Rats?

[WolvesRaven]

Does anyone have rats? I have three males and four females. I started with two males and two females but one of my females escaped and ended up pregnant. She had 9 babies.

This is mom. Her name is Biscuit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/The%20girls/Biscuit/Biscuit2.jpg

And her cagemate Nommo.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/The%20girls/Nommo/Nommo.jpg

This is the dad. His name is Tapioca.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/The%20Boys/Tapioca/Tapioca.jpg

And cagemate Chester.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/The%20Boys/Chester/Picturegroup2081.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/The%20Boys/Chester/Picturegroupa1157.jpg

These are the babies.

newborn

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/babies.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/babies3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/babies2.jpg

3 weeks

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/020505040.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/60d17f4a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/Kye2.jpg

5 1/2 weeks

the boys

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/Picturegroupa1151.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/Picturegroupa1148.jpg

the girls

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/Picturegroupa1155.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/Picturegroupa1153.jpg

we kept both of the girls.



These three went to a friend

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/Picturegroupa1169.jpg



And we kept Kye. Here he is with Dad and Chester

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/Babies/Picturegroupa1173.jpg

[babyboos]

Is Chester a hairless rat?

Is this unusual?

I haven't seen more than three hairless hamsters in my life.

[Coco1]

Very cute! I've never owned one, probably never will, but they are cute! I'm just a sucker for pictures! :D

[Emma]

I think rats make great pets although I've never had any of my own, I've rat-sat various friend's pets, I'd love to have my own rats in a few years when I have the money/space to expand my menagerie.



Hairless rats aren't too uncommon in the pet market now, at least I've seen them around in several pet shops and even had one come into the consulting room whilst I was seeing practice. There's three different genes the can cause true hairlessness and also double rexes which are sold as hairless rats sometimes. The two types of true hairless rats commonly found as pets both have inherent health problems from what I've read - one type is athymic, and has a life expectancy of 9 months, the other type usually develop kidney failure around a year of age and have a life expectancy of about 18 months I think. They also have problems with allergies, lactation etc. Although if you read web pages from hairless rat breeders/pet enthusiasts, I have seen claims that they have no different life expectancy, health problems, can nurse offspring etc.



Where did you get Chester from, do you know what sort of hairless he is?

[WolvesRaven]

Chester is a true hairless. I got him from a woman I know. She took over her grandfather's pet store after he died and someone brought in a litter of hairless rats. I got to talk to the woman that brought them in. She said that she got a female from a breeder to breed with her male and the female carried the hairless recessive. Well it turns out her male carried the hairless recessive too. I guess no one wanted the hairless ones so she drove for three hours to bring them here. There were four hairless babies. She said the 7 haired ones and one hairless one had already found homes but she couldn't keep these four anymore because she didn't have the room. So I got one. Here's a few more pics.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/The%20Boys/Chester/Picturegroup3003.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/The%20Boys/Chester/Picturegroup2074.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/The%20Boys/Chester/Chester.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/The%20Boys/Chester/Chester3.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/The%20Boys/Chester/Picturegroupa1156.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/The%20Boys/Chester/Picturegroupa1159.jpg

[WolvesRaven]

He does have problems with allergies. We had to switch beddings when he came here because he was allergic to this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/bedding1.jpg

Then he was allergic to carefresh so now we use Aspen.

[babyboos]

Oh he is gorgeous though I would not deliberatley go out of my way to own one I would certainly foster one :?

[WolvesRaven]

Thank you. He was given to me.

[Matt]

I used to have 2 rats. I think I prefer them to hamsters but now I have 3 dogs who will eat anything, and I dont have room for a rat cage in my room if they went anywhere else they'd be at risk from the dogs. I used to take them to the shops with me and everything. They used to have the run of the house. It was funny watching them climb the stairs.

[furrynavel]

Hi,

I notice you have the rats in glass tanks, it isn't really the best type of housing for rats due to the lack of ventilation and amonia vapours. This can cause resparitory problems.

