The shelves need to be covered if they are metal. Just wipe down the plastic shelves daily.

Rats new home sneezing if very common and can last for a few weeks. If you are really worries give them some honey in their water or on a treat.

The bedding I use is fleece. Aspen bedding is safe no other wood bedding is. Paper bedding is safe to unscented.

They should have lots of toys but you can collect toys as you have the money to. Dollar stores have all kinds if things you can use as toys.

The bet food is oxbow rat food you can get it for young rats under 4 months its call mouse and young rat food and after that you can get the adult rat food. It's 15 dollars here for a 3 pound bag and lasts my four girls a month.


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Thank you very much. I'm feeling a little less overwhelmed but... well, I just came back downstairs from trying to play with my rats and it didn't turn out so good... I lifted the top of the cage off and gently lifted each rat from the cage and placed him on the floor. While I was picking up Griffin, he tried to squirm free, just like any new rat would, but he then turned and tried to bite me. At least that's what it looked like but he didn't get me. Phew!!! After that, they explored around, leaving poop EVERYWHERE along with pee. I then attempted to put them back in their cage but it took around fifteen minutes to get Fletcher out from underneath my bed and back in the cage. Altogether, the situation was very stressful, probably for me and the rats both. I think I'm going to start trust-training. I definitely see why people recommend trust-training and I want to try, but I don't know what I should try using as treats. I have already tried dry pasta but they don't seem to like it, the just grab it and put it down.

 

Altogether, the situation was very stressful, probably for me and the rats both. I think I'm going to start trust-training. I definitely see why people recommend trust-training and I want to try, but I don't know what I should try using as treats. I have already tried dry pasta but they don't seem to like it, the just grab it and put it down.

Sorry you had a rough time. For treats, try dry cereals. They're easy and something like rice krispie is nice and small so you can give em a bunch. If they don't respond to that, try carrots or dog kibble. Not-sweet Chex is another fave of ours. They will sit and gnaw on dry pasta in their cage but it's just no attractive enough outside. *Cooked* pasta, though... they love that stuff. Pretty much any warm food has been a hit so far.

By all means, trust-train away! It's not for problem animals exclusively or anything like that, but rather a general strategy for getting your pet socialized to you. You said your rats come take food from your hand, so they aren't even close to being "problem cases". They sound like your average petshop rats, really. How long have you had them?

EDIT: read what you were saying about them getting under the bed and having to chase after them... can you block off a hallway, or set a blanket on a dining table? Gotta find somewhere they are free to go where they want (they'll do this no matter what) that they can't get into trouble. We used a few cardboard boxes cut open and taped in a big strip to block off the living room or hallway. They will feel free enough to explore once you're not having to constantly stop them from going to no-no places. I bet it would be frustrating to be sitting on the floor, with all these neat hiding places around that a giant hand inexplicably tries to stop you from looking at.

 

Have you tried immersion? THere's a guide on it in the rat behavior section. You basically establish yourself as the alpha rat. Rats in the wild are led by an alpha, and by becoming their alpha, they trust you much more and feel confident around you. As for the hiding under the bed, my rats do that too at the end of free range. Try luring them out with a treat- peas make a good healthy treat and they love them. While you're still establishing a good relationship with your rats, a bathroom makes a good free range area. It's generally small enough that you don't need to worry about being unable to find them. When you guys get used to each other, they can graduate to a bedroom or other bigger area. About bringing them back to the store- don't! I see no reason why, with a little information, you can be a wonderful rat owner and give your boys a great life.

 

read what you were saying about them getting under the bed and having to chase after them... can you block off a hallway, or set a blanket on a dining table? Gotta find somewhere they are free to go where they want (they'll do this no matter what) that they can't get into trouble. We used a few cardboard boxes cut open and taped in a big strip to block off the living room or hallway. They will feel free enough to explore once you're not having to constantly stop them from going to no-no places. I bet it would be frustrating to be sitting on the floor, with all these neat hiding places around that a giant hand inexplicably tries to stop you from looking at. Thanks for the tips and yes, I should probably find a better place to let them roam than my bedroom. The best place in my house would probably be the basement though. I wish I could let them roam in my bedroom... my mom hates messes (not animal poo but in general lol) and she really isn't sure what she thinks of the rats yet. She would probably freak if she came home one day and there was a blanket set up on the table with rats running around and poop everywhere. I also have 3 siblings, all younger than me, and all the bedrooms in the house are on the second floor (where the only suitable hallway is). I couldn't do it down stairs in the kitchen, living room, or dining rooms because of my mom as I said earlier (she might let me do it in the kitchen when she warms up to the thought rats, but usually she is cleaning in there), so the only place left is the basement. The only problem down there is that it is very, very large and open. There is a bed for a sort of spare bedroom for company, a reclining chair and TV mounted on the wall for sports games when we have company, a Ping-Pong table, and a tread-mill/ little workout area, and in the back of the basement there is a whole lot of nothing. I would probably need to vacuum after every session though because the whole basement is finished and has carpet. All I'm saying is that it would take a LOT of boxes and even more time, but I'm willing to do it for the love of my babies. and I don't know how to get this Quote thing to work???

