How to Bathe a Domestic White Rat
Rats have a reputation as being dirty animals, when the truth in fact is very different. They clean themselves regularly using their tongue, but should also be cleaned regularly by their owner in the same way the rat's cage is. White rats will show dirt a lot more than brown rats due to their color, but the cleaning regime is the same.
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Instructions
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Select a suitable bowl to wash your rat in. It should be large enough so the rat can move around.
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Fill the bowl with warm, but not hot water. Fill it enough so the rat can move around easily; about 1 inch of water should be suitable.
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Collect all the other materials required for bathing the rat. If you have to leave the room to get anything while bathing the rat, it may try to escape.
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Place the rat into the bowl of water and use a small cup to pour water over its back. Only wash one rat at a time; otherwise, they can be a handful to control.
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Rub a little cat shampoo into the rat's fur and massage in gently using a toothbrush or your fingertips.
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Remove the shampoo by pouring warm water from a cup over the rat's back.
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Dry the rat using a towel. Do not be too vigorous with the rubbing as this will distress the animal and make it fear bath times.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not pour water over the rat's head. This can lead to water getting in the ears, eyes and nose, which is harmful.
Make sure you clean the cage at least once a week. Rats are surprisingly clean animals so although bathing may not be needed as regularly, cage cleaning is.
Reassure the rat while bathing and drying so they realize bath time is not a punishment.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
