How do I make extra levels for my rat cage out of normal, house-hold objects?How do I make extra levels for my rat cage?
I would use the plastic lids that come off butter bowls. The cardboard idea will work except no matter what you use the rat will chew on it, so be careful not to put any thing toxic in there.How do I make extra levels for my rat cage?
I use laminated wood shelving in my rattie's cage. Easy to clean and is much more stable than plastic and cardboard. Or you can get plastic levels at pet shops, but I find they aren't big enough to count as a level.
Well you can make a rat cage out of house hold object but it might not be to safe for your rats plus what you might build may not be sturdy and fall and hurt them but they have leveled rat cages at pet stores
Good Luck -Hope
You could use the card board tube found inside paper towel rolls. And you could use cardboard for a different level, maybe a washcloth as a hammock. Get creative and have fun with your rat!
Friday, February 12, 2010
What do you do with a rat that's stuck on a glue rat trap but still alive?
Help! I feel so mean! I thought they were supposed to die quickly. This sucks!What do you do with a rat that's stuck on a glue rat trap but still alive?
Get rid of the glue traps all together...as for the poor animal stuck in your trap, if you really want to set him free take him outside way away from your house and dump olive oil on his feet and the trap. It should release him and you dont have to get close to him...once he is free trust me if he isnt close to death he isnt going to attack you, he is just going to take off. If he is close to death then there isnt a heck of a lot you can do except to end his suffering....as I said get rid of hte glue traps. ShazWhat do you do with a rat that's stuck on a glue rat trap but still alive?
STOMP THE CRAP OUT OF IT
It is a rat. -- Kill it. Or at least throw it out back so the neighborhood cat can find it. Throw it in the freezer and close the door. do not open it until tomorrow. Then just throw it away.
EWWW THROW THAT MESS OUTSIDE BY THE DUMPSTER AND WATCH THE RACCONS AND THE CATS GET iT LMAOOOON pretty bad huh?
I always scoop into a coffe can I won't touch them even with a glove incase they bite. What you do after that is up to you.
Glue traps are probably the nastiest of the rodent traps. The rodent will just lay there and get more and more stuck. It will suffer for 2 or 3 days slowly starving. The glue trap is a mess and likely will stick to you when you pick it up to throw it away. If it's a rat you caught, BE CAREFULL they bite! ! ! Of course, so do mice.
first of all why would u ever use one of those ev il devices. All they do is trap the poor animal so that they can starve to death, after ripping their legs off trying to escape. Sometimes they even get their toungs caught on the glue. Evil Evil things.
Now that u have cause the slow pain and suffering to a little creaturre,u want someone else to help u destroy it. Ok take a hammer and hit it in the head, and then stick urself to a large sheet of sticky paper. never use those evil devices, snap traps are more humaine.
Good Morning KristinB
I tried to answer ur post but it would not go through, so I am answering the post here.
I am sorry that I came down so hard about the live traps. I just do not like traps that does not kill the rodents quickly I understand that with a child in the house that u do not want to use poison.
Maybe U can get ur landlord to get some live traps, those catches the vermin and does not torture them. I use to have lots of mice problems since I have lots of rent houses around my place. I have been luckly to get a nest of nonpoisonous grass snakes living on my property, they keep the mice population down real well. And they do not bother anyone and are harmless.
And U are wrong, there is people out here that really does care. I just have a thing for Mother Natures critters. Everyone of them has a place on Earth, some of them just not in our houses.
Again I am sorry for coming down so hard, But i sure wish that they would quit making those types of traps. No critter deserves to suffer needlessly.
Hope that U and the landlord can get the problem solved.
One of Mother Natures Tree Huggers
well they dont die from sitting in glue
it will die from starvation
just snap the poor lil things neck
Don't feel mean! They did not ask you if they could be there. On a glue trap they are not going to die unless you leave them there to starve. Your best bet is to get the traps, then throw the whole thing away when you catch one (their cheap). Just don't EVER use a ';bait';, they will eat it, then go off somewhere to die, and you have to put up w/ then smell.
