Hairless rats have mostly bald, smooth skin, except for a few patches of hair, such as on the genitals.Hairless rats are playful and inquisitive pets, but they may need more attention due to their lack of hair.Learning how to feed, house and protect your rat's health can help you provide excellent care.
Step 1: You should give your rat a lab block.
The majority of your rat's calories should come from lab blocks, since they provide all of the vitamins and minerals you need to be healthy.Hairless rats need more energy to stay warm, so make sure to check on your rat's food supply often.Men and pregnant and nursing rats need less and more of the same.There is a lab block that contains 16 to 18% of the male's body weight.If you're pregnant or nursing, look for a lab block that has 22% protein.Female rats benefit from lab blocks made with soy.
Step 2: You can give your rat fresh fruit and vegetables.
Rats like to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, so try to give your rat a piece of fresh fruit or vegetable every day.Fruits and vegetables are good choices for your rat.
Step 3: Allow your rat to have a treat now and then.
Other foods can be good for your rat.Make sure these are only given once or twice per week.Small pieces of meat such as beef, chicken, or shrimp dog biscuits are good occasional treats for your rat.
Step 4: Provide your rat with enough water.
Water is the best liquid for rats to drink.Make sure that your rat always has access to clean, fresh water in a sipper water bottle.Don't give your rat water.Rats can enter the water with their feces and food.It is easy for your rat to get dehydrated by kicking his water over.You may need to check the water bottle more often because hairless rats drink more water.
Step 5: Your rat shouldn't eat certain foods.
Some foods may be harmful to your rat if he eats too much of them.If you can keep your rat from eating too much, he should be fine.Some foods to avoid giving your rat are green bananas, green potato skins, onions, dry beans, and Rhubarb.
Step 6: A proper cage for your rat is something you should choose.
A wire cage is better than a bird cage.Rats can be kept in an aquarium or glass tank.Make sure you consider size when choosing a cage.Your rat needs room to run around and play in his cage.Make sure your cage is large enough for your rat to run around in.2 square feet per rat is the general rule.There is a floor.The bottom of the wire cage should be solid metal rather than wire.Rats can get their feet caught in cages and this can lead to broken limbs and infections.There are play spaces.Ladders and shelves are important for your rat to climb around in the cage.There is wire spacing.The wire spacing should be equal for adults.The rest of a rat's body can be gotten through a hole.It's best to have a wire spacing of 1/2 inch or less for babies.
Step 7: Softened bedding should be selected.
Both hairless and regular rats need bedding material on the bottom of the cage to run, dig, and sleep.The skin of a hairless rat can be cut by the sharp edges of wood chips.There are wood chips that can dry out the skin.Instead of using paper bedding, use recycled newspaper.Fleece can be used to make a soft blanket.cedar and pine can cause respiratory problems in rats.
Step 8: You should change the bedding frequently.
Rats with no hair are more vulnerable to respiratory infections.You need to change the bedding three times for hairless rats if you clean it a couple of times a week for regular rats.If you want to change the bedding in your rat's cage, dump it into a garbage bag and dispose of it outside.The cage should be sprayed with water and scrubbed with a pet brush and soap.Make sure to rinse off the soap with warm water.Fresh bedding and towels should be added to the inside of the cage.
Step 9: The ambient temperature can be adjusted.
Hairless rats are easier to chill than regular rats.To keep the cage out of drafty areas, you should set the room temperature to the low-to-mid 70s Fahrenheit.The type of heat lamp used in reptile enclosures can help keep your hairless rat warm on chilly days.
Step 10: A hairless rat and a furry rat are possibilities.
Rats are very social pets.It is best to keep two pets of the same age and gender together.Hairless rats like snuggling into the fur of their regular breed companion.If the rats choose to sleep in their own way, you need to put in more boxes or petmocks.When in close proximity, the furry rat will scratch the hairless rat.
Step 11: Take your rat for a checkup.
Regular veterinary visits will help to keep your hairless rat in good health and catch any problems before they become severe.After you get your rat, take it to the vet.If you notice signs that your rat may be sick, you should take him to the vet.Some signs of illness in rats include dull coat, loss of appetite, wheezing, raspy breathing, and sneezing.
Step 12: If necessary, bath your rat.
It is not necessary to bathe your rat often because most rats do a good job of grooming themselves.If your rat develops a bad smell, you may want to give him a bath.You should bathe your rat once or twice a year.If you want to bathe your rat, fill the bathroom sink with warm water.If you want to dunk the rat under the water, use one hand.Use your other hand and a toothbrush to lather a tiny bit of standard human shampoo on the rat's skin.Get soap out of the rat's mouth or eyes.All of the soap needs to be wiped off.Move the rat to a clean cage and dry him with a towel.If you want to speed up the drying process, consider using a heat lamp or hair dryer.
Step 13: The rat has eyes.
Your rat's eyes may need some attention to keep them clean.If you want to clean your rat's eyes, you have to use a sponge.If you notice any debris, wipe it away with the sponge.If you see excessive amounts ofporphyrin, you should consult a vet.Tissues and paper towels can leave pieces of cloth behind, so don't use them for eye cleaning.
Step 14: The skin can be touched.
Hairless rats are concerned about skin irritation.One way to keep your rat's skin in good condition is to give him or her an olive oil massage, which will not hurt him if he ingests it.You can give your rat an olive oil massage by pouring a small amount of oil into a container.Only the eyes, mouth, and inner ears are covered with oil coated fingertips.This massage should be done once a week.You can reward the massage with a snack.Maybe a piece of chicken, turkey, beef, or cube of cheese.