I want to start grooming my new hooded rat. I'll admit this is my first time with rats (and i am in love! I'm also getting some friends for her to love because thats what she does best!). Anyway, i wanted to start grooming her because her nails are getting really long, and her tail is a little dirty. I've been reading that you should really take your rat to a groomer, but i can't because my mom is mean and thinks it's ridiculous to take my pet to a groomer/vet (yeah i know she's so mean> 3>), so she won't let me. Anyway, i'd really just like to know the specifics, what shampoo to use, how to clip their nails, how to clean their tails, and how to keep them fairly calm while grooming.
Much appreciated thank you!
You typically don't have to groom rats. Every once in a blue moon, maybe 4-5 months, I would bathe mine in warm water with Dawn (don't ever get their heads wet if you can avoid it or get Dawn in their eyes) and would scrub their tails with a soft bristle tooth brush.
Some rats are better at having their nails trimmed than others. If you're nervous about quicking your rat (cutting the small bundle of blood vessels at the base and making them bleed/hurt), it's best to let a vet try. I did have one rat I could feed yogurt from a small bowl and while she was busily lapping at her treat I could gently lift her legs and use people fingernail trimmers and nip off the very, very tips of her nails. My other rats I wouldn't even inflict on a vet. Putting a rock or a brick in their cage somewhere where they're forced to use it, like under their water bottle, can be an effective way of making them wear their own nails down.
Eww. xD
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Haha.
Once, I ate at this Chinese restraunt and I asked them for CHICKEN and fried rice, and then after I ate it all off, I found out that I had just eaten RAT.
Yuck. D:
And I ate there more than once
wait till he's comfortable with you and lick your finger and comb his hair, he will be getting the scent from u and u are grooming him the same way he grooms himself
Hey congrats on the new rattie.:)
I love them so much but they can be so addictive i started with two now have 13 hehe
well anyways i keep mine clean with a grooming wipe you can purchase from a pet store and its a less stressful way of cleaning them. I give them the occasional bath too best do this whilst there young gets them used to it.
Also you can buy little pet brushes to keep their fur nice and smooth.
Ive never had to clip there nails but you can buy little nail trimmers if you want.:)
oh also you can use any pet shampoo just check cause they have very sensitive noses.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Hope this helps.:) Good luck
Rats clean themselves so you dont need to groom them alot ... but i do groom them or shampoo them about 1 time every 3 months about
What you do is get some
-Shampoo
-Clean towel
-Warmish bathtub water (NOT FULL !!!)
1. Put you rat in the non-full bathtub! (If it there first time be patient they get jumpy)
2.Soak water in the rats fur and then get a dot of shampoo and put it in there fur (NOWHERE AROUN THE EYES!)
3.Rub the shampoo in the fur and then fully clean it ALL off! (You want all the shampoo out cuz if the lick their fur after they get the chemicals in their mouth and they can get very sick!
4.Take them out and immeditly out them in the nice towel and dry them good!
5. Put them in their cage and let them do whatever ...
Happy trails!
Um ... your rat doesn't need groomed, they keep themselves clean. Their tails do tend to look a little dirty, are you sure its not just markings on the tail? I have NEVER heard of people taking rats to the groomers, I think thats silly! Rats are very clean and spend huges amounts of time keeping themselves clean. If your rat has a greasy coat or all the fur is sticking up it can indicate a health problem so get her checked at the vet! Nail clipping I would get a vet to show you also, rats have tiny nails and clipping them can be very hard. Sometimes if you put a piece of rock (make sure its a rounded shape with no sharp edges) they will trim their own nails. I never shampoo my rats.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Also, please get your rat a friend. THey are social animals and suffer stress and depression when kept alone.
