I have two new small pets rats and...?

Question

Well, They kind of stunk and they kept fighting with one another.
So I thought it would be a good idea to give them alittle bath even though they are small rats.

But i feel really bad now because I scared them nearly to death. They were freaking out and crying really loud!

Do you think I shouldn't have done this???

This is my first time owning pet rats....

Answer 1

CongRATulations on choosing rats as pets :) Aren't they a dream rodent?

Rats can be bathed but I think you should give them their next bath when they are somewhat older. Babies can chill easily.

Bathing your rats:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=Bathing+your+rats&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAscYqL80.x8jy71l3_Mj6BgazKIX%2FSIG%3D111gjvvgj%2F*-http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAsuRZXHyX3jz_HHQlFel4xgazKIX%2FSIG%3D11ia1qo58%2F**http%253a%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=Bathing+your+rats

What's done is done, don't beat yourself up over it, and just chaulk it up to a learning experience. With gentle handling you will be forgiven and they will become your best boys. BTW, even the manliest of male rats can turn into weanies at bathtime, whimpering and screaming until the procedure is done.

I learned how to care for rats by joining Yahoo rat forums 10 years ago. I would like to invite you to my own forum, Holistarat, at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistarat.

Oh, the "fighting"? At this age I would bet that it is nothing more then rat wrestling. Tussle them with your hand and you can get them to rat wrestle with you. Real fighting is ear-piercing screeches of fear, and the drawing of blood.

Male rats have a tendency to marinade in their dirty bedding. Keep the cage clean and your boys' coats will have the aroma of warm corn chips, which is the natural smell of the males.

Sandra Beasley and the Spaz Rats
(Rattery, Rescue, and Rat-care Expert)
http://spazrats.tripod.com

Answer 2

I dont think you should worry too much. Most rats scream when you first give them a bath. I only give mine a wash if they're covered in poop. I use a couple of different methods depending on the rat. For rats that love water I give them a bath in the sink. I have a jug full of lukewarm water nest to me for rinsing off. First I wet the rat's body from shoulders down and then apply a tiny amount of baby shampoo to the area that needs cleaning. After massing that in, I use the jug of water and slowly pour the water over where I put the shampoo, massaging again to make sure its all gone. Then I wrap them up in a big towel and rub them dry. For timid rats and those who hate water, I use wet cotton pads to wipe away the mess. I find baby wipes are useless, they are too dry to effectively clean any mess on a rat, plus they need to be unscented as scented ones can cause breathing problems. If its a big mess I use a tiny bit of baby shampoo on the cotton pads and use loads of plain water ones to rinse off.
I'm wondering why they should smell. Are they kept in a tank or cage?

I want to respond to a couple of points. You should never use baby powder on or near rats, it will be inhaled by them and will cause breathing problems.
You should also never give orange or other citrus fruits to male rats as it can cause kidney problems.

Like someone else said, I'm also worried that they are fighting each other. They are probably playing or establishing the pecking order. It can look bad, but unless blood is drawn they should be ok. Its hard to do, but when they appear to be fighting you need to leave them alone so they can sort out the problem themselves. If you intervene they dont resolve the issue and things can escalate. I know this from experience. The only time I intervene now is if blood is drawn or if there is bullying going on for more than a couple of hours. Bullying involves one rat fluffing up its fur and sidling onto the other and forcing it into a corner and then not letting the victim move.

Answer 3

CONGRATS!!! I am so glad you didn't fall under the hamster spell! ya they're cute but...... nvm. rats are so nice and if this is your first pair, you are going to be blown away, and surprisingly your mom will too. when they first lick you and nibble on your skin, it will feel really weird, but you'll get used to it. also their nails feel really sharp the first time, but you will also get used to that. i would recommend giving your rats a monthly bath with some kitten shampoo so they are clean. clean the cage every week and all the toys with some water and some bleach or dish soap. replace the toys every month and clean the top of the cage every month, if its a wire cage, which it better be. i use care fresh, its the best kind, you have to be careful what you choose with rats because they are especially prone to respiratory infection which is caused by the dust in wood shavings

Answer 4

Well if they were really smelly, I'd understand why you'd have wanted to give them a bath. It would have been a frightening experience esp if you didn't know how to bathe them right. And having them both smell the same now (after that bath) may help them start off on a better note. If you had not bathed them, you'd have thought them dirty and disgusting. Now that they are cleaner, you'd feel better about interacting with them and loving them. They were scared a bit but it's a necessary 'evil'.. If you keep their cage clean from now on, they'll do a really good job of keeping themselves clean in the future. Don't worry about it.

Answer 5

It's okay to give a rat a bath. They'll eventually get used to it. Just make sure you keep their cage clean, otherwise they'll always smell bad.

I'm a bit concerned that they keep fighting with one another. Are you sure they're not playing? Do you take them out of their cage and play with them often? How often do they see you during the day? They need to be part of the family and in a location where they can see you. Do you think their cage is too small? You might consider getting them a bigger cage.

Answer 6

No, I think your fine. I've had rats for years now, and every once in a while I give them baths. I've had a few rats who seem to like water, but most seem to freak out when you put them in the tub. I just always make sure that its an ok temperature, and I never put very much water in, just enough that they can walk around and get wet. If their males, than once they get older, I was told its good to give them a bath once a month, because of the oils that build up in their fur. Just make sure you keep them warm afterwards, you dont want to get them sick. Rats do tend to rough play sometimes, especially males, and to someone who's never had rats before it can seem like fighting. I'd watch out for violent play. I mean if one's getting cuts or you see blood thats bad, but otherwise their probably just playing.

Answer 7

you probably should not have bathed them but the deed is done and if they smell better it was probably for a good cause. For better or for worse you are now in charge but try to be a kindly master and next time you could try brushing with a baby's brush using a very little baby powder as this will usually have them smelling nice and is not as traumatic as a bath.; give them vegetable pieces and fruit also a little grass from the garden they love thistle which is nourishing Oranges cut in half are a favourite cat or small dog biscuits tasty also an occasional bone to gnaw on as their front teeth need wearing down sleeping facilities important love straw to nest in but tissues are OK as well latest on market hammocks which can be hung in their cage and mine choose these in summer and winter. They manage to fit in together like sardines snug. I make my own hammocks as they tend to chew them fast. I use the leg part of old jeans and hang them in the cage using soft wire and a ladder if it's a bit high (bird ladder) or a long branch which they will scale and chew Rose branches are good with the thorns removed or citrus or grape vine and they love grapes so have fun good luck and be kind as they are so little and can be so trusting.............

Answer 8

Well if you do it a calm way they wil eventually get used to it, but really they shouldnt smell if you keep their cage clean and if they do it is safe to just wipe them down with water or baby wipes(but im not sure if the baby wipes are bad if they lick the stuff off, so I would check on that before doing it)

Answer 9

no, u dont think u should have. i have a mouse, and i kno that a rat and a mouse are different, but u shouldn't bathe a mouse because they could get pnuemonia, so i think that the same thing probably goes 4 a rat2. if u want to clean them u should gently wipe them down with a DAMP, warm wash clothe or paper towel.

Answer 10

NO I have had rats for years...........when there is a smell it is usually a dirty cage, not the rats. Check what u r using for filler in the cage too. I've found wood shavings from the pet store the best.