The Rat Forum's Beginner's Guide (Work in Progress)
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Oh wow, thank you. If you wouldn't mind that would be great, a good reference for me.
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Best site IMO no prescription http://www.canadavet.com/revolution-C90.aspx
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The only vet that will service rats for medical needs is The Cat and Bird Clinc : http://m.mobilewebsiteserver.com/site/catandbirdclinic#2685
It took me quite a while to find a vet when I got my first rat so having this info available would have been a major headache saver. Many vets list small animals but do not see rats, and to boot all the vets recommended by pet shops did not see rats. Just plain frustrating.
I learned how to medicate my rats by reading and researching the book Rat Health Care by Debbie Ducommun. A website that I find very useful is Ratguide.com - this is just a flat great place that covers health, behavior and general care information.
Um, last thing I can think of as a newbie helper is to check out shops/sections for other animals, particularly birds. The twisty rope perches make great catwalks. The clamp on bowls for birds make great tip proof food bowls. Hanging coconut houses are a favorite and for under $8 a major steal. Also a lot of the foraging toys are Rat friendly or easily modified.
It took me quite a while to find a vet when I got my first rat so having this info available would have been a major headache saver. Many vets list small animals but do not see rats, and to boot all the vets recommended by pet shops did not see rats. Just plain frustrating.
I learned how to medicate my rats by reading and researching the book Rat Health Care by Debbie Ducommun. A website that I find very useful is Ratguide.com - this is just a flat great place that covers health, behavior and general care information.
Um, last thing I can think of as a newbie helper is to check out shops/sections for other animals, particularly birds. The twisty rope perches make great catwalks. The clamp on bowls for birds make great tip proof food bowls. Hanging coconut houses are a favorite and for under $8 a major steal. Also a lot of the foraging toys are Rat friendly or easily modified.
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If anyone wants to contribute: here's the link to the doc
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U3Ga5DpzwQXPJTmn7Q4X7quHIuEAGJV5_ELoc6efQJg/edit?usp=sharing
No signin required. Leave your screen name in the comment tab.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U3Ga5DpzwQXPJTmn7Q4X7quHIuEAGJV5_ELoc6efQJg/edit?usp=sharing
No signin required. Leave your screen name in the comment tab.
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Quick intro for my notes
http://www.ratforum.com/showthread.php?317154-What-do-i-need-for-my-new-rats-!
Rat Agility
http://www.theagilerat.com
http://www.ratforum.com/showthread.php?317154-What-do-i-need-for-my-new-rats-!
Rat Agility
http://www.theagilerat.com
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860 Posts
So...there hasn't been a lot of activity here for a while. I've looked over it again and I have some thoughts.
Everything people have suggested are great things to know. But I think some of them are beyond what a new rat owner needs when they are first getting started. And since this is all going to be in a single sticky, it could possibly get very long. As a new person, I wanted something with all the most pertinent things to know in one place and easy to read. For me personally, that would be in outline form. The most critical to know could easily get buried in all the information that IMO should be posted separately. Agility training, how to sew a hammocks and traveling with rats are great things to know about, but it's more important to know you should never keep a rat in a closed off space with no ventilation, kept on pine or cedar shavings and that they really need to be in groups.
I personally think an outline for a beginners guide should be limited to
Would a rat be a good pet for me?
Social requirements
Habitat
What to feed
Common medical issues and treatment
Everything people have suggested are great things to know. But I think some of them are beyond what a new rat owner needs when they are first getting started. And since this is all going to be in a single sticky, it could possibly get very long. As a new person, I wanted something with all the most pertinent things to know in one place and easy to read. For me personally, that would be in outline form. The most critical to know could easily get buried in all the information that IMO should be posted separately. Agility training, how to sew a hammocks and traveling with rats are great things to know about, but it's more important to know you should never keep a rat in a closed off space with no ventilation, kept on pine or cedar shavings and that they really need to be in groups.
I personally think an outline for a beginners guide should be limited to
Would a rat be a good pet for me?
Social requirements
Habitat
What to feed
Common medical issues and treatment
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I also think it would be good for new rat owneres to get their first rats from the same place. A new owner shouldn't have to worry about introducing new rats and the possible issues with them not getting along.
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Hmm, yes, I can definitely see that as a very good recommendation. I got my bucks from the same tank, thinking they were already used to living together and they get along fine. I haven't yet tried to introduce new rats, their Rat Manor isn't big enough for more than two comfortably.
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About travels with rats -- American Airlines apparently allows rats on planes. It doesn't say so on the Internet, but when I was investigating methods for getting my girls to NH with me from NC, I called and asked and they said it was fine. Their official pet policy is here. He seemed to think 4 would be fine, but 2 is definitely fine in one travel kennel / cage. It's also $125 per kennel, each way, and they must have a signed vet slip saying they are healthy and can fly.
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Hiccuping and Rats:
http://www.ratforum.com/showthread.php?320122-hiccuping-once-a-day
http://www.ratforum.com/showthread.php?320122-hiccuping-once-a-day
I'm a newbie and It'd be really nice if in the guide there was a section on rat behavior. When my rats fight I always get scared for their safety, even though it seems to be simple play or dominance fighting. I wish I would've known more about that sorta stuff sooner. >>
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We'll be sure to include it. But until I get this thing pulled together, the basic rule of thumb is no blood, no bruises. They're usually okay. (I'm working full-time now, so I don't have the luxury of spending 45 hours a week here...)
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I always tell people to watch a series of videos on Youtube called Rattiepedia by The Rat Guru. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLemoiETlH_TfeEhC0ON1NI4cplDsXsKwy It's a really good series.
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Unlike Hamster, Rat knows how to perform a number of trained movements such as taking objects, climbing to circus ...
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Question!! I bought a play pen for my rats, one made for guinea pigs but with small bars
My rats are new and timid, not comfortable enough to let me pick them up yet. I have also tried placing the cage into the play pen and leaving the door open so they can choose to come out when they want but that has only worked once so far. Any suggestions on how to make my rats more comfortable with me AND the play pen? I would love for them to get more comfortable so I can spend more time with them and start teaching them tricks too.
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If you yourself are a beginner, give us your questions. Some of us have been doing this too long, so remembering that some people have never held a rat (properly) before is where we become relatively stupid.
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