Is it ok to not wash my pet RAT?

Question

Hi, I'm planning to buy 2 male rats. I've previously had 3 female rats, and I've never bathed them before, because they always clean themselves and they don't smell very bad.

But I know that male rats smell more and have more oil on their fur. So is it still ok if I don't bathe my rats.

Thank you.

Answer 1

You don't have to, as long as they continue to clean themselves.

Answer 2

You could use chinchilla sand bath to clean them if you think they're getting too smelly and dirty.

Answer 3

You don't need to bathe them as long as they are capable of grooming themselves.  I've seen old/obese rats that had trouble grooming themselves and the buck grease (that stinky greasy orange stuff) builds up pretty bad.  But as long as they're keeping themselves clean, you really don't need to bathe them unless you want to.

Answer 4

It's perfectly OK. It's not a 'requirement' to bathe your rats. Personally, I do give my males a bathe if I find their ''male odor'' is a bit overbearing, but most of the time, I leave them alone. :)

Answer 5

It's ok just keep the cheese in the cage.

Answer 6

My wife and I use baby wipes to clean our rats, there good in a pinch when you don't have time to give them a bath.