We have the sweetest little rat named Lola. I love to hold her and of course her favorite spot is on my shoulder or behind my neck. The problem is her little nails are so darn sharp that I am constantly getting scratched and my neck just feels so painful and raw. Is there anything I can do? I want to keep holding her, but I don't want the pain. She doesn't do it on purpose...it's just from her natural walking around and sitting there.

Can you file them down a little, just to take the points off them?

good to see another rat owner!! I had a couple a few years ago. they are soo friendly but most people cant see past the fact that they are rats.lol. anyway...hmm..im not sure. I just kinda had to deal with it because i didnt think there was anything to do. I will be interested though if anyone else has a solution. Good luck!!

Can you file them down a little, just to take the points off them?

I don't really know....I'm not really sure I could really hold her foot to do it...her feet are really really delicate. That might be a possible suggestion though...I need to figure something out.

good to see another rat owner!! I had a couple a few years ago. they are soo friendly but most people cant see past the fact that they are rats.lol. anyway...hmm..im not sure. I just kinda had to deal with it because i didnt think there was anything to do. I will be interested though if anyone else has a solution. Good luck!!

They are sooo smart and so sweet, I just love them (L) I really want to figure something out because it hurts and I don't want to stop holding her. I make sure to put some peroxide on the scratches after and that seems to help at least.

One of my daughter's best friend's mother runs a rattery. I've attached the link below. I'm not sure what info is available there, but there's a link to her email if you have any other questions. Hope this helps.

http://www.tinayoungsrattery.com/index.html

I've heard you can clip the nails off at the tip. We had two white female rats in Maine for a couple of years. That is the one single reason I never would hold them, they always scratched me with those claws!

I miss my ratty. Her name was Teasal and she was a Lalic Rex ratty. I never had a problem with claws because she loved to hang out in my hoody pocket during classes.

good to see another rat owner!! I had a couple a few years ago. they are soo friendly but most people cant see past the fact that they are rats.lol. anyway...hmm..im not sure. I just kinda had to deal with it because i didnt think there was anything to do. I will be interested though if anyone else has a solution. Good luck!!

:hi
I am one of them.:lol I just get freaked out. Hope you solve the issue.

Wrap her in a blanket/towel and have your DH hold her then gently take her little foot and cut the tip of the nail off so they are not sharp. I bought little nail scissors to do it with when I had the boys. Then they got a chocolate chip when it was over so they were happy.

ETA...I almost forgot...I also used to put a small brick in their cage under their water bottle so when they were getting a drink they filed thier nails as well. I tried a pumice stone but because it was light they could pick it up and carry it away. The brick actually served dual purpose because in the summer they would fight over who got to lay on it. So I ended up putting two bricks in there.

I agree. See if you can clip or file them.

I used to have 2 rats when I was younger. They were soooo sweet and to me they were cute. They were both girls. We got one and after a while I thought it would be nice for her to have a friend so we got another girl. They got along great. If I took one out the other would pace back and forth and try to look out of the top of their cage to see if she could find the other one. I used to put them on my shouders, too. One passed and soon after the other passed. I would love to get a couple more but I think John would freak.

Wrap her in a blanket/towel and have your DH hold her then gently take her little foot and cut the tip of the nail off so they are not sharp. I bought little nail scissors to do it with when I had the boys. Then they got a chocolate chip when it was over so they were happy.

ETA...I almost forgot...I also used to put a small brick in their cage under their water bottle so when they were getting a drink they filed thier nails as well. I tried a pumice stone but because it was light they could pick it up and carry it away. The brick actually served dual purpose because in the summer they would fight over who got to lay on it. So I ended up putting two bricks in there.

Fantastic ideas!! Thank you! I had read about using the pumice stone as well, but some said they would do like you said and carry it off and some would eat it :lol

I agree. See if you can clip or file them.

I used to have 2 rats when I was younger. They were soooo sweet and to me they were cute. They were both girls. We got one and after a while I thought it would be nice for her to have a friend so we got another girl. They got along great. If I took one out the other would pace back and forth and try to look out of the top of their cage to see if she could find the other one. I used to put them on my shouders, too. One passed and soon after the other passed. I would love to get a couple more but I think John would freak.

They really are just such awesome pets. I was surprised when my dh actually said sure that we could get one...I think he secretly really likes her now :lol

They really are just such awesome pets. I was surprised when my dh actually said sure that we could get one...I think he secretly really likes her now :lol

Aww, she grew on him. :D

Fantastic ideas!! Thank you! I had read about using the pumice stone as well, but some said they would do like you said and carry it off and some would eat it :lol

Your welcome!! I LOVED my rattie boys....they were 3 when they passed away. Stuart gotput to sleep when he got stomach cancer, that was very hard on me and Templeton died shortly thereafter we think strickly because he was so lonely with out his buddy. :unlove

Enjoy your rat...they are AWESOME pets, it's ashame more people can't see through the "ickiness" LOL

I know I hate that part of the rat holding to...so I just wear something that covers most of my neck