Giving Your Rat a Bath

 by ratgirl
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Many people think rats don't need bath, but a rat should get a bath once every six month, and i'll show you the correct way to do so.
First you will need a bath tub, or sink remember to always have a plug in the drain, because rats down a drain is not good. Well fill the the bath tub with luke warm water only about two inches deep, or less.
 
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Step 1: Rat

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Gently place your rat in the tub, but remember to watch out, and where a long sleeve shirt and gloves, because rats don't like baths they will use your arm to claw their way out. Let your rat get used to the water before starting the real bath let them play around first.
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AUG-5OM3 says: Oct 2, 2012. 12:14 PM
Lol I tried this once with my rat. She climbed my arm wich was vertical leaving scratches everywhere. Now everytime i get her near a sink/bath she completele freaks out the poor thing
rachelsmodernlife says: Sep 24, 2011. 4:02 PM
My rat Verdell loves the bath. Is it possible to bathe them too often?
amber j in reply to rachelsmodernlifeSep 23, 2012. 9:39 PM
i have a pet rat he hate the bath how can i get him us to the bath i tryed everythin for him
LisaYum says: Dec 6, 2009. 10:24 PM
A wet rat can climb just about everything...

..Including hair.
beehard44 in reply to LisaYumNov 7, 2010. 8:26 AM
by inference i believed you learned the hard way
Totysheep says: Aug 15, 2010. 12:46 PM
I'm sorry, not to be mean, but I just read your instructable and I find it a bit distressing for the rats. so I published my own. I hope you would just read it. And I'm not saying this to be mean because I used to bathe my rats like this too! So you're not a bad rat owner if you've done this before!!!! I'm just saying there's an easier way. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-bathe-a-rat-THE-NICE-NO-FUSS-WAY/
CookieLuver says: May 7, 2009. 9:11 PM
I bathed my two mice today and they hated it.
ratgirl (author) in reply to CookieLuverAug 10, 2009. 12:20 PM
mice shouldn't be bathed, they aren't as big as rats. It may cause your mice to be very ill.
CookieLuver in reply to ratgirlNov 28, 2009. 10:17 PM
Thanks for the info, I haven't bathed mine since but I think one got sick from wet tail and died.
Apple Rule in reply to ratgirlNov 28, 2009. 5:53 AM
can hamsters be bathed?
Sinick in reply to Apple RuleFeb 11, 2010. 3:21 PM
No!

In the wild, hamsters live in deserts and should NEVER get wet. They get colds/flu very easily when wet, and can die.

They keep themselves clean if given a dish of fine sand to roll around in.  You can get sand from pet stores.

