Got A Rat For A Christmas Present

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hi there, well, long story short i received a rat yesterday for a christmas present (quite unexpected). But its not a problem, i really like rats and i already have a large hamster cage and all the gear with it from my old hamster who passed away a couple of months ago.

So far the cage has lots of shredded newspaper and tissue paper, some wood, hamsters toys (tubes, hanging feeder thing etc), a water bottle and a bowl full of hamster food. My friends who gave me the rat (which is a black and white female) have told me some info already on looking after rats (handle it everyday and keep an eye on its health, like look out for breathing problems etc) but i was wondering if there's anything else i need to know about rats.

I'm going to get it a larger proper rat cage in january (the current cage is about 2ft wide and long and about 2 and a half foot high) as my friends said they had the same type of cage with one of their old rats and it eventually figured how to break out of it (by chewing the plastic hinges on the cage doors) and a large rat sized exercise ball and some proper rat food. Is there anything else i need or need to know about keeping rats?
Thanks for your time !

Edit: oh, just one other thing- how young do rats sold at petshops tend to be? I think its quite a young rat, but i curious about how old it is roughly.

 

[KathyM]

CongRATulations (sorry, couldnt resist). Rats need company of their own gender, so I would pick him/her a friend up ASAP. Some good info on diet on this site:

http/www.shunamiterats.co.uk/

I can recommend cages if you know what your budget is? A couple of babies will be okay in the cage you have very temporarily (as you already know), but I've tested many cages here (I had 32 rats at one point!).

One thing you might not know is that wood shavings/sawdust is incredibly dangerous for rodents, especially rats (you didn't say you were using it, but just in case). I would recommend EcoPetbed (or similar shredded cardboard bedding), Aubiose (hemp bedding) or 100% paper cat litter as cage flooring material.

Baby rats do really well with a little bit of EMP/Cede baby bird food mixed with water (the egg based food that's sold dry in a bag - not the stuff with larvae/grubs in) as a regular treat, and the Shunamite diet is in my experience the best rat diet ever.

Most commercial rat foods are cack, Burgess Suparat is doable though. Still think Shunamite diet's better. Obviously, they can't have hamster food, or other small animal food.

God I'm trying to keep this short and to the point for you but I could go on for ages. If you fancy a natter about it in more detail, let me know.

Edited to add: Rats sold in petshops legally shouldn't be younger than 6 weeks, but often are sold much younger. If you have a pic, I might be able to stab a guess for you?

 

[fenwoman]

Hi there, well, long story short i received a rat yesterday for a christmas present (quite unexpected). But its not a problem, i really like rats and i already have a large hamster cage and all the gear with it from my old hamster who passed away a couple of months ago.

So far the cage has lots of shredded newspaper and tissue paper, some wood, hamsters toys (tubes, hanging feeder thing etc), a water bottle and a bowl full of hamster food. My friends who gave me the rat (which is a black and white female) have told me some info already on looking after rats (handle it everyday and keep an eye on its health, like look out for breathing problems etc) but i was wondering if there's anything else i need to know about rats.

I'm going to get it a larger proper rat cage in january (the current cage is about 2ft wide and long and about 2 and a half foot high) as my friends said they had the same type of cage with one of their old rats and it eventually figured how to break out of it (by chewing the plastic hinges on the cage doors) and a large rat sized exercise ball and some proper rat food. Is there anything else i need or need to know about keeping rats?
Thanks for your time !

Edit: oh, just one other thing- how young do rats sold at petshops tend to be? I think its quite a young rat, but i curious about how old it is roughly.

Oh dear. This isn't how any animal should find a home. Rats should not be kept singly and a hamster cages is totally unsuitable. When you do buy your new rat cage make sure it is as large as possible and avoid platforms which stop halfway across the cage as rats tend to fall and injure themselves. Personally, had you been my friend, you would have got a rat cage, all the equipment and a book on rats for a pressie. You could then have gone out and got 2 rats after Xmas.
I have kept rats for many years now and love them. When one lot dies, I look in the papers for another lot of unwanted ones to adopt.
Rats can be around 8 weeks old from pet shops but how old they are when they are sold would depend on how old the shop has had them .
It does make me very very cross when people get bought animals by people on a whim without the reciever being prepared for the pet and having done no research.
Pets should never be given as surprise gifts at any time of the year

 

[KathyM]

When you do buy your new rat cage make sure it is as large as possible and avoid platforms which stop halfway across the cage as rats tend to fall and injure themselves.