I had my first rat in a glass tank before I found this fantastic site www.fancy-rats.co.uk (http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk) it is a uk based forum, but I am sure there are plenty of US forums on rats :D

My rats were also allergic to woodshavings, but I think it is to do with the pine phenols, I had no idea that they were not meant to be kept on shavings :oops: I have them on a cardboard based bedding now.

I know what you mean about carefresh, my guys found it too dusty even though it was meant to be dust free!

I have 11 ratties now, I think I will stop when I get to about 15, thats a nice round number. :wink:

My hubby told me I was only allowed one cage for the rats, so I have played him at his own game :D I have a large inddor aviary that is about 4 1/2 foot long and 5 1/2 foot wide :D



Right, I am going to try to post piccies now, here goes!



Batfink

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/Batfinkinhammock.jpg



Badger and Happy

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/HappyandBadgerinbed.jpg



Rosie

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/CuteRosie.jpg



Jade

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/JadeCloseup.jpg



Star

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/star.jpg



Yogi-Bear

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/Yogistretching.jpg



Scooby-Doo

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/New-Scooby-Doo4.jpg



Jasmine

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/Jasmine_stretching.jpg



Amber

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/Catactivity-Amber2.jpg



Violet

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/Violet-closeuphead.jpg



And their new cage! (a 30th birthday pressie from my hubby)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/Ratties/NewCage2.jpg

[SnuggleHam]

He does have problems with allergies. We had to switch beddings when he came here because he was allergic to this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/bedding1.jpg

Then he was allergic to carefresh so now we use Aspen.



I think I've seen that in Petssmart before, I looked at it one time and I couldn't even find what it was made of, it didn't say what kind of shavings it was? At least Im pretty sure, if that's the same bedding I saw.

[babyboos]

What an amazing cage I bet they love it - do they have babies or are they all female? (Well a few feminine names there - not sure about Batfink :oops: )

[Emma]

There's some lovely ratties there furrynavel!! Brilliant cage for them too. At the moment as I have 2 weeks free between placements for my degree, I'm helping out at the local small furry rescue centre, and spending lots of time playing with rats! There's some super characters there, I'd love to have a few at home.....I have to chat to my housemates about how they feel about having rats in the living room, as my bedroom is already full of hamsters, lol!

[babyboos]

Oh Emma beg all you can because you really will find a true friend in rats. I wish sometimes I had room for some too but my friend's two boys keep my interest satisfied :wink:

[Sapphire_Ratties]

I have rats! 7 of them, 3 boys and 4 females...:)



http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/sapphire_ratties222/Animals1037.jpg

Neptune and Enigma

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/sapphire_ratties222/Animals1038.jpg

Zion, all 3 boys are brothers.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/sapphire_rattie_moon/babies22021.jpg

I had to include that pic, it is one of the better ones!

The 2 girls, Angel (beige) and Athena (black).

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/sapphire_rattie_moon/babies22023.jpg



http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/sapphire_rattie_moon/babies051.jpg

Caoimhe (pronounced key-V-UH) and Murine (pronounced mer-N-uh)





Tanks are very bad for rats, I noticed you live in the U.S alot of people here swear by martins http://www.martinscages.com

The boys are in a R-695 martins rat cage (30inches long, 18inches wide, 36inches tall).

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/sapphire_rattie_moon/babies22014.jpg

If you can find it, Yesterdays News is very good at odour control, It's pelleted recycled news paper. It's basicly cat litter (use the non scented kind)

Another rat forum is http://www.goosemoose.com/rfc



Your ratties are Adorable!



Edit: oops just realized how old this post was :oops:

[jennifer01]

yep i have 3 rats..will post pics soon....as photo bucket is playing up 4 me...(damn computer :P)

[furrynavel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/Ratties/heart.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/Ratties/heart.gif Neptune

[WolvesRaven]

They aren't in glass tanks. The girls were while there were babies around because they could fit through the bars of the cage. And I usually put them in a 10 gal. while I clean out the cages.



