Things You'll Need
- Flea comb
- Pet carrier
- Refuse sack
- Dishwashing liquid
- Vacuum cleaner
- Cleaning cloths and sponges
- Disinfectant
- Paper towels
- Pet nail trimmer
- Flea treatment for small rodents
Instructions
Examine your rats carefully. Make sure they really have fleas before doing anything else. If you haven't already seen fleas, try using a flea comb, especially around the rat's hindquarters. Tiny red bugs you can barely see are lice, not fleas. Mites can't be seen with the naked eye and other conditions need to be diagnosed by a vet.
Treat all other animals in the household, their bedding, and the carpets and soft furnishings in your home with appropriate flea treatments.
Remove your rats from their cage and place them in a pet carrier or a rat-proofed room while you clean the cage and surrounding area.
Remove all bedding and disposable accessories such as cardboard boxes. Place in a refuse sack, seal tightly and place in a garbage can outside. Wash other toys and accessories with dishwashing liquid, rinse and leave to dry.
Vacuum the cage and its surroundings thoroughly.
Wipe the cage down with a mild disinfectant. Rinse or sponge away the traces and dry with paper towels. Replace with fresh bedding and new or cleaned accessories.
Check your rats' nails and trim if necessary. This reduces damage from scratching. If you don't know how to trim rat nails, see your vet.
Treat your rats with a medication specially formulated for small rodents if the fleas persist. Follow the instructions on the packaging exactly and, ideally, also seek advice from a vet. Some treatments are topical and others go in the rats' food.