Hairless rats are very special and unique animals that need to have cared for with the same potential as the haired rats require. However, they are associated with several concerning health problems, which you will need to take into consideration before you decide to get one. But with a few more precautions are taken to guarantee that they do not become cold and that their delicate skin does not become damaged.
What is a hairless rat?
A rat that does not have any fur is exactly what it sounds like: a hairless rat. The hairless rat is essentially just a subspecies of the fancy rat (e.g., a hairless dumbo rat or a hairless rex rat).
They are clearly distinguished from ordinary rats because of the pink and silky texture of their skin, but otherwise, they appear to be typical rats.
While albino hairless rats have red eyes, the majority of hairless rats have black eyes, which are considered to be “normal.” Since rat skin does not contain color, black hairless rats are not actual hairless rats despite their appearance. Therefore, any coloration that may be noticed is most likely just extremely short dark hair.
Because of this, we may deduce that the rat in question is not entirely hairless but rather a homozygous Rex rat that is only displaying a moderate degree of hair loss.
Why are hairless rats hairless?
According to research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, hairlessness in rats is caused by a genetic defect that stops the development of the thymus gland. The absence of a thymus gland in hairless rats results in a significant immunological deficiency in these animals.
According to the Laboratory Animal Science Journal, hairless rats have hair when they are born, but because they have an impaired immune system, their birth hair will fall out completely within a few weeks or months after birth.
The progeny of hairless rats have a 50/50 chance of inheriting their baldness, depending on whether or not the hairless parent was bred with another hairless rat or a hairy rat. If the hairless parent was bred with a haired rat, the progeny will inherit their hair.
If one of the parents has hair but the other does not, then their genes may be recessive for the hairless gene, and as a result, their offspring may have unaffected thymus glands.
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Rattus |
| Species: | R. norvegicus |
| Subspecies: | R. n. domestica |
Hairless Rat Personality
It’s been shown that hairless rats and ordinary rats have very similar personalities. This includes their temperaments. They are very intelligent animals that can form close bonds of affection with people. They also fare better with the company of another rat, and hairless rats, in particular, frequently express gratitude for the company of a conventional fuzzy rat that they may huddle with for warmth.
Hairless Rat Care
The care of a hairless rat is slightly more involved than that of a fancy rat with fur. This implies that you will not only need to provide them with more upkeep in terms of grooming, but you will also need to ensure that they consume the suitable nutrition.
Best Cage for a Hairless Rat
The only significant difference between a cage for a rat with fur and one for a hairless rat is the requirement that you keep the hairless rat warm at all times. This is the only factor that matters. Because they do not have fur, hairless rats are more prone to suffering from damage to their skin as well as being chilled by draughts. Because of this, you ought to do the following:
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Ensure that any cage you purchase does not have any possible rough edges that your rat could brush against and damage themselves.
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Put the cage in a spot where the animals won’t be at risk of being exposed to the chilly air, like near the door that leads to the garage or the front door.
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The room’s temperature should be kept at a constant range of 64 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit at all times.
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Just like with any other breed of rat, you should choose an enclosure for your hairless rat that is at least 24 inches in length, 12 inches in width, and 12 inches high. This is the minimum recommended size.
Because of their sensitive skin and temperature concerns, some owners of hairless rats want to house their pets in glass tanks rather than open-wire cages. This is a considerably more expensive alternative, but it is the best one available.
Summary:
A hairless rat is a rat that does not have fur. Hairlessness in rats is caused by a genetic defect that stops the development of the thymus gland. The progeny of hairless rats have a 50/50 chance of inheriting their baldness, depending on whether or not they were born with a hairless or hairy rat. The care of a hairless rat is slightly more involved than that of a fancy rat with fur.
Hairless Rat Bedding
Even hairless rats require warm, pliable bedding to maintain their body temperature. They will find the bedding comprised of wood shavings and chips to be extremely uncomfortable, and it may even irritate their skin. They can do OK on paper bedding such as Carefresh as long as you change it every day because the paper can hurt their skin once it becomes dirty with piddle.
Other materials that can be used as bedding for hairless rats include shredded pieces of fleece, ripped-up T-shirts, and goods made of cotton such as towels. Because their skin can be easily affected by piddle in the cage, you will need to be very conscientious about keeping their bedding clean daily.
Feeding a Hairless Rat
The diet of hairless rats is essentially the same as that of ordinary rats; however, they require a greater quantity of food. This is because, to keep their bodies warm, they have a greater metabolism and hence burn more calories than a rat with fur would.
They should be provided with rat pellets as their primary source of nutrition, with fresh fruits and vegetables serving as dietary supplements at a ratio of approximately 80 percent pellets to 20 percent fresh meals.
