Small Animal Community / Critters Community / Rats

Suddenly sluggish rat, help!

Jlo74 — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 05:47:17 GMT

We have had a rat for about 3-4 weeks now. The woman who gave him to us said he was about a year old.
At first he was very active, running everywhere, climbing on us, loved to take his treats and eat on the couch. But about 3 days ago he stopped being so active and last night he didn't do more than a slow, sluggish walk to a pillow close to his cage. He only ate about half the apple piece we gave him and then he slept. He did move to get water once, very slowly. He squeaks sometimes when we pick him up so it seems he may be in a little pain but I can't figure out from where.
Please help! We've never had a rat before!

HELP! with rats.

rattymom — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:02:50 GMT

Hello, I'm new on this site and needing some help with my rats. Me and my fiancé are first time rat owners and all the information we have read has been through the internet, we bought our two rats 6 weeks ago from Pets At Home pet store, The staff member there had told us that they were two male dumbo rats (witch is what we were hoping to get) but it has turned out there female and 5-6 months old and don't seem to be anything like a dumbo rats. We are finding that they are sleeping a lot more than the information we have read that they should be. They seem to be very skittery around us and won't come or take treats from us. We have found that they seem to become very destressed if around human company. Does anyone have advice on what we could do and try to help them trust us and bond with us?

health for rats

Kerrylever — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 01:35:56 GMT

I find a male rat on the main road he is a white albino and very skinny and sneezing and he has a lot of lies on him we wound love to keep him but I don't what him to give the lies to my guinea pig. I only have guinea pig food for him. I have tryed to wash him to get the most of the lies off.

Ferret Treats for Pet Rats

kjym — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 16:02:42 GMT

I have to pet boys rats. I was wondering it Marshall's bandit ferret treats are good to feed my boy rats? I got Meaty Bacon, Chicken, Peanut Butter, Banana, Raisin, and tater control.

Help finding rats =)

Jimothy — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:57:02 GMT

Well I would like to add more animals to my ever growing family. I've had hamsters, gerbils, dwarf hamsters etc and I did a lot of reading up on Rats and would love to give 4 or 5 female rats a wonderful life with me.

I don't have any good petstores around here except for petland/petco and I don't want to buy from them. I would rather go to a local breeder or small mom and pop shop. I want to get them as little as possible or from the same litter. I really like the different colored ones and not so much the white ones.

Any help on where I should go?

I'm Adding A New Member To My Rat Family! Check Him Out! Isn't He CUTE!

The_Rat_Whisperer — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:35:18 GMT

I am getting a baby rat named Marshmallow from a breeder next week. Here is his pic. He is a Platinum Dumbo! I am SO excited!

No place like home

Yukari_Angel — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:11:21 GMT

Anyone else here have fun decorating the rats' cage? Decorating is one of my favorite parts of cleaning day, right after watching the ratties enjoying their clean enclosure (and of course cleaning is my least favorite part of cleaning day?) How do you decorate your rats' cage? Post pictures and show off your decorative skills and your ratties' appreciation.

And to get this topic started, here is my girls cage: It is a Ferret Nation 142 and is the absolute most easiest cage to clean in the world! I currently have four girls living in this cage but this cage is big enough for 10 rats.

Can't wait to see everyone else's cages and ratties :3

Cats and Rats?

Lepr3chuan — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:21:55 GMT

Later this week, I will be picking up two "dumbo" rats that my friend had to give up because hes going to college (yay!) At home, I have two cats that are both over two years old (ones a tabby shorthair and ones a ragdoll). Anyways, I've seen many instances of them living together side by side like a dog and a cat would- is this possible? And if so, is there a specific way I should introduce them? I can always keep them seperate if need be.

Litter training

kikizz123 — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:29:33 GMT

Thank you for those who have replied!

My rat had 10 pups today

Chibisaur — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:24:10 GMT

I recently bought my first pet rat Lillie on Jan 2. I noticed recently she had been becoming extra fat and I couldn't figure out why. Well today she gave birthday to 10 pups. That was not what I expected at all. I'm not really too sure how to take care of the pups. I am a certified animal care technician, but I have never worked with pups before. I foundering if anyone could give me any good tips or advice as to what general care they need until I have to remove them and should I make a compliant to the pet store for having male and female rats together in the same cage?

My Rat is a nibbler help!

tinychocolatemoose — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:30:06 GMT

I just got two rats about four days ago, they are still very small and young and I am trying to handle them a lot to make sure they are tame and friendly. I handled them yesterday and they were perfect, they were very cuddly and energetic. Today I was playing with my smallest and she was getting into the habit of grazing my fingers, she never bit down. I would tap her on the head she she did it so she would stop but she continued to graze on my fingers for the rest of playtime even though I encouraged her with the tap to stop. Is there any way to start teaching my rats what is food and what are fingers so that she does not make this a habit. I do not mind the grazing, I just don't want it to turn into biting.

I love my rat

xBanditx — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:59:55 GMT

I love my rattie!

He is so cute and sweet!

He is awesome too!

