Two New...

DiamondPuppy0809 · January 2010

Ratties! OMG, I am so excited! Sorry to "steal Pepper97's thunder" about her just getting a new rat, but I had to share! xD Since rats are very social creatures and should be kept with a cagemate, I'm getting two females. Hopefully named Lylah and Dayzie, but I always have to meet an animal before I choose it's name or not. More often than not, they end up with different names than the planned ones! I haven't bought any of the supplies yet (minus the cage), so suggestions? I know wheels can be kind of "hazardous" because they can get their tails stuck and tangled in them, but, is it alright if I get one? I want to get as many toys and attention-gaining objects for them so that they're not too bored while I don't have them out. I will buy a large ball for them so they can explore the house (we have cats and dogs so we can't have them roaming out of a ball.. plus, I don't want to come even close to losing them!) I'll be buying one or two hammocks for them to sleep in, plus bedding (soft, fluffy stuff xD), and a hide-out. Plus, I've heard some parrot toys amuse them more than plain old rodent toys because they're so smart. So I'll probably get some safe ones of those, too. I'll also get some "obstacles" for them to climb over and play in/underneath. The cage WILL have two floors (the second one is in the making!), so I'll have plenty of room for all supplies. I also have to get some dishes that can hook to the side of the cage (spilled less easily) for them. Any more suggestions? I'm sure there's more but I just haven't thought of it.. OH! A "litterbox" so I can litter train them, to. (: I've written down many foods NOT TO feed rats, and many foods they can easily and/or love to eat. Plus, foods that are in the middle like Peanut butter (that has to be liquified if fed), etc. Many websites have different opinions on the foods, but if it's iffy, I just won't feed it to them. Any more suggestions/things I should know? I've read so many websites and asked a few questions that I didn't have answers to, so I'm very prepared, in my opinion. I talked to a petstore employee that had experience (owned three rats and seemed to know all the bad things/good things about them). She was confident I'd make a good rat owner and told me she'd call me when they came in. I wouldn't be buying from a petstore if there was a breeder around.. but I live in a small town and rats aren't too common when it comes to breeders! It's really unfortunate. Please give feedback! I will post pictures once I get them and they're feeling comfortable about the new home.

ShesTheManROX · January 2010

ive recently found my rats love those bal bal (no idea how to say it) christmas ball things... i think they like the shinyness... but it hasnt got the string or anything on it..weird i know but it makes them happy to be able to run around with it.. xD so thats a toy to add to your collection i guess haha

Kaley1 · January 2010

CONGRATS! I'm not in the reading mood considering it's only 8:40 am here, but I'll read it later. xD They're awesome, rightt?

DiamondPuppy0809 · January 2010

Eksi; Huh? Lol. Christmas balls? xD I know I want to get them a ball or two. I saw a ferret playing with one at the pet store and she seemed very happy! Rats and ferrets are different, yes, but they're both very smart and generally like the same toys. ;D Kaley; Rats are awesome! And so adorable. Baby dumbo rats are so adorable! xD

DiamondPuppy0809 · January 2010

:arrow: No advice?

ShesTheManROX · January 2010

i know but my rats have all sorts of balls to play with, like ones with bells in them etc, but for some reason the only ones they play with are the shiny chrismas tree ones...

Pepper97 · January 2010

Awwh! Its ok. xP I got two new rats within the past week too. I hope to upload pics of them on my old post. One's about 2-3 weeks old. a rescue. I have to feed him but still...

woodpecker · January 2010

*cough* Eski means baubles xD I dont dont anything about rats, but good luck =D

DiamondPuppy0809 · January 2010

Pepper97; I hope to get my ratties soon! I'm going to buy supplies today. ;D Woodpecker; I said Eksi, not Eski. xD Baubles?

Pepper97 · January 2010

Well, the advice totally depends on the age of the rats you're getting. I love the whole waking up every two hours to feed Tar. ;-; It's been a fun experience so far. xD I'd keep anything under 2 months old in an aquarium. Anything above 2 months NEEDS to be in a wire cage. Good luck.

ShesTheManROX · January 2010

Garfieldz Gal wrote:

Pepper97; I hope to get my ratties soon! I'm going to buy supplies today. ;D Woodpecker; I said Eksi, not Eski. xD Baubles?

Thanks Woody xD thats exactly what i meant, Its okay Garfieldz Alota people call me Eski cause it's easier to say in peoples heads

and Eksy is an aussie beer cooler and im an aussie so yar

thanks for the correction though you may call me Eski if you like hehe

DiamondPuppy0809 · January 2010

Pepper97 wrote:

Well, the advice totally depends on the age of the rats you're getting. I love the whole waking up every two hours to feed Tar. ;-; It's been a fun experience so far. xD I'd keep anything under 2 months old in an aquarium. Anything above 2 months NEEDS to be in a wire cage. Good luck.

