Rat Hates Bath... Now What

[Evie]

My rat could use a tail cleaning. However, she HATES the bath and will not even let me wipe a wet cloth on her tail (or she will, but I can only get one pass). Any suggestions?

[liza]

What are her reactions to the wet cloth?
How old is she?
Why does she need her tail cleaned?
Sorry for asking so many questions instead of throwing out advice. It sounds like your rat doesn't like to be held and is very old so that's why she needs the tail cleaned... ?
So far, I've never had to clean a rat's tail only.
Whenever we had to help our rats to clean (because of very old age and less mobility), we used a luke warm wash cloth and it worked just fine.
Please give us a little more info so we can help you better.

[Evie]

She's about seven months old. She's just a squiggly rat and won't sit still for too many procedures. Her tail has some dirty brown spots so I thought I'd give her a little clean up. The rest of the rat is slightly smelly, but not filthy. She won't sit long enough in a bath for me to do her tail anyway.

[sbdirham]

Could you make a quick pass with olive oil on a paper towel or cotton ball?  That in itself won't clean her tail, but will induce her to clean it herself.

[Telfordrattie]

My ratties don't especially like have their tails or their bodies cleaned.  I use a warm washcloth and then spray on Quick and Clean instant shampoo and run it over their tails while they are with me or out playing.  I do the same for my boys bodies (They are all mostly whiteand for some reason they are dirtier than the girls. Boys!!).  I get a regular size towel that is for my ratties and I start off by holding them in the towel (which doesn't last long) while cleaning their bodies.  As they move around on me, I just give a swipe here and there.  I rinse the washcloth with warm water, spray again and start the process over.  It's not perfect, but at least they're are cleaner than before and it's still time outside the cage and with me, only without all the scratches!  Hope this helps.