Rats can live in tall cages with no problems if set up correctly - they're expert climbers unless elderly or infirm. In fact, when I had larger groups, I kept mine in adapted aviaries with Ferplast corner shelving, tubes, ropes and hammocks to climb.

One thing you will need to make sure is that the bar spacing isn't wide enough for them to get out - some cages that are fab for male rats (Superpet ones for example, see below) have 1" bar spacing, which smaller does can easily escape from. Aviaries and the Terenziani/Critter cages are good for does.

My Superpet Multi Storey (now gone)

Tinkerbelle (RIP) modelling the Critter 3/Terenziani Moore cage to show you the bar spacing.

My old medium Ferplast Brio aviary, which housed our girlies (picture was taken when I dismantled it to get rid).

A medium Brio will fit about 5-6 boys in so would prolly be too big to justify for a pair, unless you wanted something palacial for them. They seem to crop up quite a lot for about £50 second hand and with Ferplast corner shelves and other bits added, they make fab cages. We had an even bigger, double version for the lads.

Here's a good link for working out the best cage:

http/www.fancy-rats.co.uk/resources/prod...ategory.php?c=4

Another note I forgot to add in my last post was about socialisation - pet shop rats are often bred in "farms" and not handled from birth as they should be. Your little fella/girl will need lots and lots of handling to get over this, and even if she had been handled a lot, its something that has to be kept up. I used a little rat pouch/carry bag to carry rat kittens around in to get them used to me.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

KathyM, after reading your link (very helpful) and some others, these are my main concerns;
a. How important is it for rats to have their own kind around? Is it actually more benneficial for them to be in groups than to be alone?
b. I'm worried about introducing a new rat to my current one- a lot of the articles i have read so far talk a lot about agression and fighting and stuff. My friends who gave me the rat said they had two females once together which attacked each other all the time to the point where one was also injured so they had to separate them. So naturally i'm very concerned and quite wary about rat introductions and what to do in certain situations (like where things go really bad).
c. Should get more females? I'm not overly interested in getting a male as all the local petshops in my area sell intact male rats, so if i got one it would need to be castrated. But ideally, what is the best number of rats to have together including gender ratio wise?
d. What is a really good size cage for a rat? I've seen some really huge rats in the past...I don't want to opt for anything bigger than 3-4ft wide, but as far as height is concerned thats not a problem at all.


fenwoman, i understand where you are coming from on with rats/pets for presents, however you don't need to worry as i will do everything i can to give this rat the best home i can- my friends also know this, and even though they didn't speak to me beforehand about getting me a rat for a christmas present, they know i am capable of looking after small, furry animals and that i was looking for a new furry pet already (i was looking at either a rat or a rabbit).
For the last 3 or so years, i always had hamsters, but a couple of months ago my last one passed away from old age and cancer of the liver, so after a while i started to look for a new pet as i love rodents in general. I wasn't planning on getting animals until at least january, but i am very happy with the arival of this rat none the less. I know that hamsters are very different to rats and have different needs to be met, but as i said i will do everything i can to give this rat a good home and a good life .

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Another note I forgot to add in my last post was about socialisation - pet shop rats are often bred in "farms" and not handled from birth as they should be. Your little fella/girl will need lots and lots of handling to get over this, and even if she had been handled a lot, its something that has to be kept up. I used a little rat pouch/carry bag to carry rat kittens around in to get them used to me.

It is going to take some getting used to handling rats for me- they are very different from hamsters, which are what i have usually been used to, this is the first time i have ever handled a rat properly before, i am trying not to be nervous (i almost jumped when she squeaked). She is quite shy, but she has been quite well behaved so far- she's not too hyper-active, and she sat on my lap for around 10minutes earlier while i stroked her. I don't think she's been handled much or at all though while she was in the petshop though, i had to get my friend to take her out of the cage earlier as she was too skittish for me to pick up. But once she was out she was very good and inquisitive .
What is a good time to handle the rat for a day? Can you take them out for too much?

edit: i gtg now, but i will be back later hopefully, any info you can give me is much appreciated though !

