Dry Tail, What is it? How do I treat it?

Dry tail is a problem that effects pouched rats of all ages but seems to affect younger pouched rat more commonly. You may also notice is occurring more so during the winter months when the central heating is on.

While dry tail is usually a simple and not serious problem it can get bad if not treated and cause the rat to lose some or all of their tail.

The first things that point to dry tail will be a sore tip to the pouched rats tail. Initially it will only be a few mm in length but may extend down the tip of the tail.

You may find your pouchie cleaning the tip more often or sometimes you will not notice any change in behaviour at all.

The common cause of dry tail is hack of humidity which is common in the winter months in the UK when the air outside is cold and dry.

We have found when our pouched rat suffered from dry tail between the ages of 6 weeks to 4 months of age that applying E45 cream, coconut oil or similar to the entire tail and affected area daily quickly helped keep the tail in tip top condition.

You will find during the winter months that their tails can become very dry and general and coconut oil is a good ointment to use on the entire tail and which when warmed in the hands, quickly soaks in to the tail like a sponge.

E45 is great for the sore areas providing relief to the pouchie.

Another option to combat dry tail is to try and re-humidify the air.

Suggestions to achieve this have been suggested such as.

• Buy a humidifier (can be great for sucking up smells as well)
• Keep more house plants near to your pouched rats cage.
• Leave a dish of water near to your pouched rats cage.
• Leave your clothes drying near to your pouched rat’s cage

All in all keep your eyes on your pouched rats tails and you shouldn’t have a problem. If the tail looks like it is not improving on its own, be sure to see a vet.