How do you introduce a rat to the bathtub (with water)? - Paw Talk

laydeerodentzz · #1 01-20-2008, 07:10 AM

My rats are two months old now and I've had them for a week. I really want them to be able to get some fun and have a swim. Do you think I should wait antil they are a bit older? If not how do you think the best way to introduce them to water would be? They have a small dish of water in they're cage that they drink out of (They also have a bottle) and they don't seem to mind water, should I do something like pea fishing first, just to get them used to it? Its just, I don't want to scare them because they are still young and still act kinda like little children, so I really want it to be safe.

tarita2004 · #2 01-20-2008, 02:24 PM

i just put enough water that they can have their feet touch, that's what i did when i had a rat and let her have her first bath

i put her plastic igloo in there so she could stand on it if she didn't like the water

mulder · #3 01-21-2008, 09:28 AM

yeah what tara said is good. ease them into it slowly. first an ankle bath, then next an elbow bath, then a tummy bath, then slowly they'll get used to it without getting scared. rats are generally pretty darn curious anyways so it should go okay

Vanilla_Rat · #4 01-21-2008, 09:47 AM

I agree with the above posters.

Some rats dislike water though,so don't push it if they don't like it.And you do not need to bathe them alot either,so do not add soap or anything.

And I say try the pea fish game! It is a big hit! Mine love it.

laydeerodentzz · #5 01-21-2008, 11:46 AM

oh also.. my rats fur moults or something, so it comes out- some of it, is that ok in water? If you know what I mean, I don't know how to put it into words well??

Vanilla_Rat · #6 01-21-2008, 11:55 AM

Do you mean shed???

laydeerodentzz · #7 01-21-2008, 02:18 PM

yes, thats it! Thanks

Vanilla_Rat · #8 01-21-2008, 02:20 PM

No problem...and yes it is okay if they shed a little in the water.

rat freak · #9 01-21-2008, 10:22 PM

Hmmm I should introduce my rats to a tiny bath!

Kendalle · #10 01-22-2008, 02:13 PM

you could get a shallow container and have that in the bath tub so they can get in and out of the water.. and maybe have some goodies in it at first so they go chase the treats

laydeerodentzz · #11 01-23-2008, 11:32 AM

Thanks everybody great ideas! I will try at the weekend

MimsicePaw · #12 01-27-2008, 03:36 AM

You should never put a rat in the bath.
They wash there selfs.

Vanilla_Rat · #13 01-28-2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MimsicePaw


	You should never put a rat in the bath. They wash there selfs.

Baths are acceptable sometimes.And they can play in water,if they like it.

pinkie1205 · #14 01-28-2008, 09:23 PM

There is absolutely nothing wrong with putting a rat in a bathtub with a little water. Rats are actually very good swimmers once they get past the water part. I read about a year ago about a HUGE rescue attempt where it took forever to catch these rats because they were jumping into a lake or pond and swimming to the middle.

Putting soap or bubble bath in there would be a HUGE no no unless your are in fact giving them a bath. A lot of people do it to males to get rid of buck grease and a lot of people give them baths to clean their tails (which they don't do themselves.)

laydeerodentzz · #15 01-31-2008, 04:00 PM

I gave them a proper bath and just gently lowered them into the water deep enough for them to swim in. Rayray loved it! He kept on swimming to the deepest end of the tub! Pepper liked it, but once he had enough he actually jumped from the bottom of the bath to the top and started cleaning himself. I got them both out and rubbed them with a hand towel, which I think was their favourite part! Thank you everybody for your help it went really well!!!