Anyone have rats?

[kbbeale]

We just adopted two female dumbo rats for our boys. I would just like some people to talk to regarding feeds, caging, taming....socializing, etc.

 

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

Ive got 7! A neutered male and 6 girlies right now. I've lost several recently to CHF, pituitary tumors, old age, etc. The most amazing rat forum is Rats Rule on Goosemoose.com. I strongly urge any new rat parents to check it out! Anything you could ever want to know about rats is on that forum!

 

[kbbeale]

Yeah, I've been reading there, but I also applied for membership like 3 days ago, and have yet to get in. I've emailed the owner, no response yet. I've never had a hard time with any other forums - dont know why I cant get into this one.

I've got some questions regarding playtime (ie, what to use to keep them confined, but yet have plenty of play fun)......I have two boys 7 and nearly 5 that really would enjoy them more if I could have a larger play area. I'm thinking a big under the bed storage container with litter and lots of toys - but I think they could crawl out???

Also, tips on socializing? The girls are still timid and not anxious to come out of the cage. We have been trying to tempt them with treats and such, and they are very curious...

Kristen

 

[theOEGBman]

I've got 3 adults and 10 new babies! Soon to be 3 adults again. Yum, rat babies.

 

[Kanchii]

Quote:
oooo that litter is for snakey tummies, eh? *cornelius opens his mouth wide*

I've had rats since I was 5.

How old are your new rats? Try starting with two 15 minute sessions a day for a week, bumped up to two 30 minute sessions a day. Be calm and cuddly with them, offer them small healthy treats like raises, peices of blue berry, banana, almonds, ect. Don't pick them up every time you put your hand i nthe cage. Throughout the day just reach in there, rub behind their ears a bit, offer a treat, then leave them alone for a while.

 

[kbbeale]

Well, not 100% sure on their ages - but estimated around 2/3 months. We havent been messing with them all that much, taking them out a time or two - and like you said we have been opening the cage frequently and scratching heads, behind ears, etc.

Kristen

 

[RachelFromTheBlackLagoon]

Welllll playtime all depends on what you're comfortable with. I take a sheet or blanket that I don't mind using for rat stuff, spread it out on my bed and do playtime there. I set up all kinds of tunnels and hide-outs (cardboard boxes with doors cut out and lengths of dryer hose, PVC pipes or large cardboard tubes work great). Some of my rats love playing with those feather cat toys on a stick, some ignored them. They also like the jingly ball cat toys. Hiding treats for them is always great during playtime (baby carrots, peas, etc).

As for socializing, using treats is a good way to do it. I've found that it's best to allow them to trust you on their own terms rather than force them. It may take a while but some come around very quickly. They all have their own little personalities. I like to put my hand out flat with a treat in my palm and just hold my hand in the cage. Eventually they'll get comfortable enough to take it. Do this a few times a day or just sit and talk to them. Eventually you can put something like baby food in the palm of your hand (never use peanut butter as rats have no gag reflex and can easily choke on it) and they'll have to sit there and lick it off. Talk to them softly while they do this. Eventually they'll anticipate treats whenever they see you and will come to really enjoy your presence! It's not uncommon for them to "taste" or gently nibble a figertip, generally they realize that it's not food and stop after the first nibble. However if they don't stop, you can make a high pitched squeak sound, which is what their littermates would do if play became too rough.

One thing I would STRONGLY advise against is feeding treats through the cage bars or sticking fingers in the cage bars. Rats will often grab whatever is coming through pretty hard with their teeth, thinking it's food. Rat bites HURT!

 

[gritsar]

My DD had two pet rats, Bubonic and Scooter. Best pets she ever had! They were really the entire family's pets.
They weren't designer rats, just plain ol' brown rats sold as snake food.
For playtime we spread an old blanket on the living room floor and they learned to stay on the blanket and even housebroke. They would go back to the cage when they need to use the bathroom.
Enjoy your new pets!

 

[kbbeale]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! What I'm really wanting is something like an under the bed storage box where they could have a large area to play (even a baby pool would work).......but I want to make sure they cant get out, so they can have playtime, but then also be safe at the same time. Hmmm.

Someone recommended a Martins playpen, but to me that was just a big wire cage a didnt look fun at all. I wonder how deep a plastic storage box would need to be to keep them contained?

Kristen

 

[Goat_Walker]

I have two, Rats are the best pets EVER!