Sad to say, but glue traps are more cruel than the old fashioned, spring loaded rat traps that break the creature's neck.
To end its misery quickly you'll need to club it. Throw a garbage bag on top of him and hammer his head in with a heavy object. Be prepared for some clean up. And remember don't get too close to get bitten.
If you had a good pellet gun that would do the job cleaner, but it's not likely that you have one around.
Ziplock bag works quick and less messy.
throw it far away from ur house and ignore it, its mean but i cant bear to kill the thing
If you can't bring yourself to kill the thing, place the whole trap in a garbage bag, then bunch the bag's neck around your car's exhaust pipe. Wrap some tape around to hold it tight on the pipe, and then run the car. The engine will probably die after a bit, because of the exhaust being closed off. But the carbon monoxide will kill the animal well before the engine dies. This is probably one of the most humane ways, short of lethal injection or electrocution (I won't go there...) You could probably also weigh the thing down in a tub of water. But gas is more humane than drowning.
Whatever you do, DON'T leave it out somewhere for other animals to get, unless you are so morbid you want to see the other ones get stuck in the glue as well. That stuff is messy.
poor guy thats why I hate those things.
you have to either hit him with a shovel or drowned him. either way its not a nice experience for you (and definitely not for him)
Get rid of the glue traps all together...as for the poor animal stuck in your trap, if you really want to set him free take him outside way away from your house and dump olive oil on his feet and the trap. It should release him and you dont have to get close to him...once he is free trust me if he isnt close to death he isnt going to attack you, he is just going to take off. If he is close to death then there isnt a heck of a lot you can do except to end his suffering....as I said get rid of hte glue traps. ShazWhat do you do with a rat that's stuck on a glue rat trap but still alive?
STOMP THE CRAP OUT OF IT
It is a rat. -- Kill it. Or at least throw it out back so the neighborhood cat can find it. Throw it in the freezer and close the door. do not open it until tomorrow. Then just throw it away.
EWWW THROW THAT MESS OUTSIDE BY THE DUMPSTER AND WATCH THE RACCONS AND THE CATS GET iT LMAOOOON pretty bad huh?
I always scoop into a coffe can I won't touch them even with a glove incase they bite. What you do after that is up to you.
Glue traps are probably the nastiest of the rodent traps. The rodent will just lay there and get more and more stuck. It will suffer for 2 or 3 days slowly starving. The glue trap is a mess and likely will stick to you when you pick it up to throw it away. If it's a rat you caught, BE CAREFULL they bite! ! ! Of course, so do mice.
first of all why would u ever use one of those ev il devices. All they do is trap the poor animal so that they can starve to death, after ripping their legs off trying to escape. Sometimes they even get their toungs caught on the glue. Evil Evil things.
Now that u have cause the slow pain and suffering to a little creaturre,u want someone else to help u destroy it. Ok take a hammer and hit it in the head, and then stick urself to a large sheet of sticky paper. never use those evil devices, snap traps are more humaine.
Good Morning KristinB
I tried to answer ur post but it would not go through, so I am answering the post here.
I am sorry that I came down so hard about the live traps. I just do not like traps that does not kill the rodents quickly I understand that with a child in the house that u do not want to use poison.
Maybe U can get ur landlord to get some live traps, those catches the vermin and does not torture them. I use to have lots of mice problems since I have lots of rent houses around my place. I have been luckly to get a nest of nonpoisonous grass snakes living on my property, they keep the mice population down real well. And they do not bother anyone and are harmless.
And U are wrong, there is people out here that really does care. I just have a thing for Mother Natures critters. Everyone of them has a place on Earth, some of them just not in our houses.
Again I am sorry for coming down so hard, But i sure wish that they would quit making those types of traps. No critter deserves to suffer needlessly.
