Help with a rat
- Thread starter camimom
- Start date
KatCham
Established Member
Hmmmm, I think that moment might have passed?? LOL
The best thing for her is rat food unfortunately for you. It's developed for their needs, so just get a small bag? Then if anyone wants to take her, you have some food to send with her
Hope you find a loving home for her. She looks really sweet natured
KatCham
Established Member
Hahaha. Just saw your older post about keeping her.
They are addictive because of their cute little personalities
If you are keeping her and getting the proper enclosure etc... one tip would be not to use wood shavings as a substrate. The dust can cause RI which rats seem rather prone to in relation to other rodents. Shredded cardboard or paper would be your best bet as the dust is extracted from it.
Oh and buy some rat food if she's staying anyway!!! LOL
Check out this forum for any help or tips you might need I found it a really pleasant community when I had my boys Marley n Merlin
( RIP handsome lads )
http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/home/
They are addictive because of their cute little personalities
If you are keeping her and getting the proper enclosure etc... one tip would be not to use wood shavings as a substrate. The dust can cause RI which rats seem rather prone to in relation to other rodents. Shredded cardboard or paper would be your best bet as the dust is extracted from it.
Oh and buy some rat food if she's staying anyway!!! LOL
Check out this forum for any help or tips you might need
I found it a really pleasant community when I had my boys Marley n Merlin 
( RIP handsome lads
)http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/home/
pssh
Avid Member
I've read that people really recommend ferret cages for rats so that they have plenty of room and lots of places to climb. Be careful with the bar spacing though, you don't want her escaping on you. Usually those cages you buy at pet stores specifically labeled for rats (or hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. for that matter) are too small for the animal. Plus, the smaller the cage, the quicker it gets gross with poops and pee. I am also a huge advocate of using fleece for the bedding if your rat doesn't particularly like to nest. I would only use any kind of loose stuff in the litter tray if she is potty trained or becomes potty trained. Fleece is so much nicer looking, easier to clean, cheaper in the long run, smells better, has no dust, and is re-usable. I just sew some towels/other absorbent fabric (uhaul pads are great for this!) to the bottom of the fleece. The water/urine/whatever else just wicks through the fleece and to the absorbent material. Then when you need to clean, all you have to do is pop the fleece into the washer. I have two-three on hand at all times for my guinea pigs so that I can lay a clean one down while the dirty one is in the wash.
camimom
New Member
Thanks everyone!
Yea ive seen those 'rat' cages at stores and i always thought they were way to small for a rat.
Pssh- she loves fleece. I had an old pillow that got ripped and put some of the stuffing in with her, and she loves to nest in it..
I love the fleece lining idea though, no shavings, or at least alot less, means i dont have to scoop cage out like i do with my ferret or liter boxes as much as i do with my cat.
right now shes sitting on my shoulders under myhair snuggled up into my fleece robe.
And will be getting some rat food now, just didnt want to before because i was hoping she would be rehomed within 24 hours of me finding her.
She has to stay in the rubbermaid bin today as i have no time to get to a petstore, but first thing tomorrow morning, she'll have one.
Yea ive seen those 'rat' cages at stores and i always thought they were way to small for a rat.
Pssh- she loves fleece. I had an old pillow that got ripped and put some of the stuffing in with her, and she loves to nest in it..
I love the fleece lining idea though, no shavings, or at least alot less, means i dont have to scoop cage out like i do with my ferret or liter boxes as much as i do with my cat.
right now shes sitting on my shoulders under myhair snuggled up into my fleece robe.
And will be getting some rat food now, just didnt want to before because i was hoping she would be rehomed within 24 hours of me finding her.
She has to stay in the rubbermaid bin today as i have no time to get to a petstore, but first thing tomorrow morning, she'll have one.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
IMHO anyone who bothered to have her spayed would most likely be searching for her! It would most likely show that her owners cared about her a lot.
Rats are such underrated pets. They are great creatures and companions!
Andee
Chameleon Enthusiast
It's mostly cedar and pine that give off the scent and oils that can harm a rat. But either way I always use the shredded paper stuff made for small furry friends called Carefresh. I always get the untreated, so no color or dyes kind. ^^ Also I agree with getting a ferret cage or whats sometimes called a rat mansion for her. Just because it gives them a lot of exercise and keep excess weight off. I'm glad you are keeping her ^^ she will have a great home 8D
qdude46
Member
if the part where they climb is metal barks put something over it to avoid foot sores because once a rat is adjusted to a cage they will very unlikely try a new one because a ferret cage might have that i wish i had a ferret sadly in california you can own one but you ant buy/sell any
camimom
New Member
I have a ferret, they are so much fun, and so cute. and they really dont smell if you keep their cages clean and them.
Im getting a rat cage tonight. Not sure what i plan to get.. might get something to just tide her over until i can get a nice sized one. will be better than my rubbermaid bin shes in right now.
IVe got some left over cardboard litter stuff from my ferret that he didnt like so ill use that for the bottom of the cage.
SHe loves cheerios. eats those before anything else.
Once my tax refund comes in ill take her off to the vet to get a check up and see if shes spayed...
Im getting a rat cage tonight. Not sure what i plan to get.. might get something to just tide her over until i can get a nice sized one. will be better than my rubbermaid bin shes in right now.
IVe got some left over cardboard litter stuff from my ferret that he didnt like so ill use that for the bottom of the cage.
SHe loves cheerios. eats those before anything else.
Once my tax refund comes in ill take her off to the vet to get a check up and see if shes spayed...
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
I have sucker tattooed on my forehead.
No you don't. You have "big heart and compassion" tattooed on your forehead.
Rats are great. She will give you the appreciation and affection your cham never will. Every cham owner should have at least one social animal to remind them they are valued.
Fretfreak13
New Member
+1 to what Andee said. NO CEDAR!!!! I have spent over 200 dollars in friggin vet bills because of sinus infections from cedar chips. For the record, if any sinus infections ever occur with these little guys they get a red discharge from their nose and eyes. It's not blood, don't panic.
There is a nice, rat-safe bedding called CareFRESH that you can get at any chain pet store. Its not the most natural looking thing, but it does absorb odors nicely. I had two rats together and could get by only changing it monthly.
Since you're keeping her, the best rat food out there is Oxbow.
There is a nice, rat-safe bedding called CareFRESH that you can get at any chain pet store. Its not the most natural looking thing, but it does absorb odors nicely. I had two rats together and could get by only changing it monthly.
Since you're keeping her, the best rat food out there is Oxbow.
camimom
New Member
No you don't. You have "big heart and compassion" tattooed on your forehead.
Rats are great. She will give you the appreciation and affection your cham never will. Every cham owner should have at least one social animal to remind them they are valued.
Thanks! lol. SHes super sweet, and just loves to be cuddled. and give kisses.
She only had the ceder cuz thats what i had handy.. wasnt exactly expecting a rat friend to appear.
ive already gotten that bedding.
Fretfreak13
New Member
Update! How's Gertie?
