Well, I have two pet rats. The problem is they are babies (about a month or two old) and they are identical. When we take them out it is sort of hard to tell them apart. The only precise way is weighing them and we want an easier way. So does anyone have any ideas that will be safe for them (for instance they chew through it, or wash it out, or it be hazardous to them.
2006-12-05 13:10:07 · 20 answers · asked by Shnogenfogee 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Boy, can I relate to your situation. In the last 4 months I've had litters that include Siamese, Himalayans, and Pink-eyed Whites. Since I keep my rats for life I need a reliable way of telling them apart, for life.
I have many youngsters to identify so I choose to use non-toxic markers, drawing a line on their tails. If you have just 2 rats you can clip a small section of hair from the flank or shoulder of one of the rats, or you can use food coloring on the tail or coat.
Remember that rats shed their hair and they shed the scales on their tails. If you use markers or food color you need to repeat the process every few days.
Hint: If you choose to color the tail, bathe/clean the tail in warm water before you color it. The warm, damp, skin makes the color last longer.
And that reminds me....I have 5 Himi brothers to re-color tonight.
:) spazrats
http://spazrats.tripod.com
2006-12-05 16:53:04 · answer #1 · answered by spazrats 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
A long lasting one- Shave a bit of hair with an electric razor in a certain spot on each rat, it takes a while for the hair to grow back. Another one- Put a different color sharpie on each one near the base of their tail (the top). This is safe.
2016-03-13 03:50:49 · answer #2 · answered by Ellen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had like 20some gerbils once and could tell them apart. They all had different personalities. If your rats have the same personalities then you have some amazing rats. Only other thing i can think of without marking them physically is teach on rat a certain thing like motion or trick to a hand motion or sound.
2006-12-05 14:00:22 · answer #3 · answered by Cassandra H 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You could try dying a spot of fur on one of their heads with food colouring. Just dab a drop on with a Q-tip. Shouldn't harm them, isn't permanent, low cost and you can redo it as necessary.
The only problem being if they don't have a light coloured fur.
2006-12-05 13:12:48 · answer #4 · answered by mikah_smiles 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
something temporary is needed
they will have different size and personalities
shave a little hair spot off of one of the rats
2006-12-05 13:19:17 · answer #5 · answered by Wicked 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Cut off a tiny bit of fur on one of them and keep it trimmed until they show other signs of being different.
2006-12-05 13:13:44 · answer #6 · answered by marklemoore 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Why dont you get them some sort of tag for now and later find a collar for them. Just an idea.
2006-12-05 13:12:53 · answer #7 · answered by dotbrie 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'd put a bracelet or a colar around them. Or train them to look at you when you call thier names.
2006-12-05 13:13:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, could you tie some yarn around them, different colors, like red and blue?
2006-12-05 13:12:41 · answer #9 · answered by J 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
take a black magic marker and put a mark on one of their backs.
2006-12-05 13:17:57 · answer #10 · answered by Pete the koala 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