The Rat Lovers Club! ~MODS PLEASE LOCK!

[OneRowdyNight]

I cried when I had to give my cats away- and they didn't even die.
I'm dreading the day that I'll come home and find my babies lying stiff in their cage. I almost cry just thinking about it.

I've had that happen. Mine was the worst, because I'd been told she was recovering and had gone out to buy new supplies. I came in, treats ready, and Athena was gone... I cried so hard...


HELP

My 3 month olds keep getting out of thei new cage! D: They can't fit through the reg. bars, but find little spots to sneak out. What can I do? ):

[ratius]

I cried when I had to give my cats away- and they didn't even die.
I'm dreading the day that I'll come home and find my babies lying stiff in their cage. I almost cry just thinking about it.

I've had that happen. Mine was the worst, because I'd been told she was recovering and had gone out to buy new supplies. I came in, treats ready, and Athena was gone... I cried so hard...


HELP

My 3 month olds keep getting out of thei new cage! D: They can't fit through the reg. bars, but find little spots to sneak out. What can I do? ):

Sorry for all your loses, especially Pandora . I also cried a lot when my dog died, but I believe he is in a better place now, happily jumping and playing :')

@rowdy: do you have the possibility of buying an aquarium? That's what I would do, as they can't find spots to sneak out, it's pretty safe. If not I would also buy some wire mesh and wrap the cage with it... Hope it helps...

Also, my ratties are happy, especially with their new cage and super hammock. Oni loves it! Some questions to all, do your rats come when called by their names?, if so, how did you teach them? Any other tricks that they know? (and want to share? :p) Thanks!!

[MochaTheLlama]

Well, one way I've learned from others to get your rat to come is find a treat they really like, and shake the bag lightly and/or call their name, then immediatly give them a treat, repeat this step MANY times. Soon, set them out of their cage and go somewhere where you can see and supervise them, but they can't see you. Shake the bag or call their name and see if they come, if they do, give them a treat. Soon they'll learn to come when their called.

[ratius]

Well, one way I've learned from others to get your rat to come is find a treat they really like, and shake the bag lightly and/or call their name, then immediatly give them a treat, repeat this step MANY times. Soon, set them out of their cage and go somewhere where you can see and supervise them, but they can't see you. Shake the bag or call their name and see if they come, if they do, give them a treat. Soon they'll learn to come when their called.

This is great! Thanks :3 I'll try it as soon as I can

[InMemoryOf]

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Username: InMemoryOf
Have you ever had a rat?: Yess. I've had...five now. Two girls named Oasis and Zuchinni. And three boys named Malcolm, Liam, and Arthur. <3

[Robojam]

Went to the pet store today, one poor baby all alone :C Quite big though. He might have been a few months. But he was adorable. A dove hooded, red eyes male C: He kept leaping up at the cage, and soemhow he stuck to the glass.. xD I wanted to get him, but I have female rats... I said to mum "we could desex him!" and she says "no." He looked so lonely though! Cute little baby rat <3

[ratius]

Welcome!
If you have time, can you tell me how they are (markings, etc)? I would love to see them!

[Centri]

I cried when I had to give my cats away- and they didn't even die.
I'm dreading the day that I'll come home and find my babies lying stiff in their cage. I almost cry just thinking about it.

I've had that happen. Mine was the worst, because I'd been told she was recovering and had gone out to buy new supplies. I came in, treats ready, and Athena was gone... I cried so hard...


HELP

My 3 month olds keep getting out of thei new cage! D: They can't fit through the reg. bars, but find little spots to sneak out. What can I do? ):

@rowdy: do you have the possibility of buying an aquarium? That's what I would do, as they can't find spots to sneak out, it's pretty safe. If not I would also buy some wire mesh and wrap the cage with it... Hope it helps...

I would try to get a new, safer cage if possible. Aquariums are probably the worst thing you can keep your rats in. The air flow is really bad and they will be a lot more prone to catch various respiratory problems.
This cage, for example, is escape proof, but not very large (80*50*79 cms): http://www.zooplus.com/shop/rodents/cag ... age/126777
It would probably be ok for 2-3 rats

[hypersomn.ia]

If you're going to get an aquarium, the air flow is bad, (as Centri wrote), but you can still get one. You'll have to take the rats out way more often and clean the cage a LOT.

[Inari Rose]

tanks are ok but ventilation is VERY important. as you probably know rats are prone to respiratory diseases so make sure their cage is clean and take them out to play often.
i find bird cages are good for keeping rats in. as long as you make sure the doors are secure. I am currently keeping my 2, 4 week old rats in this cage: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753629&lmdn=Price
i dont have any problems with them escaping yet so i leave the doors the way they are but i do have LOTS of toys for them and take them out often. not sure if that was much of a help... ^^"