like food, cage, care, etc.
Have any one of you ever had a rat before?
2007-01-26 03:08:00 · 8 answers · asked by sm177y 5 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Bedding:
1. NEVER use pine or ceder shavings. Rats have very sensitive respitory systems and it will make them sick.
2. The best products to use are Carefresh Ultra or Aspen wood shavings.
Cages:
You should not go out and just buy some cage that looks nice, there is some important things to think about. I've included some links at the bottom.
1. with a wire cage the max that the bars should be around the cage (the walls of the cage) should be no more then 1" X 1".
2 The floors should be no more then 1/2" X 1/2", and bigger you run the risk that they could get hurt.
3. Cages should be at MINIMUM 2 cubic feet PER RAT. These animals need lots of space.
Food:
1 Don't just use the seed mixes that are out there, it's mostly junk.
2. You should look into Harlan Teklad rat lab blocks product #8604 it's the most popular amongst long time rat owners. And the most nutritious I've ever found.
3. Also look into Suebee's Diet. the last link I've added has a link to it.
Note:
You should NEVER get less then a pair of rats, they are incredibly social animals and need constant company. Also I'd recomend waiting untill you have at least $300 saved up in the bank for emergency vet visits, it's always good as a precaution. My 4 girls cost 225 + tax at their recent appointment and I got a discount and that is with nothing wrong just a check-up. And try to vind a vet in yout area that has experiance with rats as pets.
2007-01-26 03:32:27 · answer #1 · answered by gitana_diosa 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
They need a large cage, and they prefer some company, at least two of same sex. They need to be held and played with every day, you can't just let them sit in the cage for their whole lives. For food i would recommend lab block made specifically for rats and supplement treats, like fresh veggies and lean meat occasionally. Do not use pine or cedar bedding, these will cause respiratory problems for you rats. I use aspen bedding.
2007-01-26 03:23:33 · answer #2 · answered by moddedmama 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OMG, you are smart... Rats ROCK!!! I have 2 and they are great. You might wanna get a big cage: 2-4 stories high. DO NOT use pine shavings: we got a rat from a pet store that used them and she sneezed constantly for about 3 months. They like hammocks: hang one in their cage. I would recomend getting 2 of the same sex, they are happier with a buddy.They also like little huts, and they have 2 be busy: lots of toys, and chew things. Good luck!
2007-01-26 07:46:00 · answer #3 · answered by I ♥ SCHOOL! 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you must get a rat then use a recycled form of bedding, not wood shavings of any type. get a screen topped locking cage. Get an exercise wheel to keep it active and in shape. Rats become overweight too. The same type of obesity problems in rats as in humans. Finally you can buy packages of pre-mixed rat or rodent food. I would suggest a Ferret though. They are bad ***!(no they don't stink if you keep the cage clean)
2007-01-26 03:22:02 · answer #4 · answered by major b 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
1. Never use cedar shavings - it's poison to them
2. Handle often and you will have a loyal friend
3. Buy a book or look online for a care sheet
2007-01-26 03:12:35 · answer #5 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
plan to get pissed on.
MY story short:i got talked into buying a rat instead of a guinnie pig, beihg the animal lover that i am while always trying to keep an open mind. I TRIED!!!!it peed on me when i picked it up and wraped its tail around my wrist like a snake. i guess im just a girl. it was aweful. but I DID TRY! 3 days later i got the guinnie and returned the rat.they are very inteligent and personable. much more than aguinnie pig would be. it was just the whole "rat" in generalthat was to icky for me.you may love it. i have a friend who loves hers. she says they pee on you for show of effection????
2007-01-26 06:08:40 · answer #6 · answered by calibren25 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Dude, why a rat?? Get a fuzzy kitten or a puppy.
2007-01-26 03:16:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
A tetanus shot--rats are very dirty and most are disease-ridden.
2007-01-26 03:16:05 · answer #8 · answered by Amy B 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