[Chthonicfox]

I realize that there is a lot of free information online but I have been seriously considering purchasing a rat book so that all of it (and perhaps more) is at my fingertips and can be carried around in the "diaper bag" I have for my companions. The two main titles I have been looking at are:

"Pet Rats: How to Easily Train and Care For Your Ratties...To Have a Happy Life Together."
Colin Patterson

"Rats: Complete Care Guide"
Debbie Ducommun

Patterson's book especially seems like it would be a good read. Has anyone read these books? Does anyone have a "rat bible" that they refer to for all of their ratty needs?

 

[Stephanie]

I would go with the one from Debbie d only becaue she is know as the rat lady. she also has a eally ood health care guide filled with medications and charts and stuff

 

[Vixie]

Yeah, go for Debbie. :3

 

[twitch]

get the debbie first but if you can afford both go for it. even if the other one turns out to be nothing but junk like you said it sounds interesting to read. but definately get the debbie one. she's pretty mucha celebrity of the rat world for her knowledge of rats

 

[Chthonicfox]

I've read a lot about Debbie and realize she is "the rat expert" - her book was an instinctive choice but it doesn't sound like it offers anything more than what I can read online. Hence I was curious about this Patterson book, that offers all kinds of extra material that goes beyond what I've read online. It could be all hype though to get people to buy the book. When I save the money I probably will own both XD

 

[Kimmiekins]

I just wanted to throw out there that there are some who do not agree with everything Debbie Ducommon ("The Rat Lady") says. She does give dosages of meds, despite not being a vet (or any formal education), which seem to be rather high... Many vets have contradicted some of the advice, especially medical. She's a person who's had a lot of rats... But she's not a vet, nor does she have any training. Some of the information she's put out there has been proven untrue (such as saying that female rats stop ovulating at 18 months, for instance).

I stay out of the debate mostly, but I did want to toss that out there. She's a good read, but don't take everything she says as gospel. I think it's best to have multiple resources... Getting both books when you can would be a good idea, along with reading everything you can find online.

 

[Chthonicfox]

Thanks for that Kimmie

I didn't realize there was a debate with her. To be honest, some of the reading I done on her site and such didn't sit well with me. I just didn't feel comfortable with what I was reading? It's hard to explain. It's like I had a sense that something might be amiss