what do i need for a hairless rat cage?>?

Question

beside basic rat stuff wich i already know what special care do i have do with hairless rats?, im getting two from a rattery, no rat care speeches just hailess specific advice please

Answer 1

Hairless rats need more warmth. Summer temperatures will keep a hairless rat adequately warm. But in the winter, the temperatures should not fall below 60F. degress. A warm lamp over a corner of the cage or a heating pad taped to a side are two ways to increase the housing temperature if your home is on the cool side. Make sure there is an area in the cage that they can get away from the heat.
Hairless rats need eat more often to keep warm. A normal rat needs a well balanced diet of grains, seeds, and a protein source. Hairless rats eat more of it. Also, although not proven, a higher source of protein seems to benefit their health. Generally, a quality, non-allergenic dog kibble can be added into the diet to meet these needs. I feed my older hairless rats either lab block or dog chow, pasta and oats twice a day. I do avoid corn in the diet as much as possible. Hairless rats drink more water than furred rats, so make sure that you fill the water bottle often.
Allergies to bedding, other animals, dust and seasonal pollens and molds can cause a hairless to sneeze, have weepy eyes (with a red discharge), and possibly lead to bacterial respiratory infections that will require antibiotics to cure. Signs of eyes issues include weepy eyes which may come from a increased sensitivity to allergins or possibly dry eyes. Many hairless rats wake up from long naps with this. You may see them clean their eyes. If the problem is severe, treat the eyes with an antibiotic eye cream called Terramycin, a couple of times a day.
Removing the allergins by using a Hepa Air Cleaner and by avoiding wood bedding and those with high dust content. I have had the most success with this stuff called Cell-sorb or carefresh bedding you can get at pet supplies plus!
So basically they just need special bedding, heat lamps/heating pads and more water and food high in protein. Good Luck with your hairless rats they are great animals!

Answer 2

I have three brother hairless in a group of 18 boys and they get along perfectly. I have rat from 6 months to 3 years in my Mischief so age really isn't an issue if introductions are done right!! The only problem is that naked rats have a tendency to get scratches all over. A slightly greater wound should be allowed for a naked then a furred. If it is not bleeding/only bleeding very slightly, and it's a good pink/healing color then you will be fine! :3 No worries. Just introduce them properly like any other rat and you should be good! Also if you notice the naked has dry skin use 100% all natural cocoa butter on them. It is KINDA expensive but it is 100% safe and you only need a TINY bit.

Answer 3

You might want to use a soft litter such as Care Fresh or Total Comfort instead of scratchy aspen shavings. When we adopted our hairless girl the breeder told us that they have higher metabolism than normal rats, so they eat, drink & eliminate more frequently. Our hairless girl feels really warm when I cuddle with her (much warmer than our furry rats) which is also probably due to the higher metabolism. The breeder also mentioned that hairless are prone to get minor scratches very easily (no protective fur coat) but they heal quickly, which we've noticed in ours. I've heard that hairless sometimes get dry skin which is helped by a nice olive-oil massage, but ours has beautiful skin. She gets along great with furred rats, is charming, playful & cute-cute-cute. Good luck with your new hairless.

Answer 4

it's best to keep them with a furry friend because they may need some help to regulate their body temperature. they need to be bathed since they have no fur to keep everything off their skin. the best advice that you will get is from the breeder and the vet though. see if you can get an information package from either of them before you bring your hairless rat home. you're lucky to be getting a hairless. i'd love to have one.

Answer 5

when you go to the rattery why don't you ask to see the cage they were in. the rattery would be the best people to ask, not only that, it shows how much you really care about your rats. they will be able to answer any questions that you have regarding your rats care.

Answer 6

Get a heat lamb and thermomiter to make sure the rat is warm ask vet how warm it should be...

Answer 7

Lots of fleece when it is cold our and little pouches