 

Thank you very much Mouse! Ill check out the post. Oh and I didn't even think of the bathroom, that would be a great place!!! Thank you, that was very helpful!

 

How about a rat-specific blanket on the ping-pong table? Also, the cardboard wall would work down there, it seems. It sounds like you've got space... could you get one of those hard plastic kiddie pools? You could just set that on the table, and they can play in there with blankets and toys and whatnot. The mess also stays in a nice easy-to-hose container that your mom might appreciate.

The bathroom is a fantastic place to let them roam... but you might have more fun in the basement

 

1. The sneezing is normal for new rats. Some might do it longer than the other or not at all. I just got two new *feeder* rats a couple months ago and one never sneezed and the other sneezed all the time for a while! She doesnt sneeze anymore except when I take her out and she gets a little nervous its very cute actually hehe.
2. The cage looks pretty good. The reason people cover with felt is because wire cages are too hard on feet but if your shelves are solid they will be fine. I have the petco rat manor and I just put a sheet of cardstock paper over the wire so they dont walk on it (I cant afford to buy felt all the time and I dont want to ruin the washer washing stuff like that in it and making it smell) and it works just great..that way i can throw it out and put a new piece down every time I clean the cage.
3. For bedding I use the petco softwood bedding. I think people over exagurate using wood shavings. Its not necassarily "toxic" to rats but its not healthy for them to live in it all the time because the oils in the wood can eventually irritate their respiratory system. If you want to use a pine bedding you can but they have to be able to have other levels of the cage to sleep/play on where they arent in the wood all the time (which is why one level cages shouldnt be used for rats). My rats play on the top two levels of the cage and they go to the bottom to use the bathroom and get water!
4. It may take some time for the rats to trust you and thats normal. You just have to be patient. Its been two months and one girl still doesnt let me hold her but the other just recently started letting me hold her and not running from my hands! Ironically she used to bite me alot too but she doesnt anymore : )

There is a picture of how I set up the "rat manor" and I think it works very well : ) They also have tissues (paper towels work great!) for bedding as well as a make shift hammock I made from an old towel (you can hang them up with string or the big paper clips work well too!)

Click on the pic to see it bigger. And you can see some of the little babies that my rat had (we didnt know she was pregnant when we bought her hehe) they are 4 weeks old!

 

Having patience is key to developing a meaningful bond with your rats. You adopted them, so now they're your responsibility so there is no going back. Sometimes rats that are returned for being 'sick' are put in a freezer to slowly die to be sold as feeders.

When I first got my boys from a pet store they sneezed and were badly infested with mites. While out of their cage free ranging on me they would poop and pee a lot! Darn that smell. The pooping eventually stopped because they got older (and out of the diaper stage...ha ha) and now they dribble a little which is wiped off with a napkin or old t-shirt that I lay beneath them on my lap that is there for chewing, pooping, peeing, etc.

For bedding I use a softer form of cat litter called Yesterday's News. Other companies make it too and it is economical. My rats also have fleece hammocks that I cut out from a fleece blanket which are hung from shower curtain rod rings bought from the dollar store. These normally get handwashed and hung to dry once per week because they soil them with urine.

As far as treats go, I prefer to supplement their Oxbow Regal Rat diet with kale, green peas, raw or cooked carrots, cooked green beans, raw oats, raisins, wee bits of cucumber and apple, peanut butter flavoured dog biscuits, Nature's Path organic cereal, and cheerios. I avoid giving my rats cheese because I heard they are lactose intolerant.

Talk softy to your ratties and let them know you love them. You never know, you may be rewarded.

 

I have always done trust training and it has worked well for me. You will develop a very special bond with your babies and they with you given enough time and patience. For bedding I use Exquisicat Paper Pellet Fragrance free. You can get it at petsmart a 25lbs for $12.95 I believe or a smaller one for $6.95 or around that price. I have 7 rats so I always get the 25lbs bag. I would also suggest you get a cage cleaner and deordizer that you use when you're cleaning their cage. If you go to Joanns when they're having a sale and use coupons you can get some really cheap fabric and make them hammocks. No sew or if you have access to a sewing machine. Rats love homemade items. I wash the hammocks everytime I clean their cage and replace them with a different type. Rats are highly intelligent and need to be properly stimulated. So what I do is switch around and redecorate their cages each week so it doesn't get soo dull.

As far as treats go my rats absolutely love Gerber Graduates Puffs especially the banana flavored ones. They cost $2 a can and you get like 500 pieces or more in a canister. I don't give them an abundance but I don't think theyre unhealthy seeing as a serving for a toddler is 75 puffs. You should give your rats fresh fruit and veggies mixed in with their lab block diet. I use Oxbow Regal Rat Food and have found it on a site I love to go to for buying pet items. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6067+10381+11253+16965&pcatid=16965 I usually get the 20lbs bag for $40 because its a much better deal and lasts a while. And another treat that isn't very expensive and keeps them occupied for a while. I give each rat a walnut that is not cracked open. Then they go at it and usually get the yummy walnuts. They love that!

