Can I wash my rats with dog shampoo?

I bought a rodent shampoo from the pet store and it does nothing to eliminate their smelly odour ( they go back to smelling yucky again)! Is dog shampoo safe to use on a rat or not?Can I wash my rats with dog shampoo?
Do you have male rats or female rats? Female rats have a sweet smell something like grape soda. Male rats have a smell like warm taco chips. This is the male's natural musky scent and you shouldn't be trying to get rid of it. If your rats smell like urine or feces then it means their cage needs to be kept cleaner. Male rats may need their cage to be cleaned out as often as every day. Some males are lazy and they pee in the same bedding they sleep in.





Some male rats,depending on their level of testosterone, have an orangy, oily skin, which we have come to call, ';Buck Grease';


http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=Bu鈥?/a>


This is the only time we use Dawn Dishwashing Detergent is to clean off Buck Grease because it's the only soap that will do the job.





A rat's skin pH is similar to a dog's skin pH so if you use anything other then a dog shampoo or a shampoo made specifically for rodents, you will be unintentionally changing the pH of the rat's skin. This sets up an irritated skin condition (doesn't mean you can see this condition) that will make the rat smell even more. In other words your attempt for a fresh-smelling rat will have backfired as you end up in a vicious cycle that will stop only when you stop bathing the rat. The baby shampoo and the kitten/cat shampoos are not proper shampoos for rats. Don't bathe your rat too often, as you are stripping oils out of the coat.





Yes, you can use a puppy shampoo or an oatmeal based dog shampoo to bathe your rats. It's still contraversial among rat-keepers as to whether or not cat/kitten shampoos are ok. Use them if you will.





Bathing rats:


http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=ba鈥?/a>





spazrats


';my life has gone to the rats';Can I wash my rats with dog shampoo?
I've used dog shampoo on my cats before and other than the fact that they now bark like crazy whenever someone knocks on the door I've had no problems.








Sorry bad joke. I think it would be fine.
Just keep the cage clean. Maybe you need to use a different litter. Rats don't normally smell bad unless the nest does.


Of course their poop and pee smell, but if you keep the cage clean the rat should be okay.


Yes you can wash the rat with puppy shampoo, baby shampoo, or other gentle cleaner; but I wouldn't do it too often; it might become irritating.
Well im not sure about your type of shampoo but i would say if you dont know for sure if u can use it then to use something els because you never know if it really is





Better safe than sorry





kealty
You have a RAT?? Ok,... that's pretty normal. So anyway i think it might be ok to use dog shampoo. Cauz i don't think theres such a thing as rat shampoo. .....








GOOD LUCK WITHE EVERYTHING
I had a rat named Roo who was allergic to everything and had awfull dandruff from the allergy--the vet suggested Johnson's baby shampoo for humans to wash away the skin. It didnt work all that well. Dog shampoo might be too harsh.
Generally yes. My vet actually prescribed a dogs medicated shampoo for my ratty. Are they pretty oily? I used to use a dishwashing soap on him (BE CAREFUL AROUND NOSE AND EYES) and then a tearless baby shampoo. Rats are always going to be kind of stinky, but these ideas should help.





Oh and for all the users out there insulting this gal for having rats, do your research!! A study was done on the best animals for kids and rats are the number one! They are so smart, go potty in one area of their cage, are trainable, rarely bite, give kisses, and truly luv their owners. Rats rock!!
I have many years experience with rats and I can honestly say that the best thing to use to wash them if they get smelly (which they shouldnt be getting THAT smelly if they are being taken care of properly) is Dawn Dishwashing liquid. It doesnt irritate their skin, and leaves them clean and non-smelly. The only thing is, as with any shampoo dont get it in their eyes, nose mouth or ears :)
I use a kitten shampoo on my rats. It's a lot milder than other shampoos and doesn't burn their skin.


My boys only get a bath if they are really dirty, most times they clean themselves. If your rats are males, you can expect a musky type odour but not a nasty stink.








One Sexy Jeep Girl ... great joke. It made me laugh.
NO if you have to use something other than the rodents shampoo try a baby shampoo or puppy and kitten shamppo.
Rodent shampoo?! They have everything nowadays...
No, but you can wash your dog with rat shampoo. (Just remember: lather, rinse, repeat.) Seriously. You shampoo your rats?