Dry skin in Hairless ratties - Paw Talk

mxmvlcty · #1 12-05-2007, 10:55 PM

hi there! I have two boy hairless ratties, about seven months old. they have both recently begun to have very dry, flaky skin. I put on some baby lotion and they seemed to stop scratching for a while but did not show any longterm effects. I have been slowly phasing them from Nutriphase to a more lab-block heavy diet in the past month. Is their dry skin a result of this added protein? or could it be that we have the heat on more in the colder months? It doesn't seem to bother them too much...but it must be a little itchy, and besides I have little skin flakes all over me now! how can I clear up this dry skin? thank you!!

pinkie1205 · #2 12-05-2007, 11:59 PM

protein can cause skin problems but that is probably not what is causing it.. Rub them down with olive oil every other day or as needed...that should do the trick.

Just make sure it's rubbed in good and dab off the excess and it should be okay. They might lick the crap outta each other but they'll love you for it.

mxmvlcty · #3 12-06-2007, 12:58 AM

thank you so much! can't wait to see how messy this project turns out to be...sounds like fun

pinkie1205 · #4 12-06-2007, 01:23 AM

Like I said make sure it's rubbed in really well or dabbed off....too much olive oil will give them runny poos. Things like olive oil are much better then lotion since rats are groomaholics.

tarita2004 · #5 12-06-2007, 10:44 AM

I know Vanilla_Rat has hairless rats too. I wonder what she uses?

Vanilla_Rat · #6 12-06-2007, 11:28 AM

Well two of my hairless ratties have really nice,smooth skin.It is a result of their diet,which is homemade and mixed by me.I have never ever had dry skin problems with them,except when I first brough them home from the store.

I did just get a new little nekkid guy and he has bad dry skin.Olive oil works wonders for hairless rats,so I agree with Missy (Pinkie).Actually it is reccommended when you have hairless rats,to add some olive oil to their food as well.

Extra protein can cause skin problems in rats as well.

mxmvlcty · #7 12-06-2007, 03:42 PM

thanks everyone! the olive oil seems to have done the trick. my ratties have spent hours licking each other top to bottom, so if the rubbing of the oil didn't do it, then eating it all did! I'll start adding just a little bit to their food. thank you again!