[Cheeseyrattos]

I've owned rats for many years, but recently when handling my boyos, I've started getting these little bumps (usually where their little feet were) I've never had this issue before but I've narrowed it down to my boys. I tried keeping their feet wiped clean, and their cage is tidy too, but I'm not sure how else they could be causing these so I was wondering if anyone else has gotten them before? I've never had pet allergies or anything like that so this seems unusual. (Its not a huge deal, just itchy and curious)
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[Rana]

That's super common, it's from your rats' sharp little nails. Some people are more sensitive to it than others- I basically can't touch my rats with bare skin anymore or I get huge welts that last for hours. That's an unusual reaction on my part though, most people only have minor irritation that goes away quickly.

You can trim their nails yourself with clippers or a dremel, or provide rough surfaces like lava ledges, bricks, and concrete (check garden stores to see if they have broken pieces you can have for cheap/free) for them to walk over and wear down their nails themselves. For best results put the stone right underneath their water bottle so they have to stand on it daily. If they use a wheel, some people put sandpaper inside the track but others feel that's too harsh.

Wearing long sleeves will also help prevent them from getting their nails into your skin in the first place.

As for the rash, wash your skin after you let them climb on you and if it's really bad or itchy, take an allergy pill. Topical sprays and lotions will also help, I have had good luck with Benadryl spray but not so much calamine.

 

[rats.sage-and^iris]

That's super common, it's from your rats' sharp little nails. Some people are more sensitive to it than others- I basically can't touch my rats with bare skin anymore or I get huge welts that last for hours. That's an unusual reaction on my part though, most people only have minor irritation that goes away quickly.

You can trim their nails yourself with clippers or a dremel, or provide rough surfaces like lava ledges, bricks, and concrete (check garden stores to see if they have broken pieces you can have for cheap/free) for them to walk over and wear down their nails themselves. For best results put the stone right underneath their water bottle so they have to stand on it daily. If they use a wheel, some people put sandpaper inside the track but others feel that's too harsh.

Wearing long sleeves will also help prevent them from getting their nails into your skin in the first place.

As for the rash, wash your skin after you let them climb on you and if it's really bad or itchy, take an allergy pill. Topical sprays and lotions will also help, I have had good luck with Benadryl spray but not so much calamine.

Thanks! I just got my girls Sage and Iris two weeks ago, they're my first rats ever, so I didn't want to have to give them up (because I'm emotionally attached now) and I was praying it wasn't an allergy because it was on the back of my hands and the back of my neck which was where Sage last climbed. It's also on my arms, but there's not as much and it's less itchy in that general area. I wonder if they have nail clippers in my local pet store?

 

[LT_2022]

I wonder if they have nail clippers in my local pet store?

Yes but none for rats. Use bird nail clippers. Or a Human baby sized one. You'll need someone to hold the very wiggly rat while you carefully trim. Here's how to trim and how much to take off:

Before you make any cut, look at the nail to see where the quick is. Holding the paws under a bright light will help.