Im getting a rat from my brother this weekend all the way in Battle Creek. The only rodent ive had is the teddy bear hamster i currently am taking care of. I was wondering if anyone out there could give me some advice in care, feeding, and treats and just overrall informationa about rats like whether or not they will have to run the house in a ball or not or how big of a cage they will need or if they will break out like hamters do. And i need to know like handling tips. If someone could answer my questions and more i would greatly appreciate it. thanks. (and i dont want any rude comments please. thanks.)
2007-02-26 09:07:37 · 5 answers · asked by ladiesman053190 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Thanks "Ready" :)
I would suggest first that you do not keep your hamster and rat in the same room. Rats are predators and should the rat come in contact with your hamster, the hamster would die.
Predatory instincts of rats:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=predatory+instincts+of+rats&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAqFmYLsucJ9Ju1A_wytuo5cazKIX%2FSIG%3D111gjvvgj%2F*-http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAjrR1DDgyctRMOV346dKZz4azKIX%2FSIG%3D11ia1qo58%2F**http%253a%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=predatory+instincts+of+rats
Rat care books have never been dependable in my opinion. My first rat died young with the "help" of one of those books. The best way to learn how to care for rats is to talk to other people who have kept rats for awhile. Yahoo has many excellent rat-only groups for this purpose. May I suggest The Ratlist and Holistarat to start with.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ratlist/
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/holistarat/
Rats are pretty easy to care for and you can spoil them as rotten as your money will allow.
Caring for your rats:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=caring+for+your+rats&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAqFmYLsucJ9Ju1A_wytuo5cazKIX%2FSIG%3D111gjvvgj%2F*-http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAjrR1DDgyctRMOV346dKZz4azKIX%2FSIG%3D11ia1qo58%2F**http%253a%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=caring+for+your+rats
The majority of rat keepers enjoy the Martin's cages R-670 or R-680 made with the specs of a solid floor.
http://www.martinscages.com/products/cages/rat/
How about a chinchilla cage?
http://www.qualitycage.com/chinchilla.html
Next best is a guinea pig cage accessorized with some extra shelves for more floor space.
http://www.mgpr.org/MGPR/PigCages.htm
http://hometown.aol.com/bunsnpigs/myhomepage/business.html
More rat cages including homemade cages:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=rat+cages&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAqFmYLsucJ9Ju1A_wytuo5cazKIX%2FSIG%3D111gjvvgj%2F*-http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAjrR1DDgyctRMOV346dKZz4azKIX%2FSIG%3D11ia1qo58%2F**http%253a%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=rat+cages
Remember that adult female rats can squeeze through the bars of a cage if the bar spacing is 3/4 of an inch or wider.
Rats are rather content to be in cages. Unlike hamsters and gerbils they do not chew the bars as much. Females are more likely to escape their cage if they find a nitch somewhere.
Safe bedding for rats:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=safe+bedding+for+rats&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAqFmYLsucJ9Ju1A_wytuo5cazKIX%2FSIG%3D111gjvvgj%2F*-http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAjrR1DDgyctRMOV346dKZz4azKIX%2FSIG%3D11ia1qo58%2F**http%253a%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=safe+bedding+for+rats
Housing and toys for rats:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=housing+and+toys+for+rats&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAqFmYLsucJ9Ju1A_wytuo5cazKIX%2FSIG%3D111gjvvgj%2F*-http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAjrR1DDgyctRMOV346dKZz4azKIX%2FSIG%3D11ia1qo58%2F**http%253a%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=housing+and+toys+for+rats
There are many commercial rat diets that are available. My suggestion would be to buy any of the brands that specifically say that they are formulated for rats and mice. If you were to join rat-only Yahoo forums you will find that there are many home-made diets that have been put together by many members and rat-care professionals. The following are particularly enjoyed by rat-keepers and their rats.
Spazrats diet:
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/petrats/81615
Debbie Ducommun Diet:
http://www.ratfanclub.org/diet.html
Suebee diet:
http://www.ratsrule.com/diet.html
None of us follow these diets exactly. You can play around with them and they'd still be good.
Rats are omnivores and eat anything. If you would eat any healthy food then it's ok for your rats.
