Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Could anyone give me any suggestions on what Kind of Lotion to use on Lee? I was considering Udderly Smooth Udder Cream or even Johnson Baby lotion. he has some dry skin and before it gets any worse I would like to get on top of it!!
Sara

not sure how sensitive to hand lotions rats will be...I suggest something completely non scented. The udder cream may be ok. Just add a small amount on a normal area of skin...see if any irritation develops or if your rat spends time licking it off right away. Probably not good to have them licking off the cream, may make them sick if ingested, and if they lick profusely, that can damage the skin.

Natural oils may be better....mink oil maybe? Or the oil replacing stuff used with Ferrets (though what i am thinking of may just be a shampoo designed to protect ferret's fur after cleaning, so their natural oils are not all washed out and dry their skin).

Hopefully those more experienced in rats than I can make better suggestions.
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PHLdyPayne

I've read on other rat forums that olive oil works well and is safe.

What about bag balm? It is formulated for animal use and people just started using it too, and I'd think it should be fairly safe...........

I use udder cream on myself! Love that stuff.

I have allergies, a lot of them & have been in treatment for them for years.
These days after all the treatment I've had the one thing that can bother me most is odors. Perfumes, shampoos, soaps, lotions, creams, scented candles, air fresheners, carpet powders- you name it if it's got a strong odor it just about kills me but udder cream doesn't bother me.
I tried bag balm for my hands once but it's so like Mentholatum I just couldn't stand it.
I think just about anything that doesn't have a strong odor would work out for your hairless rats.
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PHRatz

I have the same problem with strong perfumes etc. However it is more an irritant. Burns my sinuses, stings my hands/skin if I get into contact with it or if very strong, makes my eyes water...One of the reasons I don't like getting into elevators with other women...especially if they are the type that like to bathe in perfume...smelling that stuff to me is like snorting acid up my nose.
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PHLdyPayne

>>I have the same problem with strong perfumes etc. However it is more an irritant. Burns my sinuses, stings my hands/skin if I get into contact with it or if very strong, makes my eyes water...One of the reasons I don't like getting into elevators with other women...especially if they are the type that like to bathe in perfume...smelling that stuff to me is like snorting acid up my nose.

IMO your problem is worse than mine! Yikes ya poor thing!
I get migraine headaches from odors like that but I don't have the burning & I think burning would be worse because 9 times out of 10 I can pop a couple of Advil & I'll be ok.
That one tenth time though is a humdinger!
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PHRatz

well, I can wash off the offensive lotions from my hands..that is only when they burn, if the lotion I use happens to have a strong perfume in it and I didn't notice before I put it on. For the burning stinging sensation in my sinuses, if I get out of the area quick enough I recover and I am fine.. if not, I start to get a headache, my nose runs and is sore for quite awhile afterwards.

One reason I hate going to the walk in clinic...they have purell, that gelled alcohol disinfectant stuff...it has some added scent to it and coupled with the powerful fumes of alcohol...that stuff makes me feel 10 tines worse than the reason I am at the clinic in the first place. And I didn't even use it...its just from everybody else using it while I am there...makes me want to grab all the bottles and hide them till I leave.
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PHLdyPayne

I got O/T but at the bottom of my rant here, I DO have another idea for the hairless who needs lotion!

>>One reason I hate going to the walk in clinic...they have purell, that gelled alcohol disinfectant stuff...it has some added scent to it and coupled with the powerful fumes of alcohol...that stuff makes me feel 10 tines worse than the reason I am at the clinic in the first place. And I didn't even use it...its just from everybody else using it while I am there...makes me want to grab all the bottles and hide them till I leave.

Yeah I see your point.
At my allergy doctor's office there's nothing in there with an odor. They have unscented soap, unscented lotion by the sinks.. they know what they're doing so sometimes I get SO mad when I walk in there & find a woman patient who bathed in cologne..
I always want to just shake people like that!!
How DARE you walk into an allergy doctor's office smelling like that.
I ought to ask a nurse about it, I've often wondered if women who do that get scolded for it when the doctor sees them.
I bought some GermX handsoap the other day because it's the foaming kind.. I can't use it, can't stand the smell of it.

THE RAT who needs lotion..
I thought of this because I was talking about my allergy doctor's office.
They use unscented Lubriderm lotion so I started using it myself. I love that stuff too so it may be an option for the dry rat skin.
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PHRatz

See Rants lead to Great thoughts!!!

I have lots of nudes and they do get dry skin but I have never treated them for it. It just goes away. I would recommend a very small amount of mineral oil. A very small amount because it could cause loose butt. Even Neosporin would work well. Ointments are mineral oil based. Vaseline or Aquaphore are good/safe dry skin treatments for animals. Good luck