Keeping Your Ratties Cool When Its Hot!!!!

[ratgr...@gmail.com]

I got this from Ratplanet.co.uk/

Please READ and FOLLOW if you have rats, but do not have A/C - It could
mean your rat's life. Thanks! =):

"Hot weather means hot rats! They are very prone to overheating and
they can't sweat like we do, or pant like dogs. They may lick
themselves all over in order for the water to evaporate and cool them,
but any excess heat is lost through their tails. If your rat's tail is
hot - your rat is too hot and needs to be cooled down.

A heavy, shallow bowl of cool water will be like heaven for your
overheated rats. They often like to sit in the water...just their tail,
bottom and paws immersed is enough to cool them down.

·Why not let your rats have a paddle? A shallow cat litter tray, or an
unused paint tray, makes an ideal paddling pool. Never leave your pets
unattended in the water.

·Make sure that there is a good supply of fresh, cool water for your
rats to drink at all times, especially in hot weather. Gravity dropper
bottles need to be refreshed, and the nozzle cleaned every day in warm
weather. If your rat has a bowl to drink out of, make sure you keep the
water - not only cool and fresh - but clean too. Rats will often use
their drinking bowl to wash and cool themselves. A couple of ice cubes
may be added.

·Keep your rats out of direct sunlight at all times - not just in the
warm weather. The constant light and heat can have devastating effects
on rats. After all, they are nocturnal creatures.

·Keep a window open to allow fresh air into the room - but make sure
no other animals (kitty!!) can get in. This is not only important for
cooling purposes, but it also helps to prevent respiratory infections
(which are far too common in rats). Avoid using sprays such as air
fresheners and fly killers, and make sure that there is no smoking
around your rats! Any of these can irritate and cause chest problems.

·Another problem that comes with the warm weather - flies and ants!
Ants have a way of creeping in to even the cleanest household. Check
nests and bedding as you clean them, as with litter trays etc. Ideally,
this should be done at least twice as often in hot weather. Never us
sprays - Fly Killer may kill more than just flies!

·Construct a cooling system from glass bottles or jars, filled with
water and then put in the freezer overnight. Leave the lid off in the
freezer or the bottle may crack. Pack these around your rat's cage or
nest to form a cooling air-flow. Be sure to keep them away from any
electrical equipment and plug sockets. Water droplets often form and
drip down onto whatever is below. This could be a fire hazard! If you
use plastic containers, keep them out of reach of claws and teeth. You
could find yourself with a waterfall on your hands. Beware of the blue
inserts inside cooler bags - they contain chemicals, and could be
lethal if ingested by your rats.

·HEATSTROKE can be a killer, and if your rat is suffering - get him to
a vet as soon as possible. Symptoms of heatstroke include drooling,
lethargy or unconsciousness. If you think your rat may be suffering
from heat stroke, cool him down straight away. Give him water
containing a pinch of sugar and salt, or a preparatory product like
Dioralyte, and get him to a vet immediately.

Be cool - but be safe!"

~ Courtesy of RatPlanet.co.uk/

[a...@ajleair.net]

Thanks, so much.
I don't have air conditioning and it has been hot. I have been doing the
bottle with frozen water thing but will try a saucer of cool water.
What about a gentile spritz of cool water?

[jenn mitchell]

yes, that will help them, too... We don't have A/C either...so what
Iv'e been doing (beside the bowl of water for them to play in) if I
see one of them having problems, I put them in the tub with the faucet
running real thin - they like to run underneath the streaming water
and back again. .That has helped, too...

How are the boys doing? Hows Moe?

Jenn

--
Have You Smelled Your Rat Today?
www.freewebs.com/shikasrattierescue/
--
Make a Rat Smile, Buy Avon From Me.
www.youravon.com/jennifermitchell

[Bevlu...@aol.com]

In the event of your rat being in distress, you do have to cool them down, but slowly. If they're showing signs of heatstroke, use tepid water, not cold or even cool as that could be too much of a shock to their system. Dip or wipe their feet and tails, then leave them to dry naturally, repeat if you think they need it, also offer cool things to eat and drink for whn they do regain their strength, like watermelon, cucumber, that sort of thing.

 

If they're too hot in their cage, soak a towel in cold water, wring it out so it's not dripping, then drape the towel over the cage, the cool towel will attract the heat away from the cage, while hydrating the air too.

 

Bev x

 

<:3 )~~
Owner of Clubrats 2
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clubrats2/#

Visit my new and improved ratty website, now with Ratabilia and E-Greetings!!

http://www.freewebs.com/bevluvsrats/index.htm

*It has recently been discovered, that research causes cancer in rats!*


_ _

[ratgr...@gmail.com]

Thank you Bev.........

For pointing this out - It is something I forgot to stress...and it is
important to know, too....

~jenn & the
ratties de shika

[Bevlu...@aol.com]

In a message dated 02/07/2005 05:38:41 GMT Daylight Time, ratgr...@gmail.com writes:

Thank you Bev.........

For pointing this out - It is something I forgot to stress...and it is
important to know, too....

 

No problem, that's what the groups are there for! ;-)