There is a huge litter of white rats at my local animal shelter and I really want to adopt one. I've been researching about pet rats for about 8 years and I've finally convinced my parents that I can take care of one. Is there any specific cage that is good for rats? What kind of toys do they like (I know toys they can chew on, but any more specific suggestions)? Does anyone have any helpful hints about caring for ratties (I'm going to buy one of those pet rat care books, but still)? Thank you!
2007-08-14 16:49:21 · 6 answers · asked by drakkor16 3 in Pets ➔ Rodents
thanks for adopting!!!!!!! they need a cage that doesn't have wire or metal flooring. there feet can get stuck. so look for one that is long, but has a tray like thing under it, kind of like a rabbit one.
http://www.petco.com/product/10638/Super-Pet-Extra-Large-My-First-Home.aspx
it just depends on how much you want to spend. also rats need newspaper like bedding, not wood shavings
http://www.petco.com/product/10791/Carefresh-Ultra-Pet-Bedding.aspx
they dont enjoy wheels, so dont spend your money on one. but they do enjoy the balls that they can run around in, just make sure there are no stairs.
http://www.petco.com/product/100433/Super-Pet-Mini-Run-about-Ball.aspx
they like to sleep in nest type objects, so a cozy bed like this
http://www.petco.com/product/9591/Super-Pet-Critter-Cuddle-Cup.aspx
they love to chew, so make sure you have wood sticks in there for them, and they also like toilet paper rolls. those are cheep..lol. best of luck!!
2007-08-14 16:58:46 · answer #1 · answered by animluv 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First thing........rats prefer to live in pairs. If you adopt, then adopt 2 of them.
My rats love bird toys (made out of rawhide), and dog bones. They won't touch wooden chew toys.
A leveled cage is the best, because rats LOVE to climb. Get a nice big cage with multiple levels, and a wide floor. If you go to your local pet shop, they should be able to show you proper cages for rats. Do not get a small cage, the bigger the better.
2007-08-15 01:57:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rats are wonderful companions & you'll have lots of fun when you adopt yours. It's best to get 2 or 3 of the same sex b/c they're very social & are much happier if they have other rats to hang out with. They'll love you just as much & you'll have fun watching them play together.
There are lots of cages available, but I've never seen one marketed *for* rats that is nearly large enough. We usually get the big Superpet home for "critters" & take the wheel out. Our hairless girl is our only rat who uses a wheel & we gave her a Silent Spinner, which seems more comfortable than the wheels that come with the cages. You can use aspen shavings for bedding, but both pine & cedar can be dangerous for small animals. We use Total Comfort or Carefresh for all our little guys.
Beside a variety of toys they can chew on, rats appreciate hammocks, boxes, cat, ferret or bird toys & just about anything non-toxic that they can climb on, climb into, push around or carry in their mouths. Our little hooded girl loves the plastic cap from a can of cooking spray-- I used this as her food dish while she was in quarantine (before I intro'd her to the other girls) & she kept spilling the food out to play with the cap. She still has the cap & has taught the hairless to play with it also.
When you go to adopt your rat/s, ask if you can hold them so you can see how social they are & which ones seem to 'sing' to you the most. In general, girls are more active & nosy while boys tend to be more cuddly but everyone is an individual. Our hooded girl is as cuddly as our boys are.
Good luck with your little one/s!
2007-08-15 01:54:39 · answer #3 · answered by Catkin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have a rat i just got it there adorable creatures...but make sure u pick the really tame one and tame it even more.. so u can play with it and carry it...they should eat about a quarter of rodent mix in a little bowl a day well just fill up the bowl half way..i put cat toys with little holes so my rat can role it around.. wooden natural chips are better for them then carefresh bedding..they like celery and bell peppers strawberries and nectarines and a little lettuce make sure u change the water one every two to three days make sure its not to hot and not freezing! my rat loves being held and doent really love being in tiny areas there are pretty fast so i wouldnt put it on the floor BEWARE THE POOP ALOT! i change the bedding evry once or twice or three times a week people may think thats bad but they poop alot... they like laying in small palce when there sleeping and they like gong under the bedding and coming back up!
ENJOY YOUR RATTY! they can not use a rabbit cage i have owned rats and they cant have the fluffy beds they will chew the bed up and the wire cage they will clime all over it rabbit cages are a HORRIB LE IDEA!
2007-08-15 00:13:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
you should get a pair of females.
Rats are very social animals and the females love to play more!!! males are lazy!!!
i think what they say above is good!!!
pet stores have lots of toys and such for rats!!
2007-08-15 00:53:11 · answer #5 · answered by mezich 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have 2 rats. and they are not albino. personally i hate any albino rodents, they are way to hyper. anyways just dont adopt an adult rat. i got one in april and i guess it was abused before. she bit me twice and i have scars from her. (she was albino) the people at petco told me after i brought her back that she had been brought back like 4 times. so dont get an adult!
2007-08-15 03:44:30 · answer #6 · answered by *emily 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