 

[KathyM]

KathyM, after reading your link (very helpful) and some others, these are my main concerns;
a. How important is it for rats to have their own kind around? Is it actually more benneficial for them to be in groups than to be alone?
b. I'm worried about introducing a new rat to my current one- a lot of the articles i have read so far talk a lot about agression and fighting and stuff. My friends who gave me the rat said they had two females once together which attacked each other all the time to the point where one was also injured so they had to separate them. So naturally i'm very concerned and quite wary about rat introductions and what to do in certain situations (like where things go really bad).
c. Should get more females? I'm not overly interested in getting a male as all the local petshops in my area sell intact male rats, so if i got one it would need to be castrated. But ideally, what is the best number of rats to have together including gender ratio wise?
d. What is a really good size cage for a rat? I've seen some really huge rats in the past...I don't want to opt for anything bigger than 3-4ft wide, but as far as height is concerned thats not a problem at all.

Hiya - no probs - here goes!

It is absolutely imperative that she has at least one friend, two is even better as then if one pops their clogs when they're getting on (or from other illness), the other isn't left alone. Rats are incredibly intelligent and social creatures and will not thrive without company of their own kind (intelligene wise they're like little dogs - can be litter and clicker trained, etc). I would definitely go with another female or two - neutering males is all well and good but it takes at least 5 weeks after neutering for a male to be safely introduced to girlies (they store sperm). If she's a baby, there should be absolutely no problem introducing more to her of around her age. I have never had problems introducing girls, even as adults, and we've done it a lot here *lol*. A good idea for introducing is to get the new age ready and set up, so no rats have been in it yet. Put all the rats together in the bath (dry/empty obviously *pmsl) so they can get to know each other in neutral surroundings. Then when things are going well, sling them in the new cage which is also new territory. I say all this, but with the girls, all we've had to do is have them out for a cuddle together then sling them in the cage together. It's been the boys that have been harder in my experience (and even then only recently as they've got older and groups have dwindled - baby intros have never been problematic in any way).

A good cage for a trio would be the Terenziani Moore/Critter 3 (will cost you about £40 new online, much more in a petshop prolly), or a Savic Freddy (about £65). Girls are smaller than boys, so some might think they need a smaller cage. However, females are far more active than bucks, and appreciate more space. Does are smaller than bucks, and petshop rats as a whole are smaller than well bred ratties, so they won't grow huge.

I'm very envious to be honest - I'd love another girly or two here to go in with my lot, but I've told myself no more. Their life expectancy's are too short and it's broken my heart over the last 12 months or so. Post her to me will you?

 

[KathyM]

Another note I forgot to add in my last post was about socialisation - pet shop rats are often bred in "farms" and not handled from birth as they should be. Your little fella/girl will need lots and lots of handling to get over this, and even if she had been handled a lot, its something that has to be kept up. I used a little rat pouch/carry bag to carry rat kittens around in to get them used to me.

It is going to take some getting used to handling rats for me- they are very different from hamsters, which are what i have usually been used to, this is the first time i have ever handled a rat properly before, i am trying not to be nervous (i almost jumped when she squeaked). She is quite shy, but she has been quite well behaved so far- she's not too hyper-active, and she sat on my lap for around 10minutes earlier while i stroked her. I don't think she's been handled much or at all though while she was in the petshop though, i had to get my friend to take her out of the cage earlier as she was too skittish for me to pick up. But once she was out she was very good and inquisitive .
What is a good time to handle the rat for a day? Can you take them out for too much?

edit: i gtg now, but i will be back later hopefully, any info you can give me is much appreciated though !

