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 #1821011


Ahhitsgodzera
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 Need advice

i accidentally got two pet rats. i got them as rat pups to feed to my corn snake but ended up not being able to. so i decided to keep them. i gave then milk and the stuff i read about to keep them healthy i got off care sheets. and now there eyes are open and there walkin around and everything and ive really grown quite attached to them...but at the moment i have then in a 10gallon tank. i dont want to keep them in there for much longer because there gettin bigger so i was wondering if a bigggg birdcage with shelves and tubes and hammocks and such would be suitable?

any input would be wonderful
and btw ive named them leeloo and leonard haha leeloos albino and leonards black ^_^
08/05/08  09:09pm

 #1821076


Guineapiggies
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   Message To: Ahhitsgodzera   In reference to Message Id: 1821011


 Need advice

i would not keep the rats in there any longer if i were you, because it’s bad ventilation. The bird house would do, as long as it’s clean and does not have big holes in it so the rats can get out.



08/05/08  09:45pm

 #1821077


Dragongirl6
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   Message To: Ahhitsgodzera   In reference to Message Id: 1821011


 Need advice

Depending on the cage, a bird cage should work just fine. Make sure the bar spacing is no more than 1/2" and as long as it’s large enough it will work just fine, especially with hammocks and different levels.

What type of food and bedding are you using?
08/05/08  09:46pm

 #1824203


Ahhitsgodzera
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   Message To: Dragongirl6   In reference to Message Id: 1821077


 Need advice

thanks =]

i give them alot of whole grains and fruits and these blueberry pet treats things and rat food from the store haha they seem to like chicken too ^_^
bedding is just some wood shavings things also from the pet store im not sure what kind it was tho



08/08/08  04:05pm

 #1824218


Cinderellawkids
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   Message To: Ahhitsgodzera   In reference to Message Id: 1824203


 Need advice

I have several bird cages revamped for rats.

How strong are their teeth, are they opening nuts, can they chew on rodent blocks? Also since they are young give them extra vitaimns by providing baby cereal (oatmeal or rice) and also scrambled eggs, its high in nutrients and protein needed at that young age.

Use the bird cage-remember even youn they are smart, Ive had 3 week olds opent he doors, so wire them shut with twist ties. Keep fresh water bottle and offer then fresh veggies too. Becareful with clothes, t shirts or hand towels as bedding Ive had them chew holes in them and then choke themselves. Use aspen bedding or carefresh.

Lots of hammocks, hiding places-like macaroni boxes, cereal boxes ect.

I currently have a milk carton with a hole cut in it wired to the side of a bird cage, mine love it.



08/08/08  04:16pm

 #1824309


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Ahhitsgodzera   In reference to Message Id: 1824203


 Need advice

Make sure it is a wire cage .. They will chew through plastic .Do you know the sex of the rats ? I would not keep a male and female together unless you are prepared for babies. They can mate at a very young age .
08/08/08  05:41pm

 #1825087


Ahhitsgodzera
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1824309


 Need advice

they eat whole grain cereal a few times a week. ill add it in there cuz they seen to like it. haha
yeah ones a boy and ones a girl. babies wouldnt be a problem really... im getting another male soon from a friend but hes gonna be in another cage.
the cage is also wire its no plastic. im trying to find shelves to put in there. or im just gonna get a wire topper for the 10 gallon they had at pets supermarket. im not sure yet tho haha

thanks for the advice btw =]
08/09/08  03:11pm

 #1825226


Dragongirl6
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   Message To: Ahhitsgodzera   In reference to Message Id: 1825087


 Need advice

Quote:

yeah ones a boy and ones a girl. babies wouldnt be a problem really


Yes they will! Even if you don’t mind raising them, it is VERY hard on a female to be housed with a male. She will be bred FAR too early which is very hard on her body and she will be bred continuously until she dies. A female rat can get pregnant immediately after giving birth and has only a 21 day gestation period, so they can even be pregnant and nursing two litters at once. Very hard on their little bodies!!

I would suggest getting the male from your friend and keeping the males separate, and getting a female and keeping two females together instead.

For bedding, you need either carefresh or aspen. Both pine and cedar are very toxic to rats.

