The BRODENTS! Rodent Enthusiast Thread! V2

[gemini_girl]

id definitely suggest neutering him, or getting a spayed female counterpart. if his dislike of other rats stems from dominance, it is most likely male-related rather than female.

I second this. 90% of the time neutering solves all the issues as male are hard to introduce to one another. It's worth a shot that way he has a better chance at having some companions!

Too bad it' not feasible for everyone. It would cost $400 per rat here. I actually don't own rats because the vet bills here for them are double that of vet care for my cat and I can't afford it.

[gamorasass]

Too bad it' not feasible for everyone. It would cost $400 per rat here. I actually don't own rats because the vet bills here for them are double that of vet care for my cat and I can't afford it.

Yeah, some vets in my area charge an arm and a leg to do anything with a rodent, but they are a higher risk being put under for surgery and they do require special knowledge, so I can understand that. However, I did a lot of searching and managed to find a great vet with affordable prices. I wish I could still have rats, I miss having my little cuddle buddies around :c

[spiderfish]

Bumping, as hopefully getting my gerbils tomorrow. And thanks @casshew, hay is something I hadn't thought of.

Hello Not sure if anyone will remember me, I used to be pretty active, but haven't been around the forums much the past few years. I won't bother filling toe form right now, as I'll probably only pop in with the odd question (like now).

I recently lost one of my Syrians, so I have a spare bin, and I'm considering getting some gerbils. I haven't owned them before, but have owned everything else similarly small & furry (hamsters, both syrian & dwarves, fancy mice, rats, spiny mice, steppe lemmings) so am well acquainted with basic care/taming/ect.
What I'm wanting to know is how males & females differ in personality. I generally bond better with female animals, but if males are like most other small furry things & calmer/less wiggly, I think they may be the better option for me right now.
And also, what bedding works best for them? My hams & mice are currently on shredded cardboard, but I don't know how well it would work for gerbils (though it is rather diggable). Plus, I'd need loads of it to make it deep enough for gerbs, takes one bag to make a decent enough layer for the hams.
And finally, wheel, yay or nay? And if yay, what size/type? I have a spare 11" Trixie somewhere, and some spare 6" flying saucers, but of course if neither of those are suitable, I can get something that is.

[gemini_girl]

Too bad it' not feasible for everyone. It would cost $400 per rat here. I actually don't own rats because the vet bills here for them are double that of vet care for my cat and I can't afford it.

Yeah, some vets in my area charge an arm and a leg to do anything with a rodent, but they are a higher risk being put under for surgery and they do require special knowledge, so I can understand that. However, I did a lot of searching and managed to find a great vet with affordable prices. I wish I could still have rats, I miss having my little cuddle buddies around :c

Petty much all vets here charge wayyyyy more than needed for even the most basic treatment on rats. Southern California and the only low cost vet here is awful at dealing with rats...

[DragonReaper13]

Username: DragonReaper13
Favorite type of rodent: Rat
Tell us about your pets: I got three female rats named Domino, Willow and Rosey

[amsie]

ive never owned a rodent; but i know an awful lot about them. sweet little things.
soon, i might be getting a hedgehog (whilst not a rodent), so i'll be looking at getting quite the few things that rodents have
like cages and what not. i saw that there was a hedgehog chat on cs; but it's very inactive so i guess i'll be coming back here
every once in a while if i do get a hoglet.

[gamorasass]

Username: DragonReaper13
Favorite type of rodent: Rat
Tell us about your pets: I got three female rats named Domino, Willow and Rosey

Welcome to the chat!!

ive never owned a rodent; but i know an awful lot about them. sweet little things.
soon, i might be getting a hedgehog (whilst not a rodent), so i'll be looking at getting quite the few things that rodents have
like cages and what not. i saw that there was a hedgehog chat on cs; but it's very inactive so i guess i'll be coming back here
every once in a while if i do get a hoglet.

You're welcome to chat about your hedgehog here if you'd like and we can help as much as we can! While hedgehogs aren't rodents, they are similar to them, and I know a few things about their care already. I'm sure others do as well.

[amsie]

honestly, just want to know about a few items as i know a lott about the critters already. since the hedgehog chat is dead, i might ask for names later on down the line. i reckon im getting a little girl. i like the name pebble.
do rodents have snuggle sacks/bags? and if so, what make?

[I♫dream♪in♬harmonies]

(note: also posted this on The Rat Thread, but it doesn't seem to be super active so I'm posting here too, hope that's okay)
Hi there! I was hoping someone here might be able to offer some advice. I've had pet rats for the past 12 years or so, and I absolutely love them. I adopted two sisters (we think) about a year and a half ago--Rena and Poppy. At the time, we had two other rats as well, Carney and Jule. Sadly, Carney, Jule, and Poppy have all since passed away, Poppy just a few days ago. It was really hard. I don't think we will be able to adopt any more rats to keep Rena company, as I'm leaving for college before too long. I've never had a single rat for an extended period before, and I'm worried about her and looking for advice to keep her happy. I have a large cage with two main "stories" and two additional smaller ones. She has igloos as well as cardboard boxes and hammocks made from t-shirts that I change up regularly. I give her newspaper as bedding, and she stuffs it where she likes. I give her a treat (fresh fruit or vegetable, or Cheerios) every day in addition to her regular pellets. I'm trying to spend extra time taking her out to play, but she has never been one to run around a ton. Any tips for other items I can add to her cage or other ways to keep her engaged and happy, short of adopting another rat? Thanks in advance

[dwarjam]

[ snip ]

I'm sorry for your losses.

how is she behaving right now? does she seem stressed or different at all in any way?
some rats can be quite alright without a rat companion if you really spend a lot of time with them and communicate and play! I've had to have some of my rats alone too when their companion died, and they didn't become depressed as I was constantly providing activities and spend time with them, I would have my rats out of the cages all day long and they would spend time just sleeping in my pockets/hood or on shoulders.
every rat, obviously, is different from one another, it worked out with me, so it might work out with more rats.

I don't have any additional tips, honestly, as you're already providing her so many activities, treats, and attention, which is great! I just say keep doing so, play and get her toys (if she likes them) and loads of attention!