I've read and learned never to keep them in an aquarium. o_O

ShesTheManROX · January 2010

mine has its house and drink bottle in an aquarium... bu i have the lid open 24/7 and they run over the book shelf and tv cabinet thats aligned with the tank..

Pepper97 · January 2010

Garfieldz Gal wrote:

Pepper97 wrote:

Well, the advice totally depends on the age of the rats you're getting. I love the whole waking up every two hours to feed Tar. ;-; It's been a fun experience so far. xD I'd keep anything under 2 months old in an aquarium. Anything above 2 months NEEDS to be in a wire cage. Good luck.

 I've read and learned never to keep them in an aquarium. o_O

You honestly shouldn't, but it's not as big a deal when they're gerbil sized. Less poop.

DiamondPuppy0809 · January 2010

eksimahd_01; Oh. I've always heard never to keep them in an aquarium/tank because it's not roomy enough and rats love to climb the bars of their cages. Plus, it can be very stuffy. Pepper97; that makes sense. I don't think I'm getting itty bitty babies anyways. But even if I do, they'll have to go in the cage as I do not own a tank for them and I've made the cage quite roomy. And they wouldn't be able to escape because the bar/wire space isn't big enough.

ShesTheManROX · January 2010

Garfieldz Gal wrote:

eksimahd_01; Oh. I've always heard never to keep them in an aquarium/tank because it's not roomy enough and rats love to climb the bars of their cages. Plus, it can be very stuffy. Yeah I would believe its stuffy and eveything in there, but like i said i have the lid thinger open 24/7 ill try take pictures to show you the set up haha, and when were over at my bfs theyre in a 3 teir wire cage.

DiamondPuppy0809 · January 2010

eskimahd_01; I'd love to see photos of their habitat.

Homemade, fleece hammock. Will they chew this quickly? Btw, there's going to be a second floor to the cage, so they WILL be able to reach the hammock once it's added. xD <img src="http://i49.tinypic.com/10ofrex.jpg"; alt="http://i49.tinypic.com/10ofrex.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> Climbing rope that I'll hang across the cage for play. (: Will thew chew this quickly too? <img src="http://i47.tinypic.com/14y7o9k.jpg"; alt="http://i47.tinypic.com/14y7o9k.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> Ladder I bought from the pet store. Will they be able to climb down it? I'm assuming YES. <img src="http://i50.tinypic.com/sqnio9.jpg"; alt="http://i50.tinypic.com/sqnio9.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> Food dish. I was told they could POSSIBLY chew it; but perhaps not too. <img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/2qnttgz.jpg"; alt="http://i45.tinypic.com/2qnttgz.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> :/ Forgot to turn the photo around, but this is a toy for them. You can unscrew the bell and add food on it like a "kabob" xD <img src="http://i45.tinypic.com/2ce40g4.jpg"; alt="http://i45.tinypic.com/2ce40g4.jpg"; class="bb-image" /> Well, those are some things I've gotten for my rats.

Please answer the questions above each. Btw, the reason I put my hand in some of the photos is so you can sorta tell the size. xD I have an average-sized girl hand if that helps at all. LMAO.

ShesTheManROX · January 2010

I've never really had problems with much chewing so im sure you shouldnt, and the hammock looks really good. just watch out for your metal treat holder make sure it doesn get ANY water on it... i spilt water on it once and it completely rusted up >.< i couldnt screw the bottom off =(

Pepper97 · January 2010

All of my habitat is made of fabric except the bars and floor. xP I have an additional two floors of fabric and several wood chews for them. They do chew the plastic food dish and litter box, but not so much as it would need to be replaced(ever). Papertowel and toilet paper rolls are awesome(only for little rats though.

)! It's fun to place dog treats inside them and watch the baby/babies go crazy! I'd strongly suggest going to petsmart and buying a bag of Blueberry, Chicken liver(small circular things), and those soft beef flavored stick dog treats. They LOVE all of those! They give the growing babies protein(and this cuts down the food intake if you give one per day, saving money), and it's a great socializing tactic if you have an ornery rat. Good luck and feel free to pm me any questions you may have.

DiamondPuppy0809 · January 2010

thanks for the tips! Pepper, we don't have a petsmart. xD Petland, yes, but that's it. :P Other than the animal sections of Wal-Mart, Wholesale club, Safeway, Save On Foods, etc, we don't have any other places to buy pet stuff. And most of those places only sell dog & cat supplies.

< But I'm sure I can find dog treats then.

But, anyway. I didn't think they'd chew much. My mother just worried me. xD Haha. I'll keep the toy away from water, thanks.

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