with it. I put them in the tub and watch them swim ( make sure there is an area that they can stand if they are tired of swimming) and then take them out. Lather them up with a rat shampoo. I actually use a ferret shampoo. Then Rinse them off. I usually allow them to swim and play in the water before I wash them. After a few minutes my guys are swimming around chasing each other and splashing its veyr cute to watch.

Not all rats like water. again mine are to keen on it but get used to it and have fun in it after a bit.

Most rats will bath themselves constantly basically BUT if they get a little stinky you can bathe them but I would also look at the cleaning of the cage they could be getting stinky because of something in the cage a hammock or bedding or something. I notice with mine when they stink its time to wash thier hammock or get them a new one.

Hope that helps

Answer 3

You can give rats a bath because they can swim but make sure is quite a hot day and that you dry them off well as they could get cold. However my rats hated baths and used to crawl up my hand when i tried to put them in and once they were in would literally spring off of nothing to get out! (Hence why I never bathed them again!)  

Answer 4

Give him some Chinchilla sand to roll around in. They like it and it removes dirt and oil from their fur.

Answer 5

i had a rat before

you could fill the sink with water(warmish,not hot)and your rat wont get hurt. you could buy some shampoo from the pet shop.its pretty fun watching them swim(they are fast). go on youtube and seach for rats swimming and you could see how they swim. try not to get any water in their eyes or ears.

this is how i did it:

1.fill the sink with water(2 inches)

2.put your rat in it and get his fur wet

3.take him out and rub shampoo(theres different smells to choose from) on him

4.put him in the water and rise till the shampoo is gone.

5.get rid of the water and put more clean water in the sink,rise again and watch the little furry guy swim(so cute)!

6.get a towel and dry him or hair dry put it on the smallest power,and put it far from your pet or put you hand over it and let the wind go through your finger.

you can also use a big bowl

go on http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

i asked that question and find the answers pretty useful

hope it helped

Answer 6

ya i bathe mi rats although they hate it!!!! but they manange jus wet him down and get a little bit of special rodent shampoo on your finger and lather him up and wash him down( i do mine in the sink)

Answer 7

you can give your rat bath but must must see that his head is not drowned or he'll breath water in

Answer 8

i am not sure about this one ,i use to have hamster and they cleaned themselves!

Answer 9

Rats like water try a infant tub thrift stores have them cheap for a swimming pool for fun as for bathing good look if he is a squirmer you bathe him with rat shampoo like you would a small dog

Answer 10

Okay, if its a cold you have, he can get it from sneezes but if its not a cold he shouldn't.

Also if its a new rat i would recommend leaving him a short while (like a few days) but if you have already had him for a short while, you can bath him in about 2 inches of water. Make sure its warm and only have him in there for a minute because they can get pneumonia which would kill him. Then dry him with a towel. You can get shampoo for rats in some pet stores to make him smell better too.