My husband just bought a hairless rat. Does anyone have

[scarlet_owl]

any experience with these critters? If so, please share.

[Madrone]

1. While I've never had a HAIRLESS rat -

Other than being bald, they're no different than regular rats, and I've had 5 of those!

Rats are AWESOME - but you really ought to get another as they are very social and more prone to going nutso if left alone.

They thrive on attention and love - and live for treats!

[scarlet_owl]

2. Would it be okay if I put another kind of rat in with him, say like

a blue rat? Or does it have to be another hairless rat? I would like to get him a friend.

[Madrone]

3. I would think it would be okay -

the hairless guy may be a little more prone to scratches and bites because it wouldn't have the fur to protect it - and even if they don't have sibling spats on rare occasion they do sometimes bite too hard accidentally when grooming one another.

I'd think an occasional "owie" wouldn't be bad enough to deny it the companionship it would really thrive on. Provided you make it a point to keep an eye on their relationship.

Also - hairlesses (is that a word?) get chilly and have to be kept warmer. I'd say another warm body to snuggle up with would help as well.

Also - I think hairless rats are even more prone to health issues then regular rats - and regular rats are prone to a lot already.

I'd do some searches online - there is a TON of rattie info out there.

[Madrone]

4. Found this online:

Hairless: Hairless rats grow fur but lose it at around 3 or 4 weeks old. Their skin is soft to the touch, like baby skin. They often have some hair on their faces and genital area. Hairless rats have short, curled whiskers. Hairless rats can be any color or ear type. They are warm or hot to the touch because they lose body heat through their skin. This also means they have a higher metabolism and benefit from a little extra protein in their diets (a cat treat or extra bones to chew on are great). Some hairless rats have loose or wrinkly skin, but not all do. They can live happily with other types of rats and have no special needs except that they can't tolerate extreme cold very well (any temperature you find comfortable is fine for them). Nail trimming will reduce accidental scratches, and the hairlessness on their faces can make them more susceptible to eye irritations. Hairlessness is recessive and there are at least three different genotypes. Some hairless lines have trouble lactating, weakened immune systems, or malocclusion (teeth aren't aligned). Hairless rats, in general, have a shorter life expectancy than other rats. Rats that carry a hairless gene but are not hairless do not show any effects related to hairlessness.

http://www.skyclyde.com/HairlessCare.html?1054491765137

http://ratguide.com/health/figures/congenital_hereditary_alopecia_figure_3.php

[scarlet_owl]

5. Thanks for the information and the links.

I'm going to get him a friend when my husband gets paid next.

[LibertyLover]

6. Congratulations

Congratulations on having a rat in your family. They are wonderful pets. I've got 4, all with hair I'm afraid, but boy are they loving. I walk into their room and all of them want to be picked up and cuddled and loved. My daughter loves to go in and look at the rats. She's just 2 and loves to see them and pet them. Sometimes a visit with the rats is what we use to bribe her to go upstairs and start her bedtime routine.

[scarlet_owl]

7. Update- Raoul the hairless rat now has a best friend.

His name is Yuri, and he's a Russian blue rat. Raoul has really come out of his shell since we put Yuri in with him. They are best rat friends and it is so neat watching them interact with each other.

[Madrone]

8. awesome! :)

They really ARE better with a buddy. They are fun to watch together too, I know. I was "talked into" getting 2, when I went to get my first one. After getting them home and watching them together, I was SO happy I got two. THey really do thrive with companionship.

We want PICTURES!

[scarlet_owl]

9. I have to get my husband to take some pictures of him.

I don't know how to work the camera.