Preparing for a new rattie!

[Mousey]

wWell I haven't gotten Buddy's friend just yet. but on my bf's next day off we are going to a petstore beacuse they have hairless ratties. So since I have a min before I get one I decided to make sure I have and know everything required to take care of one since they are a little different from reg rats.
:extra bedding/ nesting
:more protein in their diet than a normal ratties.
: extra light olive oil for a tasty cracker dip or to rub them in if the get too dry.
: is there anything else I am missing?
also I doubt I'm going to let him outside esp. since it's cold right now. But one the way home will he need any kind of sunblock? If I decide to let him outside in the summer what kind is safe for hairless rats? Thanks.

[Vanilla_Rat]

As you know,I used to have hairless rats.Looks like you are prepared.

Just make sure they do not overheat or freeze.Because they have lack of fur,I would get my babies fleece blankets for their beds! They loved it!!

I took mine out in the summer a few times and I put children's sunscreen on them.It didn't hurt them and they never got sunburn!

[Mousey]

thanks so much Lisa. Are hairless ratties usually nice to cage mates? Oh yeah also to keep them from over heating what can I do? In the summer it gets pretty hot here but it usually isn't too bad in the house unless the electricity goes out (which it will). Would frozen rice pack and bowls of water for them to sit in be enough?

[Vanilla_Rat]

No problem!

Yes,hairless ratties are good with their cagemates.My two had squabbles sometimes,but mainly because Ringalo would annoy Milenko and then a little squabble would break out.But for the most part they were awesome together! Bonded very tightly.Milenko was so depressed when Ringalo passed,that he passed 3 days later!

I noticed my nekkids were clowns.They were always so happy go lucky and playful! Even as they got older,they never lost their goofyness!

To keep them cool,you can give them ice cubes.Just make sure they don't get too cold.A favorite of ratties is frozen juice cubes.They taste good and keep the ratties cool.Or you can use chinchilla rock things...sorry I am not sure what they are called.Lava rock,maybe? I have never used it,but heard it is good for warm ratties.I'd day your hairless rats would be fine...it is usually the furries we should worry about!

Oh I forgot...nekkid rats seem to have more delicate skin.They will often get scratches from grooming,playing or even fighting.You can dab some polysporin on the scratches.They do heal pretty fast tho.

Good luck and piccies when you get your ratty! How many are you planning on?

[Mousey]

I wanna get one more rat for now so buddy can get a friend. when I can get a bigger cage maybe more. Is the polysporin like a neosporin? So juice cubes eh, I will have to try those in the summer.-or should I say let my ratties try them. And of course I will share pics with your guys! Thanks again Lisa. You're the rattie expert I can depend on.

[Vanilla_Rat]

Polysporin is kind of like neosporin,yes.You can find it in the same section.I don't know what neosporin does,but it may be okay to use.I always use the polysporin cream stuff,because it gets in there and heals them quite fast.

Awww...thanks!