do rats need to be bathed?

[juicychops]

opinion is split on the internet so i didn't know if it was something i need to introduce. they do smell a bit pissy sometimes, but don't all rodents as some time or another?

and if so, how often? is it a regular thing like once a week/month, or something i should do only when they get a bit messy/grubby?

thanks

[headlesshorseman]

We only bathed our old ratty once a month or less, when he really smelled.
It became more important once he got older and less inclined to groom himself properly.
Some rats enjoy it, some don't, but its not something I would push for if he had got distressed by it.

[belindarose]

My first and most amazing rat was only bathed the once. He immediately leapt straight out (without touching the sides) and down the front of my shirt, where he remained for hours!

Subsequent ratties were introduced more gradually to the bath, with easy escape routes and things to sit on. All loved it.

16 years later and I can still feel that furry little body and wet tail resting somewhere around my waistband. God, I loved that rat!

[PickledInAPearTree]

My rat! Memories!

I think they are generally nice clean animals but my rat liked a swim about now and again.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

How do you dry them?

With the guineas, we towel rub them, hairdryer to waft them then put them in a box stuffed with hay to finish off.
If they are inside, we are ok, if they are outside they need washed early evening to make sure they're dry.

But rats are more fragile critters.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

juicy we sometimes do a 'lick and a promise wash' with unscented baby wipes (especially if my fluffy little boy has run through a puddle of his brothers wee )
I use them to clear GP1 greasespot too (GP2 doesn't get this trouble)

When we get greasespots turning manky, they need a bumdip.

[PickledInAPearTree]

Mine would cuddle in my sleeve.

I loved that rat!

[Madratlady]

Rats don't need bathing. I've never needed to bath any of my rats unless they've got themselves covered in something messy.

They also have a tendency to take refuge down my top if I try lol

[Southwestwhippet]

I've tried it with mine and they are not keen. Wouldn't bother other than with my sphinx (hairless) one who does get a bit whiffy compared to the others.

I've read that some love it though, I was all geared up for adorable rat bath but they wouldn't play ball at all much to dd's disappointment.

[pumpkinsweetie]

I don't bath my boys, they are such impeccabley clean animals that iv'e never needed to
They are forever cleaning & grooming themselves

[ratspeaker]

I never bathed my rats until they got older and less able, one had hind leg degeneration and one respiratory infection so needed a bit help.
As they weren't used to being in sink or bath I used a warm wet flannel or unscented baby wipes to reduce stress.
If they are elderly males and not grooming correctly it's an idea to gently check for penile plugs
I also found using fabric hammocks useful as they absorb the wee and can be chucked in the washing machine as required

[ReikiMummy]

Fabric hammocks - yup, made loads out of cheap flannels - easy to wash also.

Ratties had a swim in the summer to cool off if needed, other than that, only if got themselves covered in icky sticky - then it was a babywipe job. :)

[EnglishBanana13200]

You could try that Animal cleaning wipes... I think you can get them from most big pet shops x

[mortifieddotcom]

My ratties used to hate being bathed. They would leap up the side of the bath and cling to me for protection!

I did still bath them as they occasionally got a bit pongy but only did it a couple of times a year as I thought it was a bit cruel to do it often when they hated it so much.

I did clean them out 3 x per week though so probably a bit more often than I have done with other pets.

[mortifieddotcom]

For drying I used to give them a run around my bedroom and a gentle rub with a rattie towel. I would only bathe them on a warm day or put the heating on.