Your rat will keep himself very clean, as long as he is healthy and as long as his home is clean. Obviously, if his bedding is encrusted with week-old treats and poo, he’s not going to be able to keep up on his personal hygiene!
Your rat will keep himself very clean, as long as he is healthy and as long as his home is clean. Obviously, if his bedding is encrusted with week-old treats and poo, he’s not going to be able to keep up on his personal hygiene!
If he gets sick (or if he gets into something sticky or dangerous while out of his cage), he may need some help. Choose a warm room without drafts. Add a few drops of baby shampoo or pet shampoo for kittens to a shallow basin of warm water. Warm. Not hot. Test it against the inside of your wrist, as though you were testing the temperature of a baby’s formula. Try sponge-bathing him with a washcloth dampened in the soapy water first. If that isn’t enough, you’ll have to carefully bathe him. Be prepared for him to panic. Keep his head out of the water. If it needs cleaning, stick to sponging him with the damp washcloth. Dry him carefully, and offer his some treats.