The Rat Lovers Club! ~MODS PLEASE LOCK!

[No Going Back]

My step-dad's not the problem, XP. My mum is like....anti-rodent. It drives me mad, XP. We had a bad experience with guinea pigs, when I was 5.

I think I'd probably get males anyway. I've read that they're a little less likely to get tumours, and more acceptant of cuddles. Much as I love energetic pets, I really love just randomly sitting and stroking them as well.

[Sketchy]

I have always found my males were a lot stinkier than my females.
Three females in one cage = started to become noticable after a week.
Two males in one cage = started to become noticable after only 4 days.
Male's also have "Buck Grease" that smells if they don't clean themselves regularily.

However, I would say it all depends on the rat itself, and it's lineage.
Not all rats are going to smell the same.

[No Going Back]

Apparently you can eliminate the grease problem (I've read they get greasy backs, I'm assuming it's the same thing) by having them neutered. But, I know basically nothing about rats compared to half the people on here, so it's a good oppotunity for me to learn.

[rachaelandrats]

I personally wouldn't use that as it is designed for horses and horses are not the same as rats pluss its quiet expensive pluss if you accidentally give the wrong amount you could harm the rats.

You don't use Ivermectin that's made for horses. Pharma Q ivermectin made for small animals is what a vet would use or you can buy online;
http://www.ratwarehouse.com/shop_detail ... =637&cat=i
Bathing them will not get rid of their lice or mites.... please don't tell people not to treat mites/lice properly. It's important to treat them properly with spot on. You can't over dose them, it's just a couple of drops to the back of their neck. If they digest it, it won't do them any harm. Not if you use a proper spot on.

Also, baths are really stressful for rats, and can dry out their skin. You shouldn't bath your rats. The only time I bath mine is when they're poorly... for example I've had to bath them when they've had a brain tumour and can't clean themselve/have food all over themself. Aside from that you don't need to bath rats.

[rachaelandrats]

ohh.. and if she doesn't like the tails you can get rats without tails XD

Rats aren't supposed to be tailless, if they are it is sadly not a good thing... definitely shouldn't support any breeders who are apparently breeding them. They are either breeding unhealthy rats... and some breeders even dock their tails to sell them for more money...

[Sadies]

I personally wouldn't use that as it is designed for horses and horses are not the same as rats pluss its quiet expensive pluss if you accidentally give the wrong amount you could harm the rats.

You don't use Ivermectin that's made for horses. Pharma Q ivermectin made for small animals is what a vet would use or you can buy online;
http://www.ratwarehouse.com/shop_detail ... =637&cat=i
Bathing them will not get rid of their lice or mites.... please don't tell people not to treat mites/lice properly. It's important to treat them properly with spot on. You can't over dose them, it's just a couple of drops to the back of their neck. If they digest it, it won't do them any harm. Not if you use a proper spot on.

Also, baths are really stressful for rats, and can dry out their skin. You shouldn't bath your rats. The only time I bath mine is when they're poorly... for example I've had to bath them when they've had a brain tumour and can't clean themselve/have food all over themself. Aside from that you don't need to bath rats.

Ahh...sorry, i am not to sure about what a vet would use as I have never had that much of a problem with mites. I personally don't get any problems with bathing my rats. All my rats have had a regular bath and been compleatly fine also they would be swimming a lot if they were wild rats.

ohh.. and if she doesn't like the tails you can get rats without tails XD

Rats aren't supposed to be tailless, if they are it is sadly not a good thing... definitely shouldn't support any breeders who are apparently breeding them. They are either breeding unhealthy rats... and some breeders even dock their tails to sell them for more money...

ahh.... that horrible :( cruel people docking rats tails :( don't buy tailess rats then!

[No Going Back]

ohh.. and if she doesn't like the tails you can get rats without tails XD

Rats aren't supposed to be tailless, if they are it is sadly not a good thing... definitely shouldn't support any breeders who are apparently breeding them. They are either breeding unhealthy rats... and some breeders even dock their tails to sell them for more money...

In that case...that's just sad and wrong on all levels. I was under the impression than a tailless rat was like the manx cat, but obviously not. At least I know to avoid breeders to breed tailless if I'm ever fortunate enough to be allowed rats.

[Sketchy]

ohh.. and if she doesn't like the tails you can get rats without tails XD

Rats aren't supposed to be tailless, if they are it is sadly not a good thing... definitely shouldn't support any breeders who are apparently breeding them. They are either breeding unhealthy rats... and some breeders even dock their tails to sell them for more money...

In that case...that's just sad and wrong on all levels. I was under the impression than a tailless rat was like the manx cat, but obviously not. At least I know to avoid breeders to breed tailless if I'm ever fortunate enough to be allowed rats.

It has to do with how the pelvis is formed. Causes a lot of back and leg problems.

[No Going Back]

Meep. Shows how much I know.

So, on the subject of rats........

I'm pretty sure I'm not getting rats any time soon, but is obtaining them from a rescue center who knows nothing about them just as bad as getting them from a petshop? Our local rescue has two gorgeous boys in, but from the description knows nothing much about rats. Would it be okay to obtain them from there (though I don't think I'd be getting than particular pair) be okay?

[heartleafed]

I seem to be having more problems with Anna. Ever since she got lost shes become extremely nervous. She freaks out whenever shes out of the cage and barely lets you pick her up. She hasnt bitten anyone, she's just extremely frantic and it's upsetting any tips? Ok