Can rats swim in a pool?

well right now i dont have a rat but i am thinking about getting one and i just had this thought- can i take the rat swimming with me? i read in a book i got about them that they are excellent swimmers. I was wondering if the chlorine might harm them or something or would they drown? i thought it would be really fun if they could since i have a pool in my backyard.Can rats swim in a pool?
Very bad idea. All your rat needs is one good inhale through the nose and she/he could die. The rats head will probably be an inch above the surface so when you swim and the water waves it could go over his/her head. Also rats don't like water. when I bathe min I only have the water just above their feet and they shriek like if someone twisting their tail. Just don't do it, it would only end badly. Also you can't just get one, rats are like people socially and if kept alone they will become mentally unstable, whether it be aggression,depression,self harm, destructive to things within in their cage, lethargy, and are more prone to sickness. And yes the shock chlorine and chemicals in the pool will cause a severe skin rash.Can rats swim in a pool?
Please don't do this. The ripples and waves in the water could cause your rat's head to go under water. Rats cannot vomit or easily clear their air passages and/or esophagus, so he or she could be in serious trouble and there is little you could do to help. If you have a kiddie pool and you could put something in the middle so you rat could get out quickly it might be ok, but i still wouldn't risk it. rats may be skilled swimmer but most don't enjoy it.
Rats can swim but i don't think you should take your rat swimming with you. The water is to deep and they wouldn't be able to easily get out when they wanted to. Chlorine wouldn't be good for them either. I don't think it would kill them because rats are very tough but it might make them sick.





I highly recommend that if you want to swim with your rat, take a bath and put them in their with you. that way they can climb on you and it won't have chlorine in it. But don't make the water to hot.





And so far, none of my rats like getting wet. Giving them a bath is like trying to give a cat a bath. They will scratch you up trying to get out of the water.