The boys' cage is actually a rabbit cage. I looked into martin's cages, but they are too expensive. i'd rather make my own. But the boys seem to like their cage.

[Sapphire_Ratties]

martins is not expensive if you really think about it.



decent sized cage suitable for babies......



so if you get say a "super pet" cage you have to spend



your time:

actually cutting the cloth to size

zip tieing it on

cutting out holes for the doors

fiding spaces for larger toy "hooks" (like comfy perchs and such).

making sure there are ABSOLUTELY NO sharp edges.



money for:

hardware cloth

zip ties (LOTS as there may be a zip tie chewer :) )

wire cutters.

file/electrical/duct tape (to coversharp edges)



plus you usually get scratched up really bad.



martins cheaper all around, lol.



We plan on getting another 695 to intro our girls in, and if they don't get along just lif the ramp and we will have two 30in longx18in wide x 23in tall cages, which is just as big cages as they have now.



plus they are great people to work with, do custom cages (for a fairly reasonable price), and the cages are good for small babies (which is kind of bad for people with bad GGMR lol :D )

[WolvesRaven]

It is probably cheaper, but I already have all that here. And other people to help and get scratched up :D. But I do plan on getting a R-695 soon though as I'm hoping to add a couple more boys to my clan. But they aren't in glass cages anymore. They boys are in a rabbit cage. Here's a pic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/ ... s/cage.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v728/WolvesRaven/Rats/cage.jpg)

They were in a tank while Kye was little because he could fit through tthe bars.

[Sapphire_Ratties]

ya, I used to have that cage for a rabbit. That floor is what I call "feet breakers" because they can break their legs in them mesh!



btw they don't need salt licks.



What kind of food do you have them on?

[WolvesRaven]

ya, I used to have that cage for a rabbit. That floor is what I call "feet breakers" because they can break their legs in them mesh!



Yeah. The floor is now completely covered. I covered it with cardboard. They mostly just chew on it but it must feel better that that wire floor. :D



btw they don't need salt licks.



I didn't think they did, but Chester found one one day while he was playing in my room and attacked it, so I gave them one. They seem to like it.



What kind of food do you have them on?



I make my own. It's dog food, cat food, oats, dry organic pasta, dried fruit, puffed brown rice (no salt or sugar), and puffed wheat. They also get fruit and veggies three times a week. Twice a week they get "wet mix" which has canned organic dog food, boiled chicken, a few bits of cheese and frozen peas. I also occasionally add boiled tofu to it.

[jennifer01]

right i promiced pics...here we go:



Rexy:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Eminem2004/Rats/rexywashing.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Eminem2004/Rats/rexylookingup.jpg

Mella:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Eminem2004/Rats/mellacurlytail.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Eminem2004/Rats/mellacute.jpg

Aura

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Eminem2004/Rats/auralong.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Eminem2004/Rats/aurastanding.jpg





*edited..i 4got 2 add auras name..lol silly me*

and those are my little babies :D

[WolvesRaven]

Awww. They're so cute. Are they all girls?

[jennifer01]

yep they are my 3 gorge girls :D



Aura is 2, mella and rexy are 1 ...they are all rspca rattys :)



jenny

[furrynavel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/furrynavel/Ratties/heart.gif Rexy!



I love rexes, I have a silver fawn rex and a silvered black berkshire rex does and a silver fawn hooded rex boy.

I am going to pick up a gorgeous agouti dumbo rex and her smooth agouri sister soon.

Rexes for world domination!!!

[babyboos]

Are Rex rats similiar to Rex Syrian Hamsters - soft, plush, almost velvet like, wavy hair with short curly whiskers?

[furrynavel]

Are Rex rats similiar to Rex Syrian Hamsters - soft, plush, almost velvet like, wavy hair with short curly whiskers?