Good luck!
08/09/08  05:58pm

 #1825427


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Ahhitsgodzera   In reference to Message Id: 1825087


 Need advice

I agree with Dragongirl. Shes to young to be breed .Many times a young mother will eat the babies . It is not healthy for her to be continually breed . You will need at least 3 cages , ideally 4 . She will need to be separated from the male to rest after having a litter . Then you will need two cages to separate the babies in once weened . She can have 24-28 babies every 21 days . I don’t think you are prepared for that many . I would just have two of the same sex and find a home for the one you do not want . Even if you plan on using some for feeders ,unless you have a lot of snakes it is just not worth it . They can only be kept frozen for up to 6 months .
08/09/08  09:04pm

 #1825463


Ahhitsgodzera
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1825427


 Need advice

yeah i do have a bunch of snakes and i know it would be good to keep them apart and im going to do that and get another female for the little girl to have a playmate heh
08/09/08  09:27pm

 #1825506


MissSkyTheGecko
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   Message To: Ahhitsgodzera   In reference to Message Id: 1825463


 Need advice

You could get the male neutered when he’s old enough and keep them together. But you might have to separate them for awhile if you decide to do that.



08/09/08  09:58pm

 #1827614


Ahhitsgodzera
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   Message To: MissSkyTheGecko   In reference to Message Id: 1825506


 Need advice

how much does that cost?
08/11/08  09:19pm

 #1827985


Dragongirl6
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   Message To: Ahhitsgodzera   In reference to Message Id: 1827614


 Need advice

Quote:

how much does that cost?


It costs anywhere from $70-$200, depending on where you live and the vet you go to. However, it’s definitely worth it! You will have a less smelly, more relaxed, healthier, and happier pet if he is neutered, generally.

Make sure you separate him from the female now! Females can get pregnant as young as five weeks of age, but shouldn’t!! So separate them for now and decide what you want to do from there.

Good luck.
08/12/08  03:20am

 #1828354


Ahhitsgodzera
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   Message To: Dragongirl6   In reference to Message Id: 1827985


 Need advice

alright thanks! ill call around, cuz that sounds like a very good idea haha



08/12/08  01:20pm

 #1828531


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Ahhitsgodzera   In reference to Message Id: 1828354


 Need advice

I know no one that would spend $200 to have a rat fixed since they only live 2-3 years . There maybe a few but I know I wouldn’t .I wouldn’t want to pay that much for a cat or a dog and they are a 12-20 year commitment . It is much easier and cheaper just to keep them separated .
08/12/08  03:47pm

 #1828887


Dragongirl6
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1828531


 Need advice

Quote:

I know no one that would spend $200 to have a rat fixed since they only live 2-3 years . There maybe a few but I know I wouldn’t .I wouldn’t want to pay that much for a cat or a dog and they are a 12-20 year commitment


You wouldn’t spend $200 on a cat or dog to make them healthier, happier, and safer? Besides, lol, why do you care how much he spends on his pet? I can think of plenty of worse ways to spend a couple hundred... : )

Anyway, it is likely not going to be that much. I got mine done for $90, but I have a pretty inexpensive, wonderful vet. Just call around.
08/12/08  08:50pm

 #1837169


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Dragongirl6   In reference to Message Id: 1828887


 Need advice

I just noticed your reply Dragon Girl. There you go again, twisting my words around and saying some thing I did not say . I don’t care if he spends a million dollars on his pet if that is what he wants to do . I was just stating my personal opinion and that I personally would not spend $200 on a rat . It’s not that I don’t like rats , I do very much. I think they are great pets . But I would not spend that kinda money on one . I would not spend that much to have a dog or cat spayed either . I did not say I would not have them spayed , I know it can be done cheaper than $200. We were not talking about other situations or dogs or cats . We are talking about rats .I would not spend $70 to spay a rat either . But that’s just me .

Keeping the rats separated is just a cheep alternative . Some people can not afford to spend upwards of $200 on a pet rat .

BTW- you are the one that said it would cost up to $200.



08/20/08  01:36pm

 #1837208


Dragongirl6
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1837169


 Need advice

Quote:

I know no one that would spend $200 to have a rat fixed since they only live 2-3 years



That is not referring to yourself. That is referring to everyone you know.
08/20/08  02:13pm

 #1837274


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Dragongirl6   In reference to Message Id: 1837208


 Need advice

That’s a true statement . I do not know a single person that would spend $200 to have a rat spayed or neutered.

So what is your point ?


You then asked me if I would spend

Quote:

$200 on a cat or dog to make them healthier, happier , or safer ?



What does that have to do with this post or a rat ?
Nothing . You deliberately look for some thing to argue about even if you have to hijack the thread and try to twist my words around .

I think its time for you to stop it !



08/20/08  03:27pm

 #1838310


Lovetheleo
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1837274


 Need advice

ok yo get back on topic lol

i would actually spend money to get the female fixed over the male

it might me slightly more expensive(b/c they are harder to fix)

i have heard 70%of all female rats get mamory tumors and only 4% of fixed females get them(those were statistics from a rat book)

but really it lowers males and females from getting tumors

so if you can afford it i would get them both fixed

and yes price depends on where you live, and what individual vets cost etc
08/21/08  02:02pm


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