Bananas, broccoli, carrots, grapes, kale, kiwi, pears, plums, spinach, sweet potatoes, and watermelon are just some of the fresh foods that rats enjoy eating. Rats also like kiwi and kale. Remember the following:
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Any fruits or vegetables that you give them should be cut up into tiny pieces, and any uneaten fresh food should be removed if it has not been eaten within a day.
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Another supplement that can be added to their food is a few drops of olive oil, which can help keep their skin from getting dry, in addition to having several other benefits.
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There should also be fresh, clean water available at all times, because hairless rats tend to consume more water than other types of rats do.
Hairless Rat Enrichment and Exercise
To maintain their happiness and good health, hairless rats, like all rats, require daily enrichment activities. You need to get kids a wide selection of toys to play with. Simply ensure sure they are cleaned regularly, and steer clear of any toys that could have protruding parts.
They will also require time out of their cage every day; try to give them at least an hour of opportunity to play while being watched. Your rat will benefit from spending time with you as well as from the bonding experience that comes with exercising, all thanks to this activity.
Hairless Rat Health
Because they are more susceptible to health problems than other rats, the lifespan of the hairless rat is a little bit lower than that of other rats. The average lifespan of a hairless rat is approximately one year, while the species as a whole can live anywhere from one to three years. Their skin is prone to easily being inflamed and infected, which can be a significant obstacle and even be fatal in some cases.
If you discover any signs of skin irritation on your hairless rat, you should take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. When handling your hairless rat, it is essential to always wash your hands first and even use hand disinfectant to keep their skin free of any allergens and bacteria. Failing to do so may result in the rat’s skin becoming infected.
Hairless Rat Grooming
To maintain your pet’s overall health, you will need to pay special attention to the condition of their skin. This involves bathing them once every week or every other week using shampoos specifically formulated for those with sensitive skin.
Baby shampoos that are tear-free and nontoxic are options, as are pet shampoos formulated to be gentle, such as Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo. Another option is to use human shampoo. A few words of care advice are as follows:
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After bathing your rat, make sure it is properly dried off and kept in a warm area, as rats can develop a cold while they are wet.
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If the skin of your rat appears to be dry, you can use olive oil to soothe it. However, you should avoid using any kind of commercial lotion or moisturizing cream because the rat will most likely lick these off and ingest them, which can be harmful. Olive oil can be used to soothe the skin of your rat if the skin of your rat appears to be dry.
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If you notice that your rat’s skin is becoming too dry, you can also place a humidifier in their space that emits warm mist rather than cool spray.
Getting a Hairless Rat
The price of a hairless rat can range anywhere from $25 to $100. Pet businesses that specialize in the sale of small animals, as well as breeders who specialize in rats for the fancy market, are good places to look for them.
On the website of the American Fancy Rat & Mouse Association, you will find a directory of local rat clubs as well as information about where to locate breeders of specialty rats. You might also search the websites Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet to see if any local shelters have hairless rats that are up for adoption in your area.
Hairless Rats Can Make Great Pets
It’s safe to say that hairless rats make for cute, intelligent pets that are also excellent cuddlers. If you do decide to get one into your home, you must take into account the fact that they have unique requirements for their care in comparison to “normal” rats with fur.
You will also need to have the understanding that it is better to have at least two, as a hairless rat will need a friend to snuggle with much more than a typical rat will to feel comfortable. Other than that, provided you are prepared to care for their skin and health, hairless rats may be affectionate, engaging companions with a look that is all their own.
Summary:
Hairless rats require warm, pliable bedding to maintain their body temperature. They should be provided with rat pellets as their primary source of nutrition. Fresh fruits and vegetables should also be added to their diet to help keep their bodies warm. The diet of hairless rats is essentially the same as that of ordinary rats.
Types of the Hairless Rat
There are in fact three distinct varieties of hairless rat pets, each of which comes from a unique genetic lineage despite the fact that at first glance they could appear to be the same. Aside from the peculiar appearance of their fur, these rats often have a more compact body size than other typical fancy rats.
People who suffer from allergies may find that they are able to tolerate them better than furry rats, despite the fact that their owners mistakenly believe that they are hypoallergenic due to the absence of hair on their bodies.
Double Rex Hairless Rats
The presence of two copies of the rex gene in a rat’s genome results in a hairless rat rather than a rat with the typical curly rex coat. These rats do have eyebrows, and their whiskers can be short and crimped or long and curly.
On their head or feet, you might find some peach fuzz-like hair that looks like little patches. Although the coloring will show up on their skin, these rats can also come in a variety of hues. The coloring is similar to how the coat color of a hairless cat appears. Rats of the Double Rex variety can have virtually any color coat and ear shape, and their eyes can be either black or red.
Patchwork Hairless Rats
The presence of two rex genes also leads to the development of the patchwork hairless rat. The name of this species of rat comes from the curly or fuzzy hair that can cover the entirety of its body or emerge in a few localized patches alone.