Yes, it is just a description of their coat type. I can't help rubbing my face against their fur :oops: It is so soft and fluffy!

[babyboos]

Oh I love Rex too - it is my favourite coat type - I would love to get some of the really gorgeous Rex coats you see on Swedish hamsters.



If you get the chance maybe have a look at this old thread (http://www.candacebell.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=39#39) it has some links to a fantastic breeder of Rexes in Canada.

[furrynavel]

***FAINT*** They are adorable!! That is most possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life :D

[Sapphire_Ratties]

soooooo cute!



Just like humans, to much salt is a very bad thing :) you might want to think about taking it out and putting it in for short periods or for "treat time" only.



And just like humans, just because they like it doesn't mean it's good for them :) lol If my crew could the ONLY thing they would eat is yoggies!

[WolvesRaven]

Hmm...this is true. I will remove it. Or just hang it somewhere in the closet. (That's where they play. It's rattie-proof) .

[Coral]

I have rats too!! 5 boys, 6 girls (4 cages), and 2 siamese rats, which are my mum's. Here's some pics:



Sugar

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/cdm2711/Sugaronmum01.jpg



Her daughter, Spice

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/cdm2711/Spice-sniffingmumscardigan.jpg



Junior (of "the rat pack")

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/cdm2711/Jnr-Ahand-thislooksinteresting.jpg



Frank (also of "the rat pack")

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/cdm2711/Frank01.jpg



Ben

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/cdm2711/Ben02.jpg



Coco :roll:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/cdm2711/Coco-whatsinthemug-avatar.jpg



Sammy (sort of part of "the rat pack")

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/cdm2711/Sammy-curledup-sml.jpg



Fudge

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/cdm2711/Fudge.jpg



There's more, but I thought I'd stop there :D

[babyboos]

Would you guys say rats are addictive? I don't know anyone with just two...

[SnuggleHam]

Oh I really like Ben, that siamese look is so pretty, that's why I got into breeding Siamese and Burmese gerbils hehe :P I'd like a rat someday maybe, but aren't they more smelly?

[jennifer01]

I see Bill, but no Ben :( I'd love to see a picture of Ben again :) I love all your ratties, they are so cute, but I really love Bill and Ben :)



Yep, rats are addictive, it's only because I still with with my parents that I only have 3.



My best ratty friend (from fancyrats website), is a rat breeder, yet this time last year she was a ratty mum of only 3 too ( I think it was 3...or maybe 4) and is now a mum to 26 ratties, plus her little baby eepers. Rats are addictive, Beware of the wonderfully but contagious (spelling) GMR aka Get More Rats syndrome :?



Anyone from the rat forum (I'm sure coral can back me up :) ) can agree with me, rats are addictive! :D he he



Jenny

[Emma]

The rex rats I've met aren't as soft as rex hamsters or rabbits, but softer than normal rat fur and wavy. Rex rabbits have the best coats, soooooo soft.



As for smelly - I found in the rescue that boys can be a bit stinky, especially when they're older, girls generally not. I've heard things such as "dumbos can be smellier" or "rexes can be smellier" but no idea (and I doubt) whether they're true or not.



I wouldn't say that rats are addictive but that there's a certain type of person that falls in love with them and then there's no stopping them!

[Coral]

Oh I relly like Ben



His head will get big :wink: .



I see Bill, but no Ben :(



Nope, that's definitely Ben :wink: . I didn't post a pic of Bill (he has red eyes). I must get some new pictures of those two - they're looking thoroughly handsome now that their lice treatment is over, and they're nice, healthy ratties again with very sleek, clean coats :D .



I don't really find rats smelly. Rather like other animals, they're only smelly if you don't clean them out - males more so than females (I agree with that part). Neither Dumbos or Rexes are more smelly than the top-eared, or flat-coated ratties.