Hope that U and the landlord can get the problem solved.
One of Mother Natures Tree Huggers
well they dont die from sitting in glue
it will die from starvation
just snap the poor lil things neck
Don't feel mean! They did not ask you if they could be there. On a glue trap they are not going to die unless you leave them there to starve. Your best bet is to get the traps, then throw the whole thing away when you catch one (their cheap). Just don't EVER use a ';bait';, they will eat it, then go off somewhere to die, and you have to put up w/ then smell.
Sad to say, but glue traps are more cruel than the old fashioned, spring loaded rat traps that break the creature's neck.
To end its misery quickly you'll need to club it. Throw a garbage bag on top of him and hammer his head in with a heavy object. Be prepared for some clean up. And remember don't get too close to get bitten.
If you had a good pellet gun that would do the job cleaner, but it's not likely that you have one around.
Ziplock bag works quick and less messy.
throw it far away from ur house and ignore it, its mean but i cant bear to kill the thing
If you can't bring yourself to kill the thing, place the whole trap in a garbage bag, then bunch the bag's neck around your car's exhaust pipe. Wrap some tape around to hold it tight on the pipe, and then run the car. The engine will probably die after a bit, because of the exhaust being closed off. But the carbon monoxide will kill the animal well before the engine dies. This is probably one of the most humane ways, short of lethal injection or electrocution (I won't go there...) You could probably also weigh the thing down in a tub of water. But gas is more humane than drowning.
Whatever you do, DON'T leave it out somewhere for other animals to get, unless you are so morbid you want to see the other ones get stuck in the glue as well. That stuff is messy.
poor guy thats why I hate those things.
you have to either hit him with a shovel or drowned him. either way its not a nice experience for you (and definitely not for him)
What would happen to someone if they consumed rat poison?
What would happen to someone if they consumed RAT POISON FOR 7 DAYS STRAIGHT?
I dont knw if this is will help but I the plastic had the word bromadiolone on it. I think thats the name or it contained that
So what are the signs of poisoning and when I will I notice it
Whats the worst that could happen to me?What would happen to someone if they consumed rat poison?
you would be dead by now. go to the hopsital now!What would happen to someone if they consumed rat poison?
You need to call poison control or go to the hospital NOW!!!!
um well you might want to call poisin control center but some gum has rat poison in it and my mom wont let me chew itWhy is my cat vomiting white foam
I dont knw if this is will help but I the plastic had the word bromadiolone on it. I think thats the name or it contained that
So what are the signs of poisoning and when I will I notice it
Whats the worst that could happen to me?What would happen to someone if they consumed rat poison?
you would be dead by now. go to the hopsital now!What would happen to someone if they consumed rat poison?
You need to call poison control or go to the hospital NOW!!!!
um well you might want to call poisin control center but some gum has rat poison in it and my mom wont let me chew it
Can you put a female dumbo rat with a female blue rat in the same cage?
Ive been wanting two rats but i want them to be different breeds.Why?No clue.Any help will be greatly appreciated.Thank you.Can you put a female dumbo rat with a female blue rat in the same cage?
They're not different breeds, they're both the same breed - rats. One has gray fur and one has dumbo ears - that's the only difference. Yes, if they get along, you can keep them together without any problems since they are same sex. You can also find a breeder who has both of these types of rats for you - or solve your problem and get 2 blue dumbo siblings and that way they came from the same breeder/litter and should get along fine. You are not going to find dumbos or blues in a big box pet store unless someone screwed up somewhere. Find a local rescue or shelter, or a good local breeder (you might need to get on a waiting list).Can you put a female dumbo rat with a female blue rat in the same cage?
I think that would be okay. I had 2 fancy mice and decided that it was time for another mouse. It was a different kind of mouse. (About twice the size of the fancy mice but not as big as a rat) They were a bit mean at first but after I kept an eye on them they got along. After that they were all best friends. Haha! :) Good Luck!
