How to Groom a Rat

For those who have a pet rat, grooming is a real part of the experience. Rats handle most general cleaning by themselves, but sometimes you may find that your rat is a little smelly or has trouble with stains on its fur, or its tail is kind of scaly. Most of the time your rat will only need you to wash its tail, but there are cleaning solutions for other grooming issues, like nail trimming and shampooing. Dealing with grooming in a safe, effective way can make it a good experience for both you and your pet rat.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 medium bowls
  • Warm water
  • Baby or kitten shampoo
  • Toothbrush or soft baby brush
  • Soft towel
  • Olive oil
  • Wet washcloth
  • Claw/nail trimmers
  • Pet cleansing wipes
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Instructions

  1. Washing

    • 1

      Add warm water to both bowls, to about the height of your rat's shoulders. One bowl is for soaping, the other is for rinsing. Using your hand or a thermometer, be sure the temperature is about 97 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 2

      Holding your rat firmly but gently, place your rat in the water of one bowl. Some rats really enjoy this, while others do not, so keep a firm grip on the rat but be careful not to get scratched or bit. The Rat Care Guide website suggests holding the rate with thumb and ring finger around its middle under its front legs, with pointer and middle finger holding the rat above its front legs near its neck.

    • 3

      Gently add about a pea-size amount of shampoo to the rat's fur and agitate. Do not get any in the rat's ears or eyes. Place your rat into the second bowl of clean water and rinse.

    • 4

      Remove your rat from the second bowl and gently towel it dry. Keep your rat in a warm place while it is still damp to keep the rat's temperature from dropping too much.

    • 5

      Gently brush out the rat's fur with a soft brush.

    Tail Care

    • 6

      Mix a pea-size amount of olive oil with an equal amount of shampoo whenever you notice your rat's tail is visibly dirty or scaly.

    • 7

      Taking a soft toothbrush, start at the base of the rat's tail, closest to its rear. Gently brush and massage with the lightly oiled/soapy toothbrush. Try to loosen any scaly bits, but rub only toward the tip of the tail or you can irritate the rat's skin.

    • 8

      Gently rinse the soapy/oiled tail clean with a wet washcloth, then dry it gently.

    Nail Care

    • 9

      Check the length of your rat's nails. If they are long enough to curl excessively while your rat is standing or appear to be causing the rat discomfort, you should trim its nails.

    • 10

      Distract your rat with a treat, like raisins, so it will be more easy to handle. Use two people if possible, one to hold the rat still and one to hold the rat's foot and trim the nails. For one person, wrap the rat in a towel to keep it from squirming, exposing only one foot at a time, or find a way to hold the rat while trimming its nails that works for you.

    • 11

      Gently trim only the very ends with a small pet claw trimmer or baby nail clippers. Trim any nails that are excessively long or sharp, but avoid cracking the nail or cutting into the pink "quick" of the nails, as it will bleed and hurt your rat.