These rats have a propensity to lose their hair as they get older, but it will eventually come back in, sometimes in the same places and sometimes in other ones as they age. In addition, there is a wide variety of colors, ear types, and eye colors found in patchwork hairless rats.
Sphynx or Truly Hairless Rats
The Sphynx rat, which gets its name from a kind of hairless cat, is a type of pet that is kept far less frequently than other types of rats. These rats have been bred to have absolutely no hair, including their whiskers and eyebrows; they are hairless from head to tail.
In most cases, these rats are not produced with the intention of keeping them as pets but rather for the express purpose of employing them in scientific study. The average lifespan of a hairless Sphynx rat is approximately one-half that of a typical rat.
Because of their genetic make-up, which includes congenital defects in their immune system, they are predisposed to a variety of diseases, including those that affect the respiratory system, bacteria, the kidneys, and the liver.
Summary:
The presence of two copies of the rex gene in a rat’s genome results in a hairless rat. People who suffer from allergies may find that they are able to tolerate them better than furry rats. The Sphynx rat gets its name from a kind of hairless cat. These rats have been bred to have absolutely no hair, including their whiskers and eyebrows.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Following are some of the important questions:
1: Are hairless rats good pets?
It’s safe to say that hairless rats make for cute, intelligent pets that are also excellent cuddlers. If you do decide to get one into your home, you must take into account the fact that they have unique requirements for their care in comparison to “normal” rats with fur.
2: How much is a hairless rat?
You should anticipate paying anything between $25 to $50 for a hairless from a stockman. The price may be a little higher if the rat originates from highly regarded stock and/or if the stockman engages in health testing or any other preventative measures.
3: What is a hairless rat called?
The only distinguishing feature between hairless rats and their furred relatives is that the former has very little to no body hair. These wrinkly rodents, which are also known as rats or Sphinx rats, are more often regarded as a kind of rat in the United States than they are in Europe.
4: How long does a hairless rat live?
Not only do hairless rats lack hair, but they also do not have thymus glands in their bodies. A gland that plays an important role in the formation of the immune system. In conclusion, how long does the life of a rat without hair typically last? The typical life span of a fancy rat is about 18 months, whereas a hairless rat only lives between 6 and 12 months on average.
5: Do rats recognize their owner?
Rats have enduring relationships with the people who own them. If you ask any person who owns rats, they will tell you that their rats know who they belong to and will respond to the sight and sound of their owners. They are highly sociable and absolutely adore spending time with the members of the human family, whether it is on the couch, on people’s shoulders, or on their laps.
6: Can a rat cry?
During times of high stress, the Harderian gland located behind a rat’s eyes will release a chemical known as porphyrin. Rats have this gland. A red or pink discharge provides the appearance of a rat crying blood, giving the condition its name. In most cases, a rat will only make a negligible amount of porphyrin before grooming it away.
7: Are hairless rats healthy?
The typical lifespan of a hairless rat is one year, which is significantly lower than that of other types of pet rats, which tend to be closer to two years. There are several explanations for this phenomenon. Their sensitive skin is easily damaged, and even a minor scrape or scratch can cause their skin to become irritated and even lead to an infection in some cases.
8: What is the difference between fancy rats and dumbo rats?
The Dumbo rats and Fancy rats have ears that are placed far higher than the Dumbo rats do. Except for the size of their ears, fancy rats and Dumbo rats have the exact same physical appearance. The Dumbo type of fancy rat has ears that are set lower and more round, whereas the ordinary Fancy rats have ears that are set higher and more compact. The term “fancy” refers to any large domesticated rat, regardless of breed.
9: What is an agouti rat?
The natural coloration of wild rats is called agouti. Each individual hair is not uniform in color but rather consists of three distinct bands of color. The hair of an Agouti is often a dark slate hue with a rich chestnut tint around the root of the hair. Agouti has a relatively straightforward genetic make-up. There are two types of alleles found in Agoutis: “A” Agouti and “a” non-Agouti.
10: Can hairless rats get fleas?
Fleas are not often found on rats; nevertheless, they can be passed on to your pet rat from other rodents, such as cats or dogs, or even other wild rodents. It is essential to provide ongoing flea treatment and maintenance for any animal that has fleas in order to maintain a flea-free environment for both your pet and the surrounding area.
Conclusion:
A hairless rat is a rat that does not have fur. Hairlessness in rats is caused by a genetic defect that stops the development of the thymus gland. The progeny of hairless rats have a 50/50 chance of inheriting their baldness, depending on whether or not they were born with a hairless or hairy rat. The care of a hairless rat is slightly more involved than that of a fancy rat with fur. Because they do not have fur, hairless rats are more prone to suffering from damage to their skin as well as being chilled by draughts.
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