Don't buy chinchilla dust, it's too fine, like powder. It gets into their lungs and gives them breathing problems.
infernisdiem says: Oct 15, 2009. 5:44 PM
I fill the tub about wrist deep, and put stuff in it for them to climbon, this allows them to swim around if they want, and with washing,I usually dip, rough up with soap (like I do any other time)and then dip again, making sure that all the soap is off... and theycome out smelling baby fresh :D
Thundertydus in reply to infernisdiemNov 8, 2009. 3:48 PM
I just slowly pour a cup of warm water on him while he's in the sink (That is plugged up, and filled about 1" with water) and then i use a really soft small scrubbing brush and apply some baby soap =D
Then just for extra cleanliness, I give him a rub with a warm washcloth then I dry him off.
mivzi says: Aug 13, 2009. 3:04 PM
baby wipes work too, my rats wont get in water but baby wipes and pet wipes work just as well.
Fredrick_chilton says: May 7, 2008. 7:02 PM
Get this out of the Bike, Flower, Robot, AND Green Science contests. It has nothing to do with a single one of them.
ratgirl (author) in reply to Fredrick_chiltonAug 10, 2009. 12:26 PM
shut it
Chefboy6382 in reply to Fredrick_chiltonMay 7, 2008. 7:26 PM
I couldn't agree with you more
EnigmaMax says: Jul 31, 2008. 2:30 PM
i now think differently about rats now.
ratgirl (author) in reply to EnigmaMaxAug 10, 2009. 12:24 PM
hopefully in good way. See hollywood goes out to get them to make them look like filthy creatures when they are really smart, and clean. they make wonderful pets.
ratcrazy648 in reply to EnigmaMaxOct 19, 2008. 8:51 AM
in a good or bad way =O?
EnigmaMax in reply to ratcrazy648Oct 20, 2008. 8:35 PM
well, I used to think rats lived in sewers, carried disease, and made an endless population. in otherwords, a pest. Which, I'm sure there are rats like that, but this rat seems... cute. and the fact that there are step by step instructions on how to keep this creature sanitary lets it be known that alot of rats are this way. I'm sure many people think of only the stereotype rat, such as the ones portrayed in Peter Piper. I too thought like this. but know that I have seen this, I know think that they make wonderful pets, that they are just as acceptable as dogs or cats. So to answer your question if I think differently about rats in a good or bad way: in a good way.
brandon borick says: Dec 2, 2008. 10:47 PM
here kity kity . . . no but i like some rats some times iv had a few
ratgirl (author) in reply to brandon borickAug 10, 2009. 12:22 PM
i have cats too, and they get along with my rat...
Itsgoofytime says: May 7, 2008. 5:10 PM
WHY IS THIS IN THE ROBOTICS COMPETITION???
copycat42 in reply to ItsgoofytimeMay 11, 2008. 2:55 PM
(removed by author or community request)
ratgirl (author) in reply to copycat42May 12, 2008. 3:18 PM
I do not appreciate this at any level, nor does Emile (the rat in the picture) or does any other of my 149 animals plus the 12 new borns and the other two litters on their way. So please never ever do something like this again my animals are my children.
DIYDragon in reply to ratgirlFeb 12, 2009. 3:22 PM
Wow! 149? All rats or different things? I've had rats before - they were very good pets. Smart, surprisingly clean , and never bit anybody. Fancy rats can be very pretty too - I had a few that were a nice "pinto pattern" with beige and white coloration. : D
ratgirl (author) in reply to DIYDragonAug 10, 2009. 12:21 PM
thanks.
thematster in reply to ItsgoofytimeMay 7, 2008. 6:01 PM
My thoughts exactly!!
LisaYum says: Aug 9, 2009. 5:46 PM
Your rats seem tame and not so scratch attack. Also, I know rats don't need bathing often, but my rat, Cecilia, has really dirty fur. It's not coming out or anything and a bath cleans it right up, but the more she cleans herself, the ickier she gets!
The Fishfrog says: Jul 15, 2009. 2:59 AM
i thought i would have a go at this but not with a rat. I tried it with my bearded dragon (lizard) and he was swimming for about 30 minutes and he was really enjoying it.
taleya says: Apr 2, 2009. 9:38 PM
Odd note: I've found rats like showers better than baths (strange but true) While you'll have those that skate about or swim, and those that panic and try and jump out of the tub, if you're there with one of those doggy shower hoses they love it. They'll even get up on hind legs to make sure you wash their belly.
feralbeagle says: Nov 1, 2008. 4:45 PM
Do not wear a long sleeve shirt. Wearing a long sleeve shirt is bad unless you want a soapy wet rat in your armpit! I learned my lesson and it only took once. I wear a short sleeve shirt now, she gets a bath and I might get a few scratches but no screaming to get the wet rat out of my shirt.
ratgirl (author) in reply to feralbeagleDec 26, 2008. 6:13 PM
ture but then again my rats still climb up my arm but hook their claws to my skin trust me your safer with long sleeves
Phiris says: Dec 11, 2008. 10:44 PM
true i also find it easier to reward them afterwards. whats really funny is that one rat just sits still while i dunk him in the water while the other gives me some pretty colors on my arm
agdollison says: May 7, 2008. 4:36 PM
weird
ratgirl (author) in reply to agdollisonMay 7, 2008. 5:13 PM
why is it so weird it just common steps like giving a dog a bath I give my dog a bath the same way
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Sensai in reply to ratgirlMay 8, 2008. 7:59 AM
I agree, it isn't weird at all! I own a rat, and she's one of the greatest pets I've ever had. I really think rats make some of the best pets.
ratgirl (author) in reply to SensaiMay 8, 2008. 3:12 PM
you are so right rats are simply adorble
wolf555hound in reply to ratgirlAug 13, 2008. 11:13 PM
yes they are! but..*sniffles* both of mine died form breast cancer=[=[=[=[]
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