I'm sure you will be a good rat mommy. Just be inventive. Like I said they love homemade items and in the rat homes section theres a lot of ideas and how to make them.

 

Hey, I see you PMed me this as well, but I figured I'd reply on here.

New home sneezes shouldn't last longer than a month. I'd say they're sick or something in the environment is aggravating their respiratory tracts at that point. Make sure you're using dust free bedding, keep their cage clean, dust your room regularly, make sure there's good airflow, good humidity, etc... there a lot of things you can do before you take them to the vet for meds - just don't wait too long if it's getting worse or they're very congested, wheezing, clicking, etc.

Tee shirts and threadless fabrics like fleece are great, and if you shake them out well and add a cup of vinegar in the wash there is no smell left over in the washer at all.

The whole trust training thing is not really necessary. You can force them to be social by handling them a lot right from the beginning. Pick them up, hold them in a towel, let them explore between layers of clothes, lay a blanket across your lap and put them underneath it, etc. make sure they're close to you so they can get used to your touch and smell and don't let them loose to wander unless they're at the point where they will come back to you willingly. Handle them often and you'll be fine. I always preferred forced socialization to the more passive trust training.

Treats are simple, rats aren't too picky - plain cheerios, unsalted sunflower seeds, peanuts, bits of crackers, yogurt licked off fingers, etc. don't think too much about that one.

You've come here loaded with questions and concerns about your rats already, which shows your willingness to learn and do the best you can for them. It's a bit of a learning curve but you'll get it in time. I'm sure you'll be a great parent to them

 

I use aspen bedding which isnt great for odor control but my boys like to do their business in one corner so I just pick up the soiled bedding every other day and completely clean it out every week. It costs about $3 for a 14L at Wal-mart which isnt a huge amount of bedding but their are ways you can ration it out. I usually just barely cover the bottom of their cage since they don't sleep in it and I have boxes with shredded paper to suit their digging needs. With Aspen adding more litter doesnt reduce smell so theres not really a need to make it 2 inches deep. There are some cheap paper beddings but I can't find any where I live since theres just petco and walmart.

The dollar store is a great place for toys and fleece. I got this huge fleece baby blanket for a dollar and still haven't used all of it. They have fleece blankets for pets but they are significantly smaller.

As for the pooping and peeing, my boys did that a lot the first couple times but luckily it was on an old spare couch and I just used some Fabulouso and febreeze and it was good as new. They are only pooping because their nervous and scared. Now they never poop, however, they do pee on me sometimes because they like to hang out in my sweatshirt so I have a designated sweatshirt for play time. If they pee on it then I just rinse that spot with some water after play time and wash the actual sweatshirt every week. If you wash the pee with water while its still wet it reduces the smell to almost nonexistent.

As for food, I can't help you much. Their are no good options around me so I use a mix of walmart brand and Harlan Teklad that I ordered online. I want to use mainly Harlan but its expensive and the only place I've found it for cheap is ebay which I cant use right now thanks to stupid paypal. And thats about all the wisdom I have for rats at the moment since I'm still somewhat new at this.

 

Thank you all for all of the support.... I love he fact that I can get this stuff of my chest and also have people help me out with the problems I've been having. As far as training space goes, bazmonkey, I do have a kiddy pool that my brother got last year and it will definitely fit in my basement. I also agree in your saying that my mom would appreciate something that can be easily cleaned and hosed out.... Good idea. I now know what I need to do to trust train too! I watched this really good video on YouTube about getting your rats used to hands and I tested it out. It wasn't the normal technique that EVERYBODY uses where you hand feed your rats, talk to them, etc. (although I do this too). Instead, if your rat raises his head and opens his mouth to give you a bite, just let him nibble and quench his curiosity. I tried this and was amazed by the results! Griffin opened his mouth, nibbled, nibbled again, and did again around 6 times. HE DID NOT BITE, he was just INVESTIGATING my hand and afterwards, I could tell that he was twice as confident around me and even came out of his cage for a treat!;D I am soooo excited about the progress of my little boys!

 

If you're the oldest of 6 and money is a concern, you might want to start putting money aside for veterinary bills. It might be in your best interest to call around and ask what an appointment and antibioitcs typically run. Rats are prone to respiratory illness and you'll more than likely experience that during your rattie's lives. My 4 rats cost me close to $1000 in veterinary bills in the one and a half years I have had them (my biggest expense so far being $220 for tumor removal). You might want to start setting money aside for an appointment or humane euthanasia if you have any health issues that you cannot afford to treat. Being able to provide veterinary care for an animal that's sick or in pain is one of the most responsible things you can do for your animals.

 

Welcome to the forum! You have already gotten lots of great advice here and it sounds like you are making great progress!!

You sound like a very responsible rat owner - keep up the good work!

 

For cheap bedding ideas, go out and spend $20 or so on a CROSS-CUT paper shredding (make sure it's cross cut and not strip shredder) and just shred paper you would normally throw away. That's what I use as my bedding and the rats love it.