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Got it. Thanks
The Rat Forum's Beginner's Guide (Work in Progress)
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I'm too broke to fly. We have a strategic set up in my Outback for road trips. I'm pretty sure rats aren't allowed on planes. I know for a fact, however, that you can't take them on buses and trains.
Interesting. I've always driven with my rats. I have 3 car cages depending on how many and what ages my rats coming with me, and then a travel cage at my destination. It's usually a bit smaller since you can't really travel with a DCN, but they get extra daily playtime instead. I treat traveling like extra bonding time for me and my babies. Hope grandma doesn't mind lol.
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Mine just chill out in the cat carrier. When I travel with pets, it's usually a move. So the reliable rats get free time in my trunk while the dogs and cat get their walk. I use the Rat Manor as a travel cage.
I believe there was an article somewhere with a step-by-step on how to prepare fleece to be used as bedding (so that it wicks properly) as well as cleaning and whatnot. Also, I'm sure any walktrhroughs/tutorials on cage building would be amazing. I'm building one myself this weekend, so if all goes well we'll have that.
Don't forget to include a link to the list of rat friendly vets by state, and I don't know if these exist yet, but lists of breeders/rescues/groups/etc by location would be awesome. I'm in Louisiana a myself and wow rat people are hard to find down here, finally lucked out with a couple of Facebook groups! Haha
Um, anything explaining markings, coat types, ear types, colors obviously. That's very basic, but I know I had no idea there was so much variety.
I'll try and think of the first questions I had..Oh, "boys vs girls" would be very helpful. I know it's not a real "versus" type situation, but just something explaining the differences would be good. Maybe even toss in new illustrated guide to gendering.
For people who didn't impulse buy (like myself.. shame) maybe a guide to owning a baby rat? What to feed, what developments to watch for, how old is safe/ok to wean (so they can be weary of someone letting rats go too young), at what age boys/girls should be seperated.
Um.. anything involving pregnancy. I see that asked a lot. How to spot it, how to handle it. I know there's already a thread on it, so that's a little leg work saved there.
Oh, as for ailments, be sure to include/outline anything that is transmittable between species, such as cat to rat or what have you. I don't know if there are many or even any at all, but just a thought.
I apologize if any of these things have been said. I'm on my phone so can't recheck over the thread well. I'll try to think of more questions as I have them.. being a rat Newby myself.
Don't forget to include a link to the list of rat friendly vets by state, and I don't know if these exist yet, but lists of breeders/rescues/groups/etc by location would be awesome. I'm in Louisiana a myself and wow rat people are hard to find down here, finally lucked out with a couple of Facebook groups! Haha
Um, anything explaining markings, coat types, ear types, colors obviously. That's very basic, but I know I had no idea there was so much variety.
I'll try and think of the first questions I had..Oh, "boys vs girls" would be very helpful. I know it's not a real "versus" type situation, but just something explaining the differences would be good. Maybe even toss in new illustrated guide to gendering.
For people who didn't impulse buy (like myself.. shame) maybe a guide to owning a baby rat? What to feed, what developments to watch for, how old is safe/ok to wean (so they can be weary of someone letting rats go too young), at what age boys/girls should be seperated.
Um.. anything involving pregnancy. I see that asked a lot. How to spot it, how to handle it. I know there's already a thread on it, so that's a little leg work saved there.
Oh, as for ailments, be sure to include/outline anything that is transmittable between species, such as cat to rat or what have you. I don't know if there are many or even any at all, but just a thought.
I apologize if any of these things have been said. I'm on my phone so can't recheck over the thread well. I'll try to think of more questions as I have them.. being a rat Newby myself.
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No worries. Better twice than none at all.
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Sorry, I don't know what you mean about pets having a higher status in Europe?
In Germany, depending on the size of your animal, a dog for this instance, you have to pay for their ticket and pay a dog tax. Weird right? With small animals you can travel with them in a small carrier on a bus or train, but really the only times you'd do this is if you're taking them to the vet, picking them up, or need to travel during the holidays.
If I had a car here it wouldn't be much of a question for me how to travel with them. However rats can be difficult traveling via public transport. You have dogs, prying eyes, and weather to deal with. Rats are not popular pets here either, when shopping for them in the store or online there's not a lot of options. Actually lemmings and degus seem to be more popular O_O.
