Giving a rat a bath(again)?

Question

hi sorry i already asked this question but i was wondeirng: i have to baby female rats. they're about a month old i believe or older and although they are small, they have all their fur and move and tails. lets just say they're fully out babied but not fully grown. i was wondering if i can put them in a tub with the water shallow, about 2-3 inches deep and put them in without getting their eyes nose mouth lets jsut say head. and ears. can just put them in the water and let them swim and have fun?

Answer 1

If you want to give them the opportunity to swim around and have fun in the water, your best bet is to put something in the tub that is large and sticks up out of the water.  You want something that is large enough for them to comfortably hang out on, and will not move.  For example, you could use a toy boat or a few bricks set next to each other.

If they want to swim, they will swim.  Some rats really like the water, and others don't.  But no rat, no matter how much they like the water, likes to be forced to swim.  So give them the option, and let them decide for themselves.

You don't need to worry about their noses/ears.  They will do a fine job of protecting these themselves, as long as they have a way out of the water.

I will list some other ways to cool off in your other thread.

Answer 2

ask a vet for info on rats and if u can there SURE to help!

Answer 3

You do not need to bathe them ever. They are as clean as cats, and spend an enormous part of thier day grooming themselves. Naturally, rats do not need any help getting clean, but if you do bathe them, the water usually dries out their skin by removing natural oils, making it more difficult for them to clean themselves afterwards.

If they are dirty, you can just get a wash cloth or paper towel, dampen it in warm water, and rub the dirt off of them.

One month old rats are much too young to be away from the mother. Most breeders wait as long as 2 months to give them out. Because they are so small, it is highly possible for them to have accidents, and drown. The water will be a new scary experience for them, and will freak them out. It's best to avoid bathing all together.

Edit: I just read your other question. If it's hot, you can do a number of other things. I just put mine in an empty bathtub. It is nice and cool in there, and they like to run around exploring. Just be sure to add lots of hiding places. You can also give them a whole ice cube to l**k and play with, or put one in the water bottle.

As for fun, one of my favourites is getting a large shallow bowl, filling i with water, and putting in some veggies and treats on the bottom. If the rats like the water, they will "fish' out the food.

http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm#peafis...

Answer 4

i personally wait until they are almost a year old.  they are a bigger, and its easier to bathe them.

but if you just want to get them used to water:  

get a clear plastic tub, (a tall one, about a foot tall or so), and put a very small amount of water in it, but make sure there is dry 'land' in the tub, cuz they arent too fond of water to start out with.  But they can learn to love it.  while in the tub with water, give them peanut butter from your finger, so then they assosciate water/bathing with something they love.  (treats)

hope this helps you!!!

Answer 5

Yes, you can do that, but keep in mind they might HATE the water!