I know its probably a stupid question but if it is possible then I want it done. My boys are two of the most friendliest rats but even just playing with them and I get all scratched up and they don't mean to. Plus batheing them because a even harder task and being boys they need their baths.
2007-10-12 16:44:54 · 10 answers · asked by Christen 1 in Pets ➔ Rodents
I'm not trying to be mean to them. I love the boys. Its just I have to clip their nails weekly and their skirmy and Im afraid of hurting them. I figured it would be easier to get it done and over with once then risk cutting a toe off every week. Or cutting to the pink part and making them bleed. When they scratch me it usually burns for awhile and gets red and irritated. Kinda think I may be allergic to them or somthing. Does this happen to any of you?
2007-10-12 18:12:38 · update #1
no, it is not possible.
Most rat owners just get used to it, but many have gotten their rats accustomed to nail clipping.
some people put a brick in the cage to help file the nails down, but I am not sure if that works or not.
2007-10-12 18:46:52 · answer #1 · answered by Zoo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your boys are large & calm enough, just clip the tips of their claws every week or so. Some ppl put a brick in the cage, usually under the water bottle, so the rats will wear down their nails faster. We give our girls branches to climb on, which works pretty well. I wouldn't attempt to trim our girls' nails, they're so much smaller & squirmier than the boys.
I've never heard of rats being declawed, but I am very much against declawing for cats & wouldn't want to put any of our rats through this either.
2007-10-13 00:43:38 · answer #2 · answered by Catkin 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Trim the claws but not too near the blood vessel in the claw it is alot more humane and practical to just trim its claws and it would cost nothing while declawing would probably expensive. Also most Vets in the UK don't do it. If you have a pet you will get bitten or scratched once in a while.
2007-10-13 02:55:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
rats use their claws to climb. this would be a very bad idea.
i have a female rat that scratches me too.
lately, instead of cutting her nails i have started filing them. at first she really hated this - now she lets me do it because afterwards i always give her a special treat and also she knows that then she can climb all over me more and also she loves the attention - all the time i am doing it i pet her and scratch her and just massage her, etc. you might try this -
before resorting to anything so drastic as de-clawing...
2007-10-16 15:07:27 · answer #4 · answered by ratgirldjh 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's possible, but most vets would not do it. Simply putting a rat under anesthesia for the procedure can be very dangerous.
The brick idea is a good one. Also, long sleeves.
Trimming nails can be rather tricky, so it's best if you can get your boys to shorten their nails for themselves.
2007-10-13 00:53:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
yes, it does with my 2 girls. If u have them declawed u are taking off part of the finger, aka the nuckle and is VERY painful to them, exepensive and dangerous, I do NOT reccamend it at all, with pratice the rats will be less skedish with nail trimming.
2007-10-14 17:16:51 · answer #6 · answered by Home Schooled Rat And Dog Freak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Education is very important when caring for animals. I want to make you aware of a rare, but deadly disease called RBS Rat Bite Fever(or Syndrome). This is a rare disease that can be caught from domestic animals. From a bite or scratch. It sounds like you have already experienced this, so you should be fine. But if you have other friends or family, please inform them. It starts with flu-like symptoms and progresses quickly. TWO people have died in my state from this in the past few years! These death could have been avoided with some simple information. Please pass it along...
dave<:3}~...OWNER/ SHAGGYMOUSE YAHOO GROUP
2007-10-13 17:13:16 · answer #7 · answered by dave s 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You would have to check with your vet. But I think it would be best to find a different method of handling your rats. Long sleeves.
2007-10-12 23:49:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, declawing is painfull,brutal and cruel, get some claw clippers instead at your vet and ask them how to use it properly.
2007-10-12 23:51:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
yes!!
I Think!
lol
2007-10-13 04:17:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