Goosemoose Pet Portal

Rats Rule! => Rat Care Corner => Topic started by: itschelsea on May 13, 2008, 07:26:59 PM



Title: they all barber eachother.
Post by: itschelsea on May 13, 2008, 07:26:59 PM
my 3 girls barber eachother! it looks like they all have patchy coats, and i dont want people to think they have a bad diet or they're not cared for. any idea how to stop this? i'm NOT going to separate them.


Title: Re: they all barber eachother.
Post by: ratroadhouse on May 14, 2008, 12:55:48 AM
Increase toys and things to keep them busy. Make sure they have plenty of play time. This may help reduce the barbering.

Barbering should not make a coat look patchy rather it looks like someone trimmed just a section of the fur. Think of a military hair cut not patches.


Title: Re: they all barber eachother.
Post by: Kendra on May 14, 2008, 12:56:47 AM
Unfortunately, some rats are just prone to barbering.  You might try giving them a more stimulating environment.  Sometimes they do it out of boredom. 

http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm

Some of the ideas there may help.  Also, have you treated for mites, just in case?


Title: Re: they all barber eachother.
Post by: itschelsea on May 14, 2008, 07:57:39 PM
yeah, it does look like it's been trimmed, but that makes it look patchy. and i have treated them for mites, and i freeze their bedding, yadda yadda. i guess i could try more toys? ::) sometimes rats are just silly..