The BRODENTS! Rodent Enthusiast Thread!

[meerkat boi.]

^^ haha thanks I never knew that.
its just because im hoping for a hamster in the next year or so.


My parents arent letting me get one because we are busy atm.
We are going to France next summer and no one will be there to mind a hamster.
Also I might have t take an emergency flight to Estonia as my grandad aint doing so well
"Maybe next year" my mom says

[a snoozing skerple]

it just occurred to me that we've had our current rats since the august of last year and never once in that time have any of them gone into heat. al and vinny were too young when we got them to have been fixed by the store and sindy was nursing just a day before we got her. come to think of it, i don't remember odi ever going into heat either when we had her. i know durn and robin did, and durn was most likely from the same litter as odi. not really sure what's goin on here. oO

[Kisiel]

it just occurred to me that we've had our current rats since the august of last year and never once in that time have any of them gone into heat. al and vinny were too young when we got them to have been fixed by the store and sindy was nursing just a day before we got her. come to think of it, i don't remember odi ever going into heat either when we had her. i know durn and robin did, and durn was most likely from the same litter as odi. not really sure what's goin on here. oO

They go into heat every 4-5 days if not spayed. Not all does will show "symptoms" ie hopping, back arching and ear wiggling. I never know when two of mine are in heat because they simply don't show it.

[MotherMother]

Hang up dog ropes to create an active layout instead of using solid levels/platforms. Colourful storage baskets can be filled with substrate or simply used as something to hop in and out of. Scarf racks can be used as fall breakers or an alternative to cargo nets. Plastic cocktail bowls can be hung up as a bed or foraging toy.

The only limit is your imagination, there are countless of things you can use inside the rats' cage to make it fun and interesting.

I would definitely recommend a wheel if you can get one large enough though - 12" is the absolute minimum, however 14" and 16" wheels are better and seemingly preferred by rats.

I'd be careful with ropes because the vast majority are too strong, so when the rat chew it, it frays and catches their nails. A lot of rats have lost nails and even broken their toes as a result. You also have to know what it is treated with, some chemicals are poisonous and it's hard to find rope that is truly safe. I know because I've always wanted to make a bendy rope (with thick metal wire inside to allow bending) but I did some research and found that you have to be really picky when choosing ropes. It would be a fanstastic toy but just make sure it's the right kind!
It was a while ago so I can't remember which types you can and cannot use, but I'm sure there's plenty of info online! C:

[Kisiel]

Hang up dog ropes to create an active layout instead of using solid levels/platforms. Colourful storage baskets can be filled with substrate or simply used as something to hop in and out of. Scarf racks can be used as fall breakers or an alternative to cargo nets. Plastic cocktail bowls can be hung up as a bed or foraging toy.

The only limit is your imagination, there are countless of things you can use inside the rats' cage to make it fun and interesting.

I would definitely recommend a wheel if you can get one large enough though - 12" is the absolute minimum, however 14" and 16" wheels are better and seemingly preferred by rats.

I'd be careful with ropes because the vast majority are too strong, so when the rat chew it, it frays and catches their nails. A lot of rats have lost nails and even broken their toes as a result. You also have to know what it is treated with, some chemicals are poisonous and it's hard to find rope that is truly safe. I know because I've always wanted to make a bendy rope (with thick metal wire inside to allow bending) but I did some research and found that you have to be really picky when choosing ropes. It would be a fanstastic toy but just make sure it's the right kind!
It was a while ago so I can't remember which types you can and cannot use, but I'm sure there's plenty of info online! C:

Literally any ropes designed for dogs are fine to use. My cage is full of them, different thicknesses and types to keep it interesting for the rats. Current favourite is the giant (about a meter long) girthy one from the Range, it cost a about £8 and comes in a few different colours. Ropes for parrots are also generally okay. I've never heard of rats breaking nails on ropes, and literally 95% of the U.K. rat fancy uses them...

[MotherMother]

Hang up dog ropes to create an active layout instead of using solid levels/platforms. Colourful storage baskets can be filled with substrate or simply used as something to hop in and out of. Scarf racks can be used as fall breakers or an alternative to cargo nets. Plastic cocktail bowls can be hung up as a bed or foraging toy.

The only limit is your imagination, there are countless of things you can use inside the rats' cage to make it fun and interesting.

I would definitely recommend a wheel if you can get one large enough though - 12" is the absolute minimum, however 14" and 16" wheels are better and seemingly preferred by rats.

I'd be careful with ropes because the vast majority are too strong, so when the rat chew it, it frays and catches their nails. A lot of rats have lost nails and even broken their toes as a result. You also have to know what it is treated with, some chemicals are poisonous and it's hard to find rope that is truly safe. I know because I've always wanted to make a bendy rope (with thick metal wire inside to allow bending) but I did some research and found that you have to be really picky when choosing ropes. It would be a fanstastic toy but just make sure it's the right kind!
It was a while ago so I can't remember which types you can and cannot use, but I'm sure there's plenty of info online! C:

Literally any ropes designed for dogs are fine to use. My cage is full of them, different thicknesses and types to keep it interesting for the rats. Current favourite is the giant (about a meter long) girthy one from the Range, it cost a about £8 and comes in a few different colours. Ropes for parrots are also generally okay. I've never heard of rats breaking nails on ropes, and literally 95% of the U.K. rat fancy uses them...

Idk man I'm just putting it out there. A quick search on google can find a lot of horror stories so I'm just saying to be aware

[depressedanonymous,]

Does anyone have a rat bumblefoot horror stories? When I had my rats I was lucky they didn’t get bumblefoot, so I’m always really interested in stories of peoples who’s pet rats have gotten it.

that was poorly worded sorry I’m watching The Office so I’m distracted

[meerkat boi.]

Does anyone have a rat bumblefoot horror stories? When I had my rats I was lucky they didn’t get bumblefoot, so I’m always really interested in stories of peoples who’s pet rats have gotten it.

that was poorly worded sorry I’m watching The Office so I’m distracted

I'm pretty sure rats only get bumblefoot from bad weels. Do rats get bumblefoot? I've only heard of hamsters and birds getting it

[Kisiel]

Does anyone have a rat bumblefoot horror stories? When I had my rats I was lucky they didn’t get bumblefoot, so I’m always really interested in stories of peoples who’s pet rats have gotten it.

that was poorly worded sorry I’m watching The Office so I’m distracted

I'm pretty sure rats only get bumblefoot from bad weels. Do rats get bumblefoot? I've only heard of hamsters and birds getting it

That isn't correct.

Bumble foot is caused by bacteria entering a wound and basically causing an infection. Overweight rats are especially prone to it as the most pressure is put on their feet, however unsuitable cage flooring and soiled bedding can also play a part.

Bumble foot is actually not as common as people sometimes think.

[MoonfallTheFox]

Does anyone have a rat bumblefoot horror stories? When I had my rats I was lucky they didn’t get bumblefoot, so I’m always really interested in stories of peoples who’s pet rats have gotten it.

that was poorly worded sorry I’m watching The Office so I’m distracted

I've had a lot of rats and they've never had it. I also never used wire shelves/floors which can be a factor. And I don't provide a wheel. I have found they use it for sleeping more than running and it mostly gathers pee. Lol. So there are no inappropriate wheel surfaces to worry about.

I can tell you some fun ones about abscesses though. Yummy!