I agree with Emma that certain people fall in love with rats, and then it's hard to stop at just two. My problem is I regularly visit a forum which has a rehoming section, and there are just so many rats that need a home. It gets a bit too tempting when you know you could squeeze in another cage somewhere :roll: . The needy, cute, furry faces are very hard to resist :) .

[neeshkabeesh]

The rex rats I've met aren't as soft as rex hamsters or rabbits, but softer than normal rat fur and wavy. Rex rabbits have the best coats, soooooo soft.



I have a rex rabbit, see the photo album on my sig :D They are reeeeeally soft but I like rex rats too, my friend had a male he wasn't as soft just sort of fluffyish :lol:



I only have two rats, two girls called Lola and Avril but I intend to get boys when my girls have gone, as bad as that sounds :oops: . I found it hard to keep two cages (males and females) clean when I had both sexes, I'm reconsidering now keeping both again but I'm not sure what my parents would think about that! I need to move out! :lol: Rats are addictive, I have to keep telling myself I mustn't get more girls to go with my two! Luckily all my local rescue centre has had recently is males so I haven't got any new ones just yet :)



Gah I'm so jealous of that big huge cage on the first page of this topic, I'd love an aviary! Or a Tall Speedy Chinchilla :( I have to wait though!!



Oh and wolvesraven theres always the forum at http://www.ratpalace.com/index.php - which is American I think!



I'd recommend everyone go on there and have a look at the cage photoalbum, they mainly have Martin's Cages - there is this enormous one that almost touches the ceiling!!

[babyboos]

Oh I really like Ben, that siamese look is so pretty, that's why I got into breeding Siamese and Burmese gerbils hehe :P I'd like a rat someday maybe, but aren't they more smelly?





Oh must agree looks like they have been raiding the cocoa tin :o Correct me if I am wrong guys but I was always led to believe quite strongly that rats are social like dwarf hamsters and must have company of their own kind. They can be neutered a lot easier than hamsters, if neccessary to have two opposite sex rats, and they are just as smelly as some hamsters can be if not potty trained and cleaned out regulalrly enough.

[Coral]

Correct me if I am wrong guys but I was always led to believe quite strongly that rats are social like dwarf hamsters and must have company of their own kind.



That's correct for the most part. Rats are very sociable animals, and while humans can give them alot of the attention they need, people like to sleep at night, and - more often than not - rats like to be awake. Company of their own kind is vital to some rats.



Coco came from a rescue with her brother (the rescue was disastrous, and told me they were both girls :x ). When we split them, she completely retreated into herself. She acted both very very scared, and very very lonely. Then, we got her 3 friends, and within minutes, she was as happy as anything :) .



Rats like grooming each other, playing together, and sleeping together in one big pile :D . They can't do that if they're on their own.



Saying that, some rats actually prefer to be on their own. They might get on well with people, but not other rats. My boy, Sammy, is an example of this. I've tried him with other rats, and he is instantly aggressive. I think, however, this is a result of him being split from other rats when he was very very young, and simply knowing no different that to be on his own. Not sure, as I don't know his history, but it's a theory.



they are just as smelly as some hamsters can be if not potty trained and cleaned out regulalrly enough



Yep, that's right too. Like any animal, they get smelly if not cleaned out regularly enough. Girls are more easy to litter train than boys, although boys catch on too. This is simply what I've found - others may have different opinions :wink: .

[furrynavel]

[My boy, Sammy, is an example of this. I've tried him with other rats, and he is instantly aggressive. I think, however, this is a result of him being split from other rats when he was very very young, and simply knowing no different that to be on his own. Not sure, as I don't know his history, but it's a theory.



My first boy Jake was very aggressive to other rats aswell, but a lovely 'people' rat. I have had to get my three boys neutered because they were ripping each other to shreds. They are now big fat squisy beanbag boys who love each other :D

My boys definately smell worse than the girls, but I try to spot clean daily and totally change the beddinag a couple of times a week.