The Rat Lovers Club! ~MODS PLEASE LOCK!

[Brandylovesyoux]

Yay, thanks!

[ShadiSin]

Right now I'm confused as all hell.

I'm being told Aspen is the best bedding to go with, then that carefresh is the best.

What really is the best, and 'cheapest'/something I can buy in bulk?

I'm using Aspen, and I have a few girls that will NOT stop sneezing - they aren't 'sick', they're clear-eyed, sound good.. no crackling or 'sniffling' just random sneezing.

Should I use newspaper until I can stock up on carefresh or something? Or just try to find a paper based bedding other than carefresh?

I'm going back and fourth. I want the best for my girls, but in order to keep them the parents are trying to go for the cheapest bedding route and I don't really approve/like that, but they aren't letting me get a job so they're paying for it.. not me.

[-.,]

Dad found some page at one point saying just cut up fabric works well. Maybe try that?

[ShadiSin]

Dad found some page at one point saying just cut up fabric works well. Maybe try that?

Looks like I'll have to. For a big block of carefresh it's about 45 dollars here compared to a ten dollar block of aspen the same size..

I have the help of a very good friend whom lives a mere hour and fifteen or so minutes away that is helping me with advice and what-not to keep my rats healthier, and, thanks to her I've been corrected on a LOT of things before I could 'mess up'.

[Metallic Dragon]

Lost my sick boy Sunday night :\ I knew it was coming, my vet and I tried everything we could think of and more to try and help him, but his past owner just screwed him up too much and his body couldn't fight off the pneumonia. So, all I can say is rest in peace little Orion. You'll be sorely missed my sweet little buddy...

r.i.p little guy <3
My regards to you.

Thanks, he was a real sweetie. He deserved better than he was given

Right now I'm confused as all hell.

I'm being told Aspen is the best bedding to go with, then that carefresh is the best.

What really is the best, and 'cheapest'/something I can buy in bulk?

I'm using Aspen, and I have a few girls that will NOT stop sneezing - they aren't 'sick', they're clear-eyed, sound good.. no crackling or 'sniffling' just random sneezing.

Should I use newspaper until I can stock up on carefresh or something? Or just try to find a paper based bedding other than carefresh?

I'm going back and fourth. I want the best for my girls, but in order to keep them the parents are trying to go for the cheapest bedding route and I don't really approve/like that, but they aren't letting me get a job so they're paying for it.. not me.

Honestly, I've read in a lot of places that Yesterdays News or other recycled newspaper cat litter is 100% safe and recommended as rat bedding because it's not dusty and absorbs moisture really well(plus it's non-toxic). I haven't tried it myself and I can't tell you how much it costs, but it comes in 20lb bags so there's more and it lasts longer.
If it's too expensive, I'd just go with carefresh. That's what I've been using and I've never had any trouble with it.

[ShadiSin]

I'll probably use newspaper..

Also, Mozart, a male I got from a friend just hardcore sunk his teeth into my finger.

I understand he's new and needs to adjust but so far every time my hand even goes near the cage he goes to bite.

I just put him, along with the other male I got with him, in my spare cage. ;/ they have to go back to my friend.. mom and dad won't handle this biting crap much longer. They just aren't coping with us..

[-PLEASE DELETE-]

Guys!! I'm sooo happy! I love my new boy! He has to stay alone cause he is a male and my other 2 are female but still I love him! He just woke up after falling asleep in my sweatshirt pocket for about an hour! My girls never do that! Armageddon is such a sweet heart! Yes his name is Armageddon XD I'm soo happy! He's a siamese(my favorite type of rat) and he has the best personality!

[HellyBoo]

Naww! I'm so glad that you got a sweet little rat. I am currently having cuddles with all my sweet hearts. Skunk doesn't like the bubs but she is living with trixy who just had a litter of 7 bubs. There is one baby, my Rollie Pollie. He is really fat and has this whole chubby wrinkle look. He is so sweet.

[rachaelandrats]

Guys!! I'm sooo happy! I love my new boy! He has to stay alone cause he is a male and my other 2 are female but still I love him! He just woke up after falling asleep in my sweatshirt pocket for about an hour! My girls never do that! Armageddon is such a sweet heart! Yes his name is Armageddon XD I'm soo happy! He's a siamese(my favorite type of rat) and he has the best personality!

You could get him neutered and then introduce him to your girls (you have to wait a month after the op anyway). Boys usually love having some rattie girlfriends.

[HellyBoo]

I was just wondering if it was expensive everywhere else. It is like $340 to get a rat desexed around here and was just wondering if it was just because I live in a horrible place. Also ratties havent opened their eyes yet but are giving mum a hard time. I now have 21 baby rats. luckily they all have new homes already. Although I would love to keep them all.

Is it unual to have a big litter but only have 2 girls. out of my litter of 11 I have 2 girls. Is that right? I've never had much different to half-half(1 or 2 more on one side) but Yeah.