SO FAR, SO GOOD - SMELLY HAMMOCK! NOT SO SMELLY RATS!

[jabaz1963]

Hi everyone. Firstly, a big thank you to all of you who replied with your suggestions on my girls' smelly wee problem.

I have implemented most of your suggestions in one way or another. The first thing I did last night was move the cage to the conservatory which is a bit more airy and, although I have cleaned out everything inside several times in the week I've had them, this time I wash down the wire bars too.

I have also bought some Reggie Rat mixed feed which they seem to like. I am not giving them raisins or seeds at the moment and will introduce these (in moderation) once I am sure the pong has been sorted.

ALSO, I can't believe this as I though ratties were meant to be v clean, but I took their hammock out which I got for them just 4 days ago and where they sleep most of the time and could not believe how bad it smelt! I had put a little of the shredded tissue in there for cosiness and they had wee'd in it! Mucky little mares! So I have aced this and gone back to my hand made hammock which I made out of an old T-shirt and which they don't seem to soil. The hammock was only a 2 berth but all three slept in it so I wonder if they did not want to get out to go to the ladies in case they lost their cosy spot! LOL!

So far all of your suggestions have really helped so thank you all again so much and I hope all our posts on the subject may help anyone else who has a whiff!

Jane x

[ration1802]

I, personally, would switch back to the PAH Nuggets or if you can get your hands on some, some Excel SupaRat. They are much much better than Reggie Rat and disallow selective feeding

Lets hope now you know what's causing the pong it won't bother you so much later lol you'll be a hardened anti-whiff veteran in no time :lol:

[A1APassion]

ahhhh... you discovered rat marinating

yup... they will perfume each other with their special brand of cologne... especially where they sleep. It is a community bonding thing since smell is SOOOOOOO important to the way the identify with familiarity/family/home

Rats piddle everywhere they go & on everyone they know

[jabaz1963]

I see what you mean about the selective eating thing - I still have the nuggets so I will probably do a bit of each and see how they go.

Martinated Rat! Sounds like something for the BBQ!

Anyway, fingers crossed I have them sussed

By the way, this rat keeping malarky is expensive! I popped into Pets at Home earlier and spent £18.44! on rat toys and this was after I put back the rope ladder and the fun hanging ladder thingy! These will have to wait for the next shopping expedition

[ration1802]

Lol £18.44? Is that all?

I go into that place and swear I ever spend less than £30. O.o - hence why I don't go too often!

The real place to look for cheap toys etc is online - there are tons of websites with really good prices for toys etc. If you're ever interested - I have loads saved to my favourites so just PM me and I'll send you the links lol

[ledzepgirl16]

Rats piddle everywhere they go & on everyone they know

LoL, how true!

[A1APassion]

Lol £18.44? Is that all?

I go into that place and swear I ever spend less than £30. O.o - hence why I don't go too often!

The real place to look for cheap toys etc is online - there are tons of websites with really good prices for toys etc. If you're ever interested - I have loads saved to my favourites so just PM me and I'll send you the links lol

Do you have resale shops or these discount stores that sell cleaning goods, paper supplies & various cheap household goods & kids toys?

I have found that I hit these types of stores I can find some really fabulous items for the rats. We have one chain over here that is is called "Everything's a Dollar". I go in there & find those glue down floor tiles in pretty patterns so that I can cover wire floors & those dreader pee-gutter types trays. I can pick up a big bag of those hard plastic whiffle balls that I stuff full of treats. I've found so many kid toys that the rats go nut for.

The resale shops such as Goodwill, Salvation Army & 100's of other privately owned places are a goldmine for items. One lady has offered to bag up old t-shirts for me if they are not fit for sale. Last time I went there she had a huge plastic bag full & only charged me a dollar for it.

If you want to avoid spending big bucks... avoid the obvious locations where they sell pet stuff.

[ration1802]

We have pound stores and cheapo shops .. but if you're looking for specific 'rat toys' rather than make-your-owns it costs a bomb.

I usually go along the make-your-own route .. I've got a conservatory full of junk store goodies lol. But for things like wheels etc .. definately best to shop online vs pet shops, else you'll get ripped off upto the eyeballs

[jabaz1963]

Dear Ration and Passion. Yes, I'll definitely try either the £1 shops we have over here or try to be imaginitive and make my own toys for the girls! Someone suggested plaiting ropes out of cut up strips of old t-shirts so my 7 year old and I are going to give it a try this evening!

By the way, I just got told off by someone from Indiana because I've been putting my headings in capital letters. I understand capitals should only be used for emergencies so am sorry if I've done wrong on this front. You two in particular have been really kind and I'm so grateful for your advice so far which has proved very helpful. You are obviously seasoned rat keepers. Thank again, Jane

[ration1802]

Try Wilko's, Homebase, B&Q (heck, even Tescos, Sainsbury's and Asda). If you walk around with your 'rat head' on, soon everything you see will be "ooo THIS will make a great toy!" or "omg THIS is just what they can use as a house.." LOL

My mum and sister are fed up with me when I go shopping with them. I must forget to take my 'rat head' off LOL