No such thing as too much handling - at the beginning at least she'll need to be out of the cage at least 5 times a day, preferably more, and substantially so - even better if you can carry her around with you safely. Sounds like she's quite shy if she's squeaking a bit (some of my rescues were like that to begin with). I'd really recommend the pouch idea - you might feel a pillock but it really does work. As for picking her up, firm but not squishing her is the way to go (edited to add: not by the tail). Best to get in quickly and confidently or she'll get more scared when you're chasing her round (believe me I sympathise with how hard it is). If it makes any difference, I'm a complete wuss and at first felt exactly the same as you, worried about getting bit, etc. I've been bitten in the past and that got me over my fear, strangely enough (it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be). Rats aren't really as bitey as they're made out to be, I've had 32 here at one point, and only two of them have ever bitten me - both were very poorly bred and badly socialised, and both were very arsey bucks (one had a medical problem from being inbred that caused his aggression). A little baby girl like yours won't do much damage even if she does nip you, so keep confident, we know you can do it!

 

[KathyM]

Forgot to say - get the bloody camera out and show me her pictures, I'm dying to see her

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Thanks for all the info Kathy, you've really helped me out a lot ! I've been handling the rat a lot today, she's been sitting on my lap for hours (i really am amazed, you'd never be able to do this with a syrian hamster) i took some pics too;

On my fiance;

Cleaning;

Exploring the sofa;

She's a lovely rat, although she is very shy. I've named her Maya .

 

[demonmagus]

just wondering does she pee everywhere?

 

[PlecMama]

Ours randomly pee'd when they were out but it's not like having the dog pee somewhere, it's just a baby-wipe sized bit of pee.

Watch out for the escapology though - ours were always out and about, you think you've got them but then one day you find them somewhere else. Sweetie's most daring adventure almost ended in disaster when Dan opened the kitchen draw and she popped up and he almost smacked her with a rolling pin thinking she was a wild rat that had got in! Little git broke out of the cage, down two flights of stairs, in to the kitchen, round the back of the cupboard and up through the back of the draw. while she was in there, she ate everything in the draw, chewed it all to little pieces, and left a bunch of droppings. Thanks.

Also, and I didn't see anyone say it thought I may have missed it, do NOT feed her through the bars - they get bitey when you do this and the first person to put up a finger to stroke a whiskery little nose poking through is going to get a hurt finger, they don't usually draw blood, they are not "biting", they are grabbing with their teeth to pull food in, but all the same, it hurts and it's a shock. Ask Dylan

Shame I turned out to be allergic to them they mangle my asthma, I'd have loved to have some more. Your's is really pretty

 

[halfbloodprincess]

Awww she's so cute!!!! I would love a rat but... I already have tons of animals lol.

 

[black angel]

Rats and mice pee where they walk so they have a scent trail, so if you let them run round on your sofa then your sofa will have pee on it.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Rats and mice pee where they walk so they have a scent trail, so if you let them run round on your sofa then your sofa will have pee on it.

Ah. Better wash my hair brush then. But apparently females don't do it half as much as the males, apparently urine marking things has many meanings in rat society;

http/www.ratbehavior.org/WhyDoRatsPee.htm

If she does do it, i definately havn't noticed or smelt anything odd.

Ours randomly pee'd when they were out but it's not like having the dog pee somewhere, it's just a baby-wipe sized bit of pee.

Watch out for the escapology though - ours were always out and about, you think you've got them but then one day you find them somewhere else. Sweetie's most daring adventure almost ended in disaster when Dan opened the kitchen draw and she popped up and he almost smacked her with a rolling pin thinking she was a wild rat that had got in! Little git broke out of the cage, down two flights of stairs, in to the kitchen, round the back of the cupboard and up through the back of the draw. while she was in there, she ate everything in the draw, chewed it all to little pieces, and left a bunch of droppings. Thanks.

Also, and I didn't see anyone say it thought I may have missed it, do NOT feed her through the bars - they get bitey when you do this and the first person to put up a finger to stroke a whiskery little nose poking through is going to get a hurt finger, they don't usually draw blood, they are not "biting", they are grabbing with their teeth to pull food in, but all the same, it hurts and it's a shock. Ask Dylan

Shame I turned out to be allergic to them they mangle my asthma, I'd have loved to have some more. Your's is really pretty

Yeah i definately won't feed her through the bars, its the same with hamsters. I'll keep an eye on her, but so far she just seems to like curling up on my lap a lot.
She grooms herself very regularly, is this anything to worry about?