Need an answer fast!

[Claire&snek]

Hi all! I'm so sorry Im being short but I don't have a lot of time...I was thawing my rat and the cup slipped and half of the rat fell in the kitchen sink. I immediately picked it up but is it still safe to feed or do I need to throw it out and get another one? I don't want her to get bacteria from anything that the rat might of picked up when it fell or is there nothing the rat could pick up? Thanks so much!

[Luvyna]

If you don't use harsh chemicals in your sink then I think it's fine. Give the rat a rinse and feed as usual - I've eaten fruit I dropped in the kitchen sink after rinsing it off and I'm still alive and kicking. If there's the possibility of the rat being contaminated by chemicals or cleaners then I would say better safe than sorry and throw it out.

[Bogertophis]

I'd rinse it off & feed also. (assuming your sink isn't full of bleach or something, lol)

[Claire&snek]

Ok thank you! Actually ironically, the rat burst all over me a second ago so I will be picking up another rat tomorrow anyways. I just feel bad because things always come up so her feeding day keeps getting pushed farther and farther and she is very hungry and the days when I do get ready to feed her something happens to the rat b/c I am mildly clumsy. Thanks so much and wether I have to move heaven and earth for her to eat tomorrow, I will. Blessings to all!

[Bogertophis]

It shouldn't have "burst all over..." so I hope you're thawing properly? In cool/cold water until soft (thawed) throughout, & only then briefly warmed up & offered. (OR, thaw for overnight+ in the refrigerator until soft throughout, etc.) When rodents fall apart easily it means they're spoiled, as when thawed in hot water, allowing spoilage, or if not frozen promptly after it was killed & then allowed to spoil, so it was already rotten as you thawed it.

[303_enfield]

You cooked the rat. Slow thaw, in cold/cool water, the frig (takes a day or two) or in the bag left on top of the snake cage. Hit it with the hair dryer after thawed or a three minute dip in 90 degree water.

Thawed prey should be soft an not smell "funky" or stink.


Good luck!