Essential oils and rats

[shellanne]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone here uses aromatherapy or essential oils with their rats. I have done research on it, and from what I understand, if I introduce new oils very slowly and in little amounts, and the rats don't react badly, they should be fine (with the exception of particular oils, and nothing too strong). I have read also that this is evidence that essential oils add to a rats well being and health, helping to calm them and provide a happy home.

I mainly use oils to clean out their cages and attempt to make them smell better (in a mixture of vinegar and water) but I would like to use them for massage (majorally diluted) and for washing bedding. What does everyone think? Does anyone have any practical experience/advice? Thanks

[insanity]

Hi Shellanne,

I'm pretty new to owning rats, and since I bought them I haven't burned any incense (while previously I did quite a bit) because their sense of smell is so much stronger than humans'. I also ventilate the room as often as I can remember to; but despite the extra precautions, my rats still sneeze a lot (which I believe is a sign that some smell is bothering them).

If one of the experts on here says definitely no, then I'd take their advice. And if you do try it, and they start sneezing then it's probably a sign that it's irritating them and might be best to stop.

[shellanne]

Thanks for your reply Insanity... I've had no problems with geranium oil for cleaning (made up with vinegar and water) and I've heard of and used myself Vanilla Essence for cleaning the cage and removing smells, and thankfully my rats have never sneezed afterward...but they were in small amounts. Thank you though, I will look out for sneezing. We have hermit crabs as well, so I watch anything that is sprayed/used around our rats and crabs, because it can easily kill the crabs, although I wonder if our ratties are more resistant than the crabbies.

[Leeann]

I wash my cage with dog shampoo for flea control, this helps keep the mites out.
Dry with paper towel, then wipe everything over with vanilla essence.

[shellanne]

Thanks Leeann, I'll try that one!