Looking after Pet Rats?

Hi, I am looking to get two young female pet rats in the next couple of weeks. But I don't want to get them from a pet shop, does anyone know if there are any repituable rat breeders based in or around North London?





Any other tips people want to give me about looking after pet rats would be great too!





Thanks,Looking after Pet Rats?
good choice getting rats btw.





Supplies from pet store...


WIRE CAGE- rats do better in a wire cage. they supply more ventilation and the bars provide a jungle gym for your rats to clime on. This is the cage I have...


http://www.bizrate.com/morepetsupplies/o鈥?/a>


I got mine at petsmart. I took out the wheel. It didn't cost too much. I cannot remember the exact price.


BEDDING- please don't get cider bedding. Rats have sensitive respiratory systems and the saw dust that ceder bedding creates is harmful for rats to breath in. I am not completely sure whether or not pine bedding is also bad. I think it is. so just to be safe please get paper based bedding. Besides paper bedding works better anyway.


FOOD- the blocked food similar to this


http://76.162.70.212/images/2016.jpg


and supplement it with some of the mixed grain food that looks similar to bird seed. (but isn't)


FOOD BOWL- most rat cages come with food bowls. (mine did) but if you get a different cage and it doesn't come with one, get tough heavy one so it cant be tipped or chewed.


WATER BOTTLE- get a strong water bottle that cannot be chewed. Glass ones work best. I have the ';6 oz Chew proof water bottle'; made by super pet. It is made from a tough glass and doesn't leak.


TREATS- not mandatory to get. But rats love treats. You can buy some or give them stuff at home. You can give them dog bones, unbuttered popcorn, (buttered is ok, but unbuttered it healthier), and cheerios. My guys love cheerios!


Also at petsmart you can buy yogert drops. My rats love those too!





i am not sure about breeders. so here is a google search that i did... http://www.google.com/search?hl=en%26amp;clien鈥?/a>


there is nothing wrong with getting a rat from a pet shop. just make sure it is a clean, ';trustworthy'; place and all of its animals look healthy and happy.





here is a really good web site...


http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm





HOPE THIS HELPS


*runnergirl*Looking after Pet Rats?
We have had pet rats for years, both sexes, and they are brilliant pets. My daughter has two males at the moment, about 4months old and is training them to do tricks. They can fetch a little ball, stand on their hind legs, early days yet though!!!!! They say that rats from pet shops are taken away from their mums too early and that makes them very skittish, but plenty of handling will cure that. Also their cages need to be free of their urine smell as this can give them problems with breathing and wheeziness. Female rats do have a tendency in later life for mammary tumours, but then bloke rats can get it in their testicles as well, so its something to look for as they get older. But for all that they are great pets and very intelligent.Good luck and enjoy them.
i have bought 2 rats from a pet store and i have never had a problem with them. they have been the best rats i have ever known.





its best if you always go into the pet store and know the person that runs it personally. i got a male when he was a baby in February and i just got a female 2 weeks ago and plan on breeding them.
Hi most of my eight males are from petshops and no less tame than the others the only one needing a neuter for aggression, was from a breeder, but that can happen anyhow, anytime any rat....my favourite petshop boy, an agouti didn't grow much, is very very tame up to the point he follows me outside into the garden and comes back when I say COME BACk, sometimes I say are you coming and he jumps into my coat and he just never fails to amaze me, Imine all come to their individual names, and FREERANGE in my living room, and when I say ''Right everybody in now'' they all go straight back into their cage, THEY ABSOLUTELY THRIVE on attention, a tip to stop young rats from being skittish is to start with a small, cage, and move them into a big one once they can be handled - picked up - don't let them go on the floor until they are tame and come to you...otherwise its on hands and knees to catch them....PLEASE don't put youngsters in a huge cage the DO get frightened and its hard to catch %26amp; tame, they truly are wonderful pets, and very rewarding,
I have two male rats, they are lovely. I have also owned two female rats too. They are the best pet you can have, they are so funny. They like lots of human contact so get them out lots and lots. I get mine out 3 to 4 hours every day, i have made them a big cardboard box run and they love it. Here is a good site http://www.dapper.com.au/ on how to look after rats etc... there is also some really good ideas for toys etc... to make them. Enjoy your rats.
i used to have pet rats, iv'e got a good tip for you, sometimes feed them sweetcorn they absolutly love it.
Try adverts on GUMTREE pets section
use ecopet bedding.


and look on preloved.