- Nicole
yes, but take them both in to neutral territory first, bed, floor, ect ect. just not the cage, let them get used to each other and then put them together. you can put any kind of rat with any kind of rat you want to. its just a matter of them getting along and getting to know each other in a non threatening manner
Yes, what mudd said. They're not different breeds, they're just have different markings.
And it'll be fine as long as you introduce them to each other slowly.
Or, get two from the same litter and you won't have any problems as long as they're the same sex.
They're not different breeds, they're both the same breed - rats. One has gray fur and one has dumbo ears - that's the only difference. Yes, if they get along, you can keep them together without any problems since they are same sex. You can also find a breeder who has both of these types of rats for you - or solve your problem and get 2 blue dumbo siblings and that way they came from the same breeder/litter and should get along fine. You are not going to find dumbos or blues in a big box pet store unless someone screwed up somewhere. Find a local rescue or shelter, or a good local breeder (you might need to get on a waiting list).Can you put a female dumbo rat with a female blue rat in the same cage?
I think that would be okay. I had 2 fancy mice and decided that it was time for another mouse. It was a different kind of mouse. (About twice the size of the fancy mice but not as big as a rat) They were a bit mean at first but after I kept an eye on them they got along. After that they were all best friends. Haha! :) Good Luck!
- Nicole
yes, but take them both in to neutral territory first, bed, floor, ect ect. just not the cage, let them get used to each other and then put them together. you can put any kind of rat with any kind of rat you want to. its just a matter of them getting along and getting to know each other in a non threatening manner
Yes, what mudd said. They're not different breeds, they're just have different markings.
And it'll be fine as long as you introduce them to each other slowly.
Or, get two from the same litter and you won't have any problems as long as they're the same sex.
My pet rat won't wear his harness, how do I get him comfortable in it?
I recently bought a harness for my pet rat because they need lots of interaction, and it can get boring in my apartment. I've seen people walking their pet rats, and wish mine would learn to enjoy it. He just plops down on his furry butt and cries in complaint. He's not really squeaking like a rat in pain, just one of his frustrated squeaks he makes when I take his snacks away. Help?My pet rat won't wear his harness, how do I get him comfortable in it?
Interaction means he can play with you on the bed or sofa, at your computer, in the bathtub, etc., you don't necessarily need to take him for a walk, but if you want to, then try the steps below.
You have to realize this is new for him and he will have to get used to it first. Put it on and since he likes to plop down, put him up on your shoulder and walk around the apartment with him. Do this several times. This will let him know you are not going to let anything happen to him. You can also take him outside this way, harness on, but up on your shoulder. Graduate to the sofa or bed and see if he will walk on his own. Once he does this a few times, then graduate to the floor and see how it goes. If all is well, then try taking him outside and see if he likes the ground, once again, this will be a new area, so it might take a few tries.
I hope this information helps you.
Mrs.Rattitude
http://www.ratchatter.com
Pet Rat ForumMy pet rat won't wear his harness, how do I get him comfortable in it?
get him used to it by walking him round the house.
I never managed to get any of my rats to walk in the harness, the most I got out of them was a tolerance of wearing it for short periods of time. I'd suggest getting a second rat so you don't feel so bad about him being by himself.
http://www.shadowrat.com/rats/friends.ht鈥?/a>
pretty much the only way is to try and try and try with the harness.
just keep it on him all the time so he gets used to it. Or make it something good like treats=harness
Interaction means he can play with you on the bed or sofa, at your computer, in the bathtub, etc., you don't necessarily need to take him for a walk, but if you want to, then try the steps below.
You have to realize this is new for him and he will have to get used to it first. Put it on and since he likes to plop down, put him up on your shoulder and walk around the apartment with him. Do this several times. This will let him know you are not going to let anything happen to him. You can also take him outside this way, harness on, but up on your shoulder. Graduate to the sofa or bed and see if he will walk on his own. Once he does this a few times, then graduate to the floor and see how it goes. If all is well, then try taking him outside and see if he likes the ground, once again, this will be a new area, so it might take a few tries.
