Can rats be let outside?

[sred98]

I would take mine outside to play with me all the time when I was younger. I would worry more about other animals than your rat. Mine would always come when called and just liked to hang out, but there were always snakes, dogs, cats, and large birds wanting to eat them.

I really don't think it would be any different than closely supervising free range chickens. Just make sure they didn't overheat.

I had a rat once that accidentally got lost outside. I searched all over, called her, nothing!!!

Finally found her a few hours later, after dark, near the coop where I had lost her, in some plastic tarp, basically catatonic. It took her about 2 hours before she would start moving again. You could set her upright, then just push her over and she would stay there with her legs straight out. It was the craziest thing I had ever seen!!!

I think she was absolutely petrified that she had been left outside. This was the middle of summer, too, so she wasn't too cold. She never left my shoulder again when she was outside! LOL!

I wouldn't worry about the breeze, but give her a box (like the ones you bring them home from petshops in) so she can get out of the breeze and/or sun. They are pretty much like we are...if it's too cold/hot/wet/windy for us, then it is for them, too!

Shelly

 

[what eggs]

My rats have played in the yard supervised for years and also have been outside for hours at a time in a cage. Using leftover 2x4's and wire mesh we built a large 4 sided mesh outdoor cage with a top that fits like a shoe box lid.
In the cage are hammocks, a hollow log hide thing, pine cones, dry leaves, sticks, climbing ladder and a litter pan filled with dirt for them to dig in. Ice cubes in the water bottle help keep the water cool and some food in a heavy bowl. Usually the cage is in half sun/shade but if it is moved to a sunny location there is a section of shade cloth to wrap half of it up in.
Our lawn is chemical free also and the plants they get their paws on are grass, dandielions(sp) and clover that and the occasional bug. If you have plants you are unsure of can you pull them out or put the cage on or insert something solid like heavy cardboard or a half sheet of plywood so the rats cannot reach the plants?

My girls were out yesterday for the first time this spring and went nuts, I actually had to bribe a couple with treats to get them to come to me when it was time to go in. *mental note next cage do not make height higher than I can reach down*

 

[Whispering Winds]

Quote:
I have two pet rats, both black and we love them, and I wondering how I could take them outside for a while and let them play. . .we had a friend who had an iguana, and his dad built him a kick butt cage around a tree that was along side their house, and he stayed out there all summer and was happy as a lark in his outside cage. thanks for this ?, as it was a BIG help!!!

 

[Goat_Walker]

Ive posted elsewhere on the medical section, but I need help! one of my females is sick, and I dont know what to do.
I believe the sickness starts with an 'M'.
When I went to pick her up she was all ruffled and cold
she has red mucus coming from her nose and eyes
her eyes are watery and a little sunken
What can I do?!
Vet isnt an option right now, parents wont let me pay $20 at the vet for an $8 rat. Money isnt the issue , we have it, they just wont take me so I can use it.


( They havent been outside by the way )

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Mycoplasma - http://www.80stoysale.com/ratsickness.html#mycoplasma

 

[Goat_Walker]

Thank you!

 

[Chicky Tocks]

You're very welcome. I hope that you're able to get your baby well.
My son had a hairless rat (Mortimor) and I became so attached to that little guy. He thought he was a dog.