Rats and Vacumms

[Jada]

 

Now, this sounds really bad, but I'm being honest- I have a really bad cold that has totally congested my chest and I'm wheezing and can't breathe, etc (enough whining, I know)-my boys are quite stinky, and I was wondering, does the vacumm freak them out? They never seem to mind it next to the cage, but what would happen if I'm vacumming up their bedding while they're hanging in the hammock? Either that, I can put them on my shoulders, but I'm worried the noise will freak them out.

They need to be cleaned, but I can barely breathe as it is. Any suggestions to tide us over until my lungs clear?

[amymckee]

My rats are fascinated by the vacuum. I have one that will start chasing it if I am not careful. I think a lot of rats actually like it.

[Catalyst]

My girls love when I stick the shop vac hose in their cage!

[Ali]

My rats like it too. Fly used to chase it round the cage when he was little. But make sure you let the vacuum run for a few minutes before sticking it in the cage, just to let them get used to the noise.

[Jada]

Odd-I felt like such a bad mommy for even thinking of doing it. They are a bit wonky so Marlowe will likely chase it and Mortimer will chase Marlowe, culminating in a large, painful sounding grooming fest.
Thanks guys!

[Anmllvr731]

oh mine love the vacum. It's gametime and they have a riot chasing it!
Hope ya feel better soon

[Scary Harry]

Mine are timid about the vacuum but LOVE the dustbuster.  If they are really stinky and you feel crummy, you could move their cage. Or else you could bribe a friend to come clean them up for you. You sick or bad allergies?

[Roxanne]

Mine LOVES the vaccum!  Reno rat will chase it around and I have to watch that she doesn't get sucked up!  She's
never been afraid of it.  

[Jada]

Just a HORRIBLE cold that has stopped in my chest like a cat in the litter box. I cleaned it out with the shop vac-it scared the bejeesses out of Mortimer, but Marlowe just slept through it and but his head out for a treat when I was done. No trauma! It's all good.

I'm gonna go hack up a lung now...

[Christy]

Mine love it!  When I have the hose attachment on they like to stick their little hands in it - Frosty just likes his rump to be vaccuumed  You would think the sound would scare them, but nope!

[Yresim]

If you have a cold, you should try to stay away from your rats as much as possible.  They can catch things from you just as you can catch things from them.

[Suebee]

If you have a cold, you should try to stay away from your rats as much as possible.  They can catch things from you just as you can catch things from them.

That is utterly and completely false. The only human illness you have to worry about around rats is strep throat. if you have a cold with an very painful sore throat, you should avoid your rats and get a throat culture.

[Jada]

I didn't think there was really any transmittible diseases between species-most that I've ever read about are rather rare-I DO get strep fairly often-so that's good to know. Any idea what it is if it's lung congestion? I'm beginning to think I have pnemonia! Ugh

The boys are happy-clean cage AND a brand new tissue box to destroy, not to mention they have the puffed kamut that they love again. I think next time the vacumm thing will go down alot better.
Thanks!!!!