Some after thoughts:
I guess in terms of all animals (even horses) can take the trains, in some instances there is a higher status. Though It seems like Germany just has a very strong public transport service as opposed to when I lived in a big city in Ohio.
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Part of my old job was standing in front of retail establishments raising funds and supplies for local animal shelters and rescues. Living near the largest military installation in the world, there are a great many people from around the world. Of all the foreigners I talked to that wanted to help the animals, most of them were German. They told me a lot things about how animals are regarded in Europe, but especially in Germany.
From what they told me, Germany not only has laws to protect animals, they are actually enforced. An American stationed there 'disposed of' a litter of puppies in a cruel way. He was prosecuted and served jail time. Animals are allowed in restaurants, as long as they are behaved. Every German I talked to was absolutely appalled at the way animals are treated here in the states and told me how much better it is for animals in Germany.
After hearing the same stories over and over again for the 3 1/2 years I worked at that job, I can't help but believe it's true.
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I want to know where you worked because that's not what I heard at all. Of course, when it's through the grapevine, you never know.
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I can't say I know the laws here, since I've only lived here for a little while, but it doesn't seem that much of an improvement. I live in Berlin, so there's a ton of dogs here, and yes lots of folks bring their dogs into restaurants and it's pretty relaxed. Most of these restaurants are privately owned so it varies place to place who allows what. I also know a lot of vegans here too so maybe there's a stronger desire for animal rights?
Anyways I don't want to go off topic.
Mudbug did you mean this tutorial? https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/threads/21568-The-Fleece-Project-The-Study
Would any helpful youtube video links be accepted?
Anyways I don't want to go off topic.
Mudbug did you mean this tutorial? https://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/threads/21568-The-Fleece-Project-The-Study
Would any helpful youtube video links be accepted?
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Yup
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If you feel it might be helpful to new rat owners, you could add a link to the immersion guide.
I'd almost suggest a link to my shoulder rat thread too, but that is really only for advanced rat trainers and handlers. For new rat owners, it's more of a things-not-to-do checklist, so it might be best left out or at least not linked.
I'd almost suggest a link to my shoulder rat thread too, but that is really only for advanced rat trainers and handlers. For new rat owners, it's more of a things-not-to-do checklist, so it might be best left out or at least not linked.
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I know where the Immersion Guide is, but where is the shoulder rat link? If the beginners guide comes together nicely, there might be a part two: tricks and enrichment.
Mobile is a pain in the a** to search on.
Mobile is a pain in the a** to search on.
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Oh, and if you're participating, I was considering creating a Google Doc for everything to be organized into, so Pm me with a Google email to add you with. They're easy and free to make.
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I know it isn't common that someone from the USA (or english speaking country) to live in Germany and has / wants rats, but I always believe that there's someone out the that might at some point. I took a lot of notes and research of what you can get here, what's common place, and website resources. I also know some search words in German. It might be useful to someone out there. *shrugs*
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Do you want everyone's email? I'm working on a draft for habitat right now.
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I personally think it would be good thing to include. There are plenty of Europeans on this website. There is also information in the stickies specific to Europe.
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It's been a few decades since I was last in Germany, But I do recall the people on my Lufthansa flight sitting by the emergency door with their dog at their feet... And yes the dog flew in the cabin with them... I asked and they told me that the dog had been tranquilized to keep it calm... But I also recall the cockpit door was open and the flight crew was giving tours to kids while drinking cocktails. So some things might have changed...
But in Germany, as I recall there was an obscene dog tax. You had to be a pretty hard core dog lover with financial resources to own a dog. I think the high cost of ownership made people take better care of their dogs and better train them... Most of the dogs I saw in the city were exceptionally well behaved and yes they were treated with a lot more respect than in the US. Simply put, German dog owners were expected to be more responsible and their dogs got more respect for it.
Seriously, people who don't have the time or aren't willing to put in the effort to properly train their dogs, most likely shouldn't own them in the first place.
But in Germany, as I recall there was an obscene dog tax. You had to be a pretty hard core dog lover with financial resources to own a dog. I think the high cost of ownership made people take better care of their dogs and better train them... Most of the dogs I saw in the city were exceptionally well behaved and yes they were treated with a lot more respect than in the US. Simply put, German dog owners were expected to be more responsible and their dogs got more respect for it.
Seriously, people who don't have the time or aren't willing to put in the effort to properly train their dogs, most likely shouldn't own them in the first place.
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