I hope this information helps you.
Mrs.Rattitude
http://www.ratchatter.com
Pet Rat ForumMy pet rat won't wear his harness, how do I get him comfortable in it?
get him used to it by walking him round the house.
I never managed to get any of my rats to walk in the harness, the most I got out of them was a tolerance of wearing it for short periods of time. I'd suggest getting a second rat so you don't feel so bad about him being by himself.
http://www.shadowrat.com/rats/friends.ht鈥?/a>
pretty much the only way is to try and try and try with the harness.
just keep it on him all the time so he gets used to it. Or make it something good like treats=harness
How much would a hamster,gerbil or a rat costs at a regular pet store?
I about to go out and buy one of the three and I would like to know how much they cost before I go out and get one and wich one would you personally rather have and why?How much would a hamster,gerbil or a rat costs at a regular pet store?
well if you go to petco, there is an adoption table (usally)
and they usally have rats on the adoption table
and anything that is on the adoption table is free
but a normal rat would cost about 3-10$
which isnt so bad. i prefer to have rats because hamster and gerbils are more likly to bite but can still be very loving like all critters. have fun with your new critter. good luckHow much would a hamster,gerbil or a rat costs at a regular pet store?
You should get a rat. They are the best because they are usally the sweetest and they love to be held. Hamsters and gerbils dont. I just got two large baby rats 2 days ago and they costed $10 each. And I bought them all their stuff(including water bottle, food bowl, food, hut, and large cage) and them for almost $80 so it is very cheap. But I do advise you to get two of them because they hate being alone and will often become depressed and lonely by themselves.
They're all pretty much between 10-12$
Gerbils are the most social and active. If you get a partner of the same sex for them, they won't be able to breed but will have company and then you don't need to spend a lot of time with them. All you do is feed them every day and make sure their water is always fresh. Play with them around 15 minutes a day and then once in a while (weekly) clean out their cage and give them a bath in chinchilla dust. It's so cute to watch- they roll around and then their fur is shiny when they're done. Gerbils are cute, fun, friendly, inexpensive, easily entertained, and not time-consuming at all.
The total cost for 2 gerbils, a 10-gallon aquarium, toys, food, bedding, and other incidentals is $75-85 they're cheap and make awesome pets! Good luck!
im guessing 20-30
rat prolly cheeper.
i would want a rat though.
=D
Well personally I would deffinately get a pair of rats, they are so sweet and cuddley and they will love you forever if u treat them right but you MUST get a pair no matter how much you play with them. Rata are very social and need company. I heard gerbils bite and hamsters run away. Theyy don't love you like a rat does.
hamsters $10-20, gerbils the same, rats $30-40. I have 3 hamsters all bought at petsmart, all in their own cages since they are solitary animals.
Rats will run you about $5 each, but they're really great pets. They're self aware, which means they can think and have feelings, much like we do. Each one has a personality. You'll want to pick one that comes when you click your tongue at it or squeek through your teeth, as it'll be readilly sociable.
I like female rats, as they're less musky and tend to explore more. You DO NOT have to get a pair of rats if you play with the one enough. I find that they stay more ';rat-like'; if there's another rat around. If they stay solo, they socialize to YOU instead.
They're also trainable to do tricks and even use a litter box.
Here's a few of my favorite sites:
http://www.dapper.com.au/
http://www.ratfanclub.org/
http://ratguide.com/
well if you go to petco, there is an adoption table (usally)
and they usally have rats on the adoption table
and anything that is on the adoption table is free
but a normal rat would cost about 3-10$
which isnt so bad. i prefer to have rats because hamster and gerbils are more likly to bite but can still be very loving like all critters. have fun with your new critter. good luckHow much would a hamster,gerbil or a rat costs at a regular pet store?