He knows how to do tricks and stuffz

~Ashley

Rat vet cost

BrownEyedGirl — Wed, 20 May 2009 10:08:46 GMT

Okay, so I went to the vet today because my rat, Miss.Ginger has been sneezing a lot lately(we got 2 meds,Boxycycline and something with an M that taste like fruit and G loves it and they said she needs to get spayed in about 3 or 4 weeks, we were gonna get her spayed anyways, and they said it would be 240 dollars for the spaying,the exotic creature fee, and the pain meds to take home. Okay so is 240 bux normal or more or less?? Me and my mom would love to hear if its normal or not. Well, thanks anyways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BrownEyedGirl

What kind of rat do ya have?

i_luv_myratties — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:23:14 GMT

Hi I'm new...i have 2 little ratties April and May. they are both girls with a white belly and black backs. May has a little dot of white on her head. i got them 2 weeks ago so how old is your rat, name, age etc.....

just curious!

Hello new here

xXChristopherXx — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:06:04 GMT

My name is Christopher,I am 13 years old.I am thinking of getting a pet rat.I know people say to get two but i am afraid they might fight,especially if they are males.I would like to ask a few questions.Before i ask,i know a bit of info about rats,since i have been researching on them like for a......year or so.Reason i never got any is because i got hamsters instead,which i don't have anymore (died from old age).

1.What type of cage would you recommend for a rat? Unsure about this.

2.What is the best food in the U.S for rats?

3.My older sister's boyfriend is going to get me a baby rat from a breeder,but he said he can get them dirt cheap (whatever that means)which i am a bit worried about the dirt cheap part,he said they will be well socialized though,Should i trust him or just get from petsmart?

Thinking of getting this cage: http://www.amazon.com/Super-Pet-First-Exotics-Large/dp/B000TZ5BRI/ref=sr_1_24?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1316489370&sr=1-24&tag=5336653623-20

Thanks,

~Chris~

Fleece or Similar Material as Bedding?

Syntherea — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:09:12 GMT

I read on another website about people using sections of fleece in their guinea pig cages. I thought about doing so for my dwarf hamsters but as soon as I thought about it, I remembered their need to dig and burrow.

I understand that rats like to as well, but I was wondering if it was wise or good for the rat if I were to use fleece or a similar material as their bedding, taking it out every few days to wash it and cleaning up poo daily.

It seems like a nice, eco-friendly and cheap way to keep soft bedding in your rats cage.

Cancer in rats

Snuggles — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 20:35:05 GMT

Have you ever had a pet rat die from cancer post your answer!

Rats -- household convincing

leenybean — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:10:33 GMT

...because I'm not allowed to have a pet and really need some outside sources to help convince the rest of my household. Rats are awesome and intelligent, and sweet, yet I simply cannot seem to be able to convince the people I live with to allow me to get one.. any ideas on convincing tactics?

How many rats do you have?

Animal Lover XOXO — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:12:08 GMT

Hey everyone! I've got four sweet girls. How about YOU?

mites or lice

zoofew — Tue, 25 May 2010 04:26:51 GMT

my rats have lice or mite i dotn know. i dont wan tto use ivermectin because their only 6-5 weeks old. is there any spray or shamppoo that i can use? or a house hold remedy?

Rat lifespan

Snuggles — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 20:45:15 GMT

How long did your rat live for? Please take this quiz to to tell me and other people how long your rat lived for.

Rat needs a home

ratfink — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:26:02 GMT

This was forwarded to me from Niagara Action for Animals: Dear friends of animals - long time supporter Marylou is asking for help with re-homing a young male rat. Marylou wrote: "His destiny was for snake food. My son took him so that wouldn't happen but he can't find a home and if he takes him to the pet store he may end up as dinner. He's friendly and handles easily."

We are in the Niagara Falls Region in Ontario Canada.
If anyone wants to give this young boy a forever home please contact me sspeck(at)cogeco.ca and I can give you the information to contact Marylou.

I can't take him.
I have an older female rat who is also blind. she would not be happy to have a young boy in her home.

What kind of Rat are the best??

BrownEyedGirl — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:04:09 GMT

Hi everyone!! What kind of Rat do you have? What kind of Rat would you like? what kind of Rat are the cutest?? Here is what I think.

What kind or Rat do you have? None but I am getting one this month!
What kind of Rat would you like? Siamese
What Rat is the cutest? Siamese

Post your comments here!!

Am I doing ok?

flyingstupid — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:47:57 GMT

I just recently adopted my new pet rat. She a single rat ( I will be getting her a cage mate soon ). I am still teaching her name and to come when called. mostly I have just been spending time with her out of her cage climbing all over me or on my bed. How can I tell that she is actually enjoying herself with me outside of her cage and not just freaking out?

will adopt or buy any rats nyc

zoofew — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 15:06:05 GMT

I will take adopt/buy any rat in nyc. have any litters cant keep? cant keep a rat any more? i will take them? also small ratteries i am intrested!
i am especially intrested in blaze males.

