Joined
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191 Posts
Hi everyone,
I'm completely new to this forum and new to owning a rat, so bear with me. I am very interested in owning a rat and I have a lot of questions! Keep in mind that most of my experiences with rats are from how they were kept at the humane society I used to work at.
1.) I see many people have wire cages, but at the Humane Society we always used glass terrariums. Personally, I think a terrarium is easier to clean and looks better. I was thinking a 20 Gallon (long) for 2 rats... any comments?
2.) As far as bedding goes, I know not to use Cedar. But what's the difference between aspen and pine bedding and is one better or worse than the other?
3.) I would have liked to get a male and have it neutered, but I am a poor, broke college student and the price quotes I have been getting for neutering a rat is "a couple hundred" (which is far beyond my budget). I mean, if the difference between getting a female and a neutered male is $5 or $205, that's huge for me. I was planning on getting 2 females. Any comments? How expensive was it for you to neuter males?
4.) Someone suggested the paper from your paper shredder as bedding, which I remember we used for rabbit litter pans at the second humane society I worked at. Is this ok? Aren't most inks AP nontoxic?
5.) Do rats like to chew on paper towel rolls like hamsters do?
6.) Anything else a beginner like me has to take into consideration? I'm so afraid of doing something dumb and hurting my rats!
Thanks for all your help!!!
I'm completely new to this forum and new to owning a rat, so bear with me. I am very interested in owning a rat and I have a lot of questions! Keep in mind that most of my experiences with rats are from how they were kept at the humane society I used to work at.
1.) I see many people have wire cages, but at the Humane Society we always used glass terrariums. Personally, I think a terrarium is easier to clean and looks better. I was thinking a 20 Gallon (long) for 2 rats... any comments?
2.) As far as bedding goes, I know not to use Cedar. But what's the difference between aspen and pine bedding and is one better or worse than the other?
3.) I would have liked to get a male and have it neutered, but I am a poor, broke college student and the price quotes I have been getting for neutering a rat is "a couple hundred" (which is far beyond my budget). I mean, if the difference between getting a female and a neutered male is $5 or $205, that's huge for me. I was planning on getting 2 females. Any comments? How expensive was it for you to neuter males?
4.) Someone suggested the paper from your paper shredder as bedding, which I remember we used for rabbit litter pans at the second humane society I worked at. Is this ok? Aren't most inks AP nontoxic?
5.) Do rats like to chew on paper towel rolls like hamsters do?
6.) Anything else a beginner like me has to take into consideration? I'm so afraid of doing something dumb and hurting my rats!
Thanks for all your help!!!