HOT RATS!

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!