Ok, I have two sweet little boy rats and they currently live in a 20 gal aquarium (bad I know, but I haven't found a cage I like yet!). Now I'm going away over Christmas to see my parents (who live about 13-14 hours away) and I'll be gone for about 4-6 days so I can't take them with me but I haven't got anyone who can come over and look after them either, so I guess my question is...What do I do with them?? Do I just leave a tonne of food in there,How long would be ok to leave them. Are there "Rat Boarders" kinda like dog/cat boarders lol.
p.s. please don't say just kill them or whatever, intelligent answers only please ta :)
2007-11-25 13:17:14 · 11 answers · asked by hotpinkrat 5 in Pets ➔ Rodents
It's not a cage, thats another reason I'm so worried. It's a tank and I know it will stink after a while...
2007-11-25 14:13:56 · update #1
Can't get Martins cage, am in Australia, postage is more than cage itself :(
2007-11-25 14:53:13 · update #2
Honestly no rat should be left for more than a day or two at a time no matter whether or not they have a cage mate. If you cannot find a sitter yourself, there are places that take in animals for you for a fee for a few days. Just look around and inquire. If you have a small animal breeder in the area, just give them a call and see if they can help you out after explaining the situation. Many rat breeders have started to add this to their services in the states and I'd imagine elsewhere as well.
Still can't find one? Don't just throw some food and water in and call it a day (or week as it were). They need stimulation. You have enough time to advertise in your local classifieds. Ask for an individual with rat care experience in your ad and make sure to check them out. If they allow free range time (goodness I'd hope so!) and they have their own rats, common sense should be with them not to place your boys in with their own if they have girls during this time. But as common sense tends to escape people, it would be good to bring this up to a potential care giver.
I would never say it is okay to leave your rats alone as long as you intend to. I am very happy you asked this question now rather than later as you have some time to figure out a solution and it sounds like you really want to!
Please, if you have any more questions feel free to email me!
Good luck!
=)
2007-11-25 16:23:09 · answer #1 · answered by Yelliez 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why can you not take them? You could buy a hamster cage to keep them in for the duration of the trip if you bring them along. It won't be cozy, but they'll be in good hands. Otherwise, ask a friend, a vet office, or even a neighbor. Depending on the food, it can go bad over the course of the week (even pellets and seeds are recommend to be changed daily).
If you 'have' to leave them alone...maybe put in an extra layer of bedding to help with the smell. A big water drop thing and ask a pet store what food would be best that doesn't require needing to be replaced so often so that you can leave out a large amount of food. To keep them from eating a lot of it quickly, you could get some treat dispensing toys to keep some of the food in.
2007-11-26 03:25:35 · answer #2 · answered by Billy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would recamend you taking them with you but if you cannot then if you fill up 2-3 full waterbottles and 2-3 small bowels with food then they should be fine, I do it with my 2 rats for our yearly 7 day vacation if theres no one thet will "rat sit" for me. And see if one of your friends will check on them every-other day for you. But when you get back you will need to play with them a lot because they will be lonely after 6 days.
That is fine with the tank, I am in the middle of making a 2 ft by 2 ft sq and 3 ft tall rat cage ( only 50 bucks ) and putting tile over the wood so urine does not make ti smelly. I currently have a 29 gallon high.
2007-11-25 22:43:05 · answer #3 · answered by Home Schooled Rat And Dog Freak 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You still have about a month to find somebody who will take care of them. Can you possibly take them with you? I would just leave them so much rat pellets that they couldn't possibly eat it all. Also, get them a cage before then. Go to Martin's cages.
http://www.martinscages.com/
This is where I got my rats cage. You leave two rats in an aquarium and they will die of ammonia poisoning.
Line the cage with about four water bottles.
Oh, sorry. Hold on.
Here, this is some psycho rat woman from Australia. I'm sure if you e-mail her she can tell you where in Australia where to go.
http://www.dapper.com.au/index.htm
2007-11-25 22:26:11 · answer #4 · answered by fifimsp3 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
food usually lasts 3 days or so and so does the water.
i think they will be fine.
just add a little extra
make sure the aquarium tank is secure!
just give them lots of love when you get back.
dont waste your money by getting them a boarder.
they should be fine.
GET A METAL BAR CAGE!
try to get the metal to be powder-coated. petco carries those.
glass tanks are bad for them!
there is no ventilation and the amonia builds up
it is VERY unhealthy for the rat and can later cause respiritory problems.
hope this helps
=D
p.s. is there a trustworthy neighbor around? they may be some help.
p.s.s.rats can occupy themselves while you are gone. they love to playfight. do you have a wheel? that is a must to keep them physically fit and active.
2007-11-25 22:23:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have left rats for a week at a time. Here are things you have to consider:
Plenty of food of course. That's easy.
They might drain the water bottle and die of thirst. Or if you use a dish, they might fill it with bedding or tip it over and die of thirst. You have to get a big enough bowl, and one they can't tip or fill with rubbish, to last this length of time.
If you can them a larger container that is still secure, it might be easier to arrange enough bedding and a big secure bowl.
If you use a good anti-odor litter, the stink shouldn't be bad after 4-6 days.
The 2 most important things are: a secure and safe enclosure, and a secure source of water. Food and bedding are less crucial, though important.
I'm sure you can figure something out.
2007-11-26 00:37:28 · answer #6 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Call your local Boarders. Maybe they will take your rats for you. Also if their is a rat boarder in your area ask them questions and if they let you tour their area to see how clean it is. If you find one you like make sure when your rats get home that you check them all over for cuts, bites, mites, and all of that type of stuff. you don't want a sick rat!!!! I hope everything goes well for you!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
2007-11-26 14:19:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alot of small pet shops (not like petco or petsmart), will pet sit for a small fee. I know my local pet store charges $2 a day per cage.
2007-11-26 10:43:51 · answer #8 · answered by Hannah L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure the cage is secure. Add extra water bottles. Find an automatic feeder that will work in their cage. Hope for the best.
2007-11-25 21:47:38 · answer #9 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Call your local vets or boarding kennels. Many take in small animals as well for a small fee each day. It would be better than leaving them alone.
2007-11-25 21:21:00 · answer #10 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