You should get a rat. They are the best because they are usally the sweetest and they love to be held. Hamsters and gerbils dont. I just got two large baby rats 2 days ago and they costed $10 each. And I bought them all their stuff(including water bottle, food bowl, food, hut, and large cage) and them for almost $80 so it is very cheap. But I do advise you to get two of them because they hate being alone and will often become depressed and lonely by themselves.
They're all pretty much between 10-12$
Gerbils are the most social and active. If you get a partner of the same sex for them, they won't be able to breed but will have company and then you don't need to spend a lot of time with them. All you do is feed them every day and make sure their water is always fresh. Play with them around 15 minutes a day and then once in a while (weekly) clean out their cage and give them a bath in chinchilla dust. It's so cute to watch- they roll around and then their fur is shiny when they're done. Gerbils are cute, fun, friendly, inexpensive, easily entertained, and not time-consuming at all.
The total cost for 2 gerbils, a 10-gallon aquarium, toys, food, bedding, and other incidentals is $75-85 they're cheap and make awesome pets! Good luck!
im guessing 20-30
rat prolly cheeper.
i would want a rat though.
=D
Well personally I would deffinately get a pair of rats, they are so sweet and cuddley and they will love you forever if u treat them right but you MUST get a pair no matter how much you play with them. Rata are very social and need company. I heard gerbils bite and hamsters run away. Theyy don't love you like a rat does.
hamsters $10-20, gerbils the same, rats $30-40. I have 3 hamsters all bought at petsmart, all in their own cages since they are solitary animals.
Rats will run you about $5 each, but they're really great pets. They're self aware, which means they can think and have feelings, much like we do. Each one has a personality. You'll want to pick one that comes when you click your tongue at it or squeek through your teeth, as it'll be readilly sociable.
I like female rats, as they're less musky and tend to explore more. You DO NOT have to get a pair of rats if you play with the one enough. I find that they stay more ';rat-like'; if there's another rat around. If they stay solo, they socialize to YOU instead.
They're also trainable to do tricks and even use a litter box.
Here's a few of my favorite sites:
http://www.dapper.com.au/
http://www.ratfanclub.org/
http://ratguide.com/
Is a rat a good low maintance (not including attention) animal for me?
I am a low income college student that is considering a pet rat. I have heard they are quite an awesome pet and I am really considering one but don't know too much about them. Is a male or female better? I hear males they mark territory and don't want to deal with that but i don't really know. Do they require a lot of maintance? Are they the kind of pet that will just chill on your shoulder?Is a rat a good low maintance (not including attention) animal for me?
Males will rub their gland across things and leave a trail if you don't neuter them.
If smell bothers you, and you can't afford a neuter, get a female.
Females are fun. Males are laid back, and females like to explore and run around.
The cage will cost you the most.
I personally made my cage for less than $10. Soaked hardware mesh and a recycle guinea pig cage pan = win.
Otherwise, a rat cage will run you a good $100 for a decent sized one.
You can easily train your rat to sit on your shoulder, but a female will be more apt to run back and forth around your neck. All three of my babies do.
The food is rather cheap. Lab blocks are the staple food, $2 a box at walmart or cheaper in bulk from a pet store.
Then you can give them your dinner scraps. Cooked noodles, cooked rice, cooked chicken bones, pieces of chicken or steak, vegetable. Anything they'll steal off your plate really.
Litter will cost a bit. I recommend Kaytee Soft-sorbent which is at petsmart for $16 a bag, but this bag will last you so long.
If you're not going to be home much, I recommend lots of hammocks, toys, and a friend!
Two is better than one.
I had one for so long and she became nippy from not having a friend, so I bought another and she became so sweet. I can walk around with both of them on my shoulder, offering pieces of millet spray as treats to let them know they're good girls.
I have one that'll sit in my hood and I'll walk through the store or the mall with her. ;) Secretly, of course.