More on feeding your rats:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=feeding+your+rats&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAqFmYLsucJ9Ju1A_wytuo5cazKIX%2FSIG%3D111gjvvgj%2F*-http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAjrR1DDgyctRMOV346dKZz4azKIX%2FSIG%3D11ia1qo58%2F**http%253a%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=feeding+your+rats
Forbidden foods:
http://www.petratscanada.com/forbidden_foods.htm
More:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=forbidden+foods+for+rats&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAqFmYLsucJ9Ju1A_wytuo5cazKIX%2FSIG%3D111gjvvgj%2F*-http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAjrR1DDgyctRMOV346dKZz4azKIX%2FSIG%3D11ia1qo58%2F**http%253a%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=forbidden+foods+for+rats
Yes, rats can eat chocolate in moderation
http://spazrats.tripod.com/chocolate.html
Having had many rats over the years, I have discovered that individual rats have their own personal appetites. Some rats eat more then others. I would start with 1/4 cup of rat mix along with fruit and vegetables per day and adjust it accordingly.
Rats can eat any of the commercial treats that are made for other rodents, but there are many human foods that can also be favorite treats....peas for one.
No, do not let your rat have the run of the house, very dangerous for the rat, destructive to your house. Rats don't seem to be appreciative of those exercize balls. It is thought that this is because rats are too intelligent to use them, or they are scared stiff of them. My rats have a room of their own. Next best is the largest cage possible so they don't require time out, or give your a supervised outing on a bed or couch.
Bonding with your rats and handling tips:
http://www.rattyrat.com/guidebook/bonding.html
http://members.aol.com/juliesrats/behavior.html
http://www.petinfopackets.com/rats/ratinfopacket.html
More reading:
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=Bonding+with+your+rat&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAqFmYLsucJ9Ju1A_wytuo5cazKIX%2FSIG%3D111gjvvgj%2F*-http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAjrR1DDgyctRMOV346dKZz4azKIX%2FSIG%3D11ia1qo58%2F**http%253a%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%253aSearch&p=Bonding+with+your+rat
I don't know how old your new rat is but rats like the company of their own kind:
http://www.rmca.org/Resources/apair.txt
Sandra Beasley and the Spaz Rats
(Rattery, Rescue, and Rat-care Expert)
http://spazrats.tripod.com
"my life has gone to the rats"
2007-02-28 20:34:08 · answer #1 · answered by spazrats 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Rats are really loving pets. If you are getting a baby He/She will love to ride around on your shoulder, also they love to run around your room but make sure that they are back in their house before you leave your room. They can get lost,hurt etc. without supervision.. An older Rat you'll have to watch to see if He/She is secure enough with their new home to not run away before you attempt to let them have freedom. There are some excellent Rat foods out there BUT fresh veggies and fruit are very necessary to your pets health. A nother necessary item they need is a piece of wood to gnaw on because their teeth are always growing and when they gnaw it wears the teeth down. The one draw back to being a Rat owner is that you SHOULD clean out their litter at least 3 times a week. Their urine can really smell up a room if you don't.
2007-02-26 09:25:10 · answer #2 · answered by faethdragon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be sure you have a good latch/cover on whatever you're planning to keep it in. Rats are so intelligent that if they can, they'll get out. Personally, I keep my two in a 25 gallon aquarium with a lid that locks on. They like to have something to live/hide in, like a rat house. For bedding I use wood shavings. Some people have said that can cause resperitory diseases, but my vet has disputed that. Also, mine don't like balls or wheels. I believe the brand of food I feed is Kaycee brand, but I could be mistaken. Whatever the name, it's a mix especially for mice and rats. Mine like apples, grapes, tomatoes, peanuts, and lettuce for treats. Hope this was helpful!
2007-02-26 15:03:19 · answer #3 · answered by hockey_gal9 *Biggest Stars fan!* 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Congratulations! Rats make wonderful pets and are much more loving to their humans than hamsters.
Check out this link. http://ratguide.com/
2007-02-26 09:22:40 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'd reccomend looking at my questions, because i've asked quite a few about rats. i've also had good help from a few people, particularly "SpazRats"
join this forum -
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/holistarat/
they've got answers to tons of questions, and everyone is polite, and there are no rat haters.
2007-02-26 09:20:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