Most small animals rarely need to be bathed, but fleas, escape attempts, and breeding can lead to unhygienic conditions. Use these steps to safely and securely bathe degus, or rats.

[edit] Steps

Add 1" of luke warm water to a deep sink such as your kitchen or utility sink.
- Water should feel neutral to your finger. If it feels warm or hot, it's too hot for your pet.
Place your pet in the water, ensuring that its head is well above the waterline. They should be no more than hip-deep, so drain out any excess water.
With your left hand, gently grasp the animal directly behind the head, this will help you keep it from jumping out of the sink (which it will likely try)
With your right hand, drizzle water over the animal, avoiding the head, and rub water into the coat until fully damp.
Pour the size of a small pea of shampoo onto the fingertips of your right hand.
- ~1/4 tsp for rats
- ~1/8 tsp for degus and smaller rodents
Gently massage the animal with the shampoo, circling the body, legs, and arms, but avoiding the head.
Rinse the rodent using the technique in Step 4, then remove the drainplug and add fresh water of the same temperature and rinse again.
Carefully dry the animal with a clean cotton terrycloth towel.
Provide a warm, clean, dry space for the animal to groom itself.

[edit] Tips

Most small animals take poorly to water, so be prepared to ward off escape attempts from a very slippery animal. Draping a towel over most of the sink can be helpful
You might want to consider lining the bottom of the sink or container with a towel so the small animal has more traction and won't slip

[edit] Warnings

Never Bathe a gerbil; this is potentially lethal. However, they do enjoy sand baths.
Never Bathe a hamster. Water can strip oils out of their fur and skin, causing them to become very sick. Like gerbils, they may enjoy sand baths.
Never Submerge a small animal, dunk its head, or pour water over its head. You will drown it.
Never Attempt to wash a small animal's face or ears. Veterinarians can provide special treatments if your animal has eye discharge or ear problems. Soap is not safe for this use.