They're low maintenance in that they don't require a lot of action to keep them happy, but they'll still need you to be there for them to run around on.Is a rat a good low maintance (not including attention) animal for me?
Rats do make fun pets, are pretty low maintance considering housing/bedding and food. They arnt terribly long gived, usually 3+ I believe. Personally if you do buy one I would sujjest a female, males tent to smell more and like you said mark things. Also cage cleaning as important as they can be abit messy with food and what not. I also think it really depends on the personality of the animal.. Some will probably just chill with you, other my perfer exploring rather then just sitting.
Edit.. Above me is talking about cages, but I wanted to add that at some garage sales I've seen wicked nice cages for really cheap.. So if your one of those people who don't mind looking around, that could be a really good find.
Rats are brilliant pets! Normally the males are more active, and the females more layed back. You can toilet train them. My current ones are males and they are toilet trained, and very friendly. They have to be trained to sit on your shoulder, but all you do is pick them up and place them their without leaning forward. Here is a good site:
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Train-Your-Pet-Rat%26amp;id=685747
Rats are fun pets and I recommemd that you do buy two at least. If you buy just one, you will have to give him/her lots of attention otherwise it will be lonely, and untame.
rats are great pets but just like any pet, they still need attention. they are low maintenance compared to other pets. males are actually calmer than females. i think its a great pet and yes, you can train it to chill on your shoulder but dont forget to still give it a lot of attention
I own a rat that I got as a very tiny baby. It is a male. It was supposed to be snake food for someones snake but I rescued it from them. I think I would have picked a female if I would have had a choice but I didn't. As it turns out the males are very awesome pets so I am glad I didn't have a choice. Females tend to like to wander around and do their own thing and males are more opt to spending quality time with their owners and sticking close by. My male is now huge and doesn't pee or poop when outside his cage. Rats are very cool.They need food and a nice size cage with a secure lid. But as far as money they are low maintenance. But if you want one that is shoulder trained and trained to not poop outside the cage you must be willing to spend a good amount of time with him/her to train them and get them used to you. I would start with a baby, as then you can train them for how you want your pet to be. I spend a lot of time with mine dailey. Mine has a 20 gallon aquarium but a 10 should do also. Mine comes out 3 to 4 times a day for 30 to 90 minutes each time or he gets very lonely. When I first got him I spent alot of time with him and it was very easy to train him to like being handled and kissed. He loves to run up my back and go on my shoulder or pockets voluntarily. He never poops or pees on me or my belongings and he doesn't chew my stuff but in his cage I provide a chew toy for him because rats teeth always grow and they need to have chew toys to trim them down or they grow so long they can no longer eat. When I started spending all the time with my rat I already knew I wanted and was willing to have a pet that was used to getting that much attention. Once you give them a certain amount of time a day they look forward to being with you as they are very social, smart animals and love companionship. So if you can't spend alot of time you may want to have two as they need the attention and companionship weather it's human or rat. But just don't start out giving tons of time and love and drop down to none because they become very dependant on you if there is only one. Mine knows the schedule and starts jumping in his cage to the lid 30 minutes before its time to come out. And yes they can jump high. I have seen mine jump almost 2 feet high but think twice before teaching them that because it is not always a good thing.
Males will rub their gland across things and leave a trail if you don't neuter them.
If smell bothers you, and you can't afford a neuter, get a female.
Females are fun. Males are laid back, and females like to explore and run around.
The cage will cost you the most.
I personally made my cage for less than $10. Soaked hardware mesh and a recycle guinea pig cage pan = win.
Otherwise, a rat cage will run you a good $100 for a decent sized one.
You can easily train your rat to sit on your shoulder, but a female will be more apt to run back and forth around your neck. All three of my babies do.
The food is rather cheap. Lab blocks are the staple food, $2 a box at walmart or cheaper in bulk from a pet store.