Introducing Rats To Each Other

kk4jas — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:29:05 GMT

I have a rat that is about 4 mo and i got 2 more that are 4mo and 1 that is 2mo all females when i tried to introduce them to my first rat she is mean to them and turns them over and like sniffs them and is very rough to them and it makes them scaired and the cower for a long time. Any Ideas?

My rat bit my other rat

BrownEyedGirl — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:35:32 GMT

Okay, so I gave both my rats a treat Ginger is 6 months and larger then my 2 month old rat, Ginger finished her treat first and decided she wanted more so she ran to June(my baby) and tried to get her treat but June wouldn't give it to her. 2 seconds later I hear screeching and Ginger runs out of the igloo with June's treat.(This happened yesterday). I checked on June and she appeared to be okay and wanted to be played with. The next day(today) I checked on her and she has a scab on her thy!!!I am kinda mad at ginger, but my mom says it's normal for rattie to do that. Should I do anything??

Socializing new rats

feathers50 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:00:06 GMT

I just acquired 2 little female rats, a little less than half grown. I've been trying to tame them, but they don't seem to want to be handled and run away from me. I pick them up anyway, but one of them nipped me the other day. I've been giving them treats by hand and they accept those okay. They just don't want to be picked up. What's the best way to tame a rat? I don't want to make matters worse.

Rattery Huntsville, AL

StrickLeeRats — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 14:49:01 GMT

I wanted to introduce my critters and say hello. My name is Lee Stricklin and StrickLeeRats is a relatively new rattery in the Alabama area and one of the only ones for 200 mi. in many directions. I have people visit me from ATL, MS, and TN all the time. It is very exciting to be apart ofthis [SE] state rapidly becoming rat loversas they discover their wonderful personalities along withme! I would loveto have you visit mysite and become a member of my yahoo group when you have the time.

Lee

Multiple types of pets

Ferrets Moderator — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:45:38 GMT

Have you owned several types of small animal pets? If so, which one turned out to be the best pet for you? Why?

First Rat

BrownEyedGirl — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:19:00 GMT

Hi! I am going to get my first rat. I need help. I think I am going to get a Siamese Rat. What do I need? How do I take care of it. PLEASE HELP!!!!

Thanks

Are Male Or Female Rats More Subject To Getting Tumors??

The_Rat_Whisperer — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:58:49 GMT

I heard that females get tumors more than males. Is that true? Or do both of sexes get tumors just as much? I have had females get them mostly.

What kind of Rat do you like?

BrownEyedGirl — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:34:30 GMT

Hello. For more rat species please visit www.wikifur.com

My ratties toys

Araty — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:50:01 GMT

my little ones love the practice golfballs (plastic with holes) they carry them all around, gather them up in a bowl or corner when done. They like the little cat balls with the bells inside. crystal light containers make great tunnels to hang on the cage with zip ties. Baskets to sleep in and chew, boxes of all sizes to run thru, hide in. they also enjoy an empty lemonade container filled with balled up newspaper, shredded paper, paper towels, all with treats inside. yogurt drops, teddy grahams, peas, dog biscuts, and grapes. They never know what they will find in their treasure hunt!

Tank Accessories

Sporelett — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:19:02 GMT

I live in a house with 4 cats, and though I'd like to get another pet, I worry about the cats reaching through the bars and injuring the animals inside. I'd like to get an aquarium, if I can find one big enough, but I cant find any accessories that would make a tank an interesting place to be. Most pet accessories come with hooks to hang on cage walls or ceilings, but they can't attach to the glass or mesh of aquariums.

Does anyone know of typical enrichment items that can be placed without wire walls, like a water bottle with a suction cup, or a shelf that could be set-up inside the aquarium to provide another level?

Pine Bedding Bad for Rats Health?

Chibisaur — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:11:38 GMT

Recently I got my very first rat named Lillie. I bought Pine bedding because it looked to be something comfy for her to lay on and to keep order down. After I got home and got online I read that pine bedding can be bad for their health, cause asthma and allergies.

Is this true that pine and even ceder bedding could be harmful? If so, could anyone suggest me a good brand of bedding I could use that is safe, but comfy for my little Lillie?

Repti Bark for Rats?

Darth Scohin — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:12:04 GMT

I like the look of Repti-Bark and was wondering if it is safe for Rats?

Thanks

Eco-Bedding, Carefresh, or wood shavings?

goerndta — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:02:46 GMT

I've only ever used aspen wood shavings (never cedar or pine) for my rats and mice. I've never had any problems with it. I've considered changing to Eco-Beddig or Carefresh. I've heard that these two beddings provide better enrichment than wood shavings. Does anyone have any information on cost comparison, enrichment, and safety for these products?

Thanks!

Angela ~">

best place to keep my rats

conniemae — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:00:09 GMT

I need some advice,am new to haveing rats.Right now my five rats are in a wirecage,am thinking of getting a fishtank to put them in .The reason being my apartment gets cold in the winter and am thinking they wouldn,t be able to chew on the cord of a heating lamp unless there are cordless ones. Which is better ,wire cage,or fishtank?