Then you can give them your dinner scraps. Cooked noodles, cooked rice, cooked chicken bones, pieces of chicken or steak, vegetable. Anything they'll steal off your plate really.
Litter will cost a bit. I recommend Kaytee Soft-sorbent which is at petsmart for $16 a bag, but this bag will last you so long.
If you're not going to be home much, I recommend lots of hammocks, toys, and a friend!
Two is better than one.
I had one for so long and she became nippy from not having a friend, so I bought another and she became so sweet. I can walk around with both of them on my shoulder, offering pieces of millet spray as treats to let them know they're good girls.
I have one that'll sit in my hood and I'll walk through the store or the mall with her. ;) Secretly, of course.
They're low maintenance in that they don't require a lot of action to keep them happy, but they'll still need you to be there for them to run around on.Is a rat a good low maintance (not including attention) animal for me?
Rats do make fun pets, are pretty low maintance considering housing/bedding and food. They arnt terribly long gived, usually 3+ I believe. Personally if you do buy one I would sujjest a female, males tent to smell more and like you said mark things. Also cage cleaning as important as they can be abit messy with food and what not. I also think it really depends on the personality of the animal.. Some will probably just chill with you, other my perfer exploring rather then just sitting.
Edit.. Above me is talking about cages, but I wanted to add that at some garage sales I've seen wicked nice cages for really cheap.. So if your one of those people who don't mind looking around, that could be a really good find.
Rats are brilliant pets! Normally the males are more active, and the females more layed back. You can toilet train them. My current ones are males and they are toilet trained, and very friendly. They have to be trained to sit on your shoulder, but all you do is pick them up and place them their without leaning forward. Here is a good site:
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Train-Your-Pet-Rat%26amp;id=685747
Rats are fun pets and I recommemd that you do buy two at least. If you buy just one, you will have to give him/her lots of attention otherwise it will be lonely, and untame.
rats are great pets but just like any pet, they still need attention. they are low maintenance compared to other pets. males are actually calmer than females. i think its a great pet and yes, you can train it to chill on your shoulder but dont forget to still give it a lot of attention
I own a rat that I got as a very tiny baby. It is a male. It was supposed to be snake food for someones snake but I rescued it from them. I think I would have picked a female if I would have had a choice but I didn't. As it turns out the males are very awesome pets so I am glad I didn't have a choice. Females tend to like to wander around and do their own thing and males are more opt to spending quality time with their owners and sticking close by. My male is now huge and doesn't pee or poop when outside his cage. Rats are very cool.They need food and a nice size cage with a secure lid. But as far as money they are low maintenance. But if you want one that is shoulder trained and trained to not poop outside the cage you must be willing to spend a good amount of time with him/her to train them and get them used to you. I would start with a baby, as then you can train them for how you want your pet to be. I spend a lot of time with mine dailey. Mine has a 20 gallon aquarium but a 10 should do also. Mine comes out 3 to 4 times a day for 30 to 90 minutes each time or he gets very lonely. When I first got him I spent alot of time with him and it was very easy to train him to like being handled and kissed. He loves to run up my back and go on my shoulder or pockets voluntarily. He never poops or pees on me or my belongings and he doesn't chew my stuff but in his cage I provide a chew toy for him because rats teeth always grow and they need to have chew toys to trim them down or they grow so long they can no longer eat. When I started spending all the time with my rat I already knew I wanted and was willing to have a pet that was used to getting that much attention. Once you give them a certain amount of time a day they look forward to being with you as they are very social, smart animals and love companionship. So if you can't spend alot of time you may want to have two as they need the attention and companionship weather it's human or rat. But just don't start out giving tons of time and love and drop down to none because they become very dependant on you if there is only one. Mine knows the schedule and starts jumping in his cage to the lid 30 minutes before its time to come out. And yes they can jump high. I have seen mine jump almost 2 feet high but think twice before teaching them that because it is not always a good thing.
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