Rosie & Bloom

[AmityvilleHams]

If I'm able to pick up some fresh veggies and such when I'm able to go grocery shopping I will. I'm sure they'll enjoy being able to try new things even if it's just simple. Worst case scenario I can freeze veggies if I must but ideally I'll be able to figure out options that others in the house would actually eat too which is not easy unfortunately!

I'll probably keep messier fruits for feeding in a playpen or something like that once they're more tame. I know they've tried raspberry freeze dried and seemed to enjoy that, not sure if they'd be interested in the fresh version or not. Apple and melon would probably be easier though since those tend to be in the house when there's fruit.

[Amethyst_ice]

I only tend to give melon, like cucumber, in hot weather as nutritionally it is mostly water.

Apple is good. Peas can be great when they get older and free range (or some do in cage)..called pea fishing. Basically frozen peas in shallow water and they enjoy fishing them out. BEware that sweetcorn and peas get shelled.. so you end up with a bit of a mess.. same for grapes, they tend to leave the skins!

I live alone so I freeze lots of my veg. It can be given frozen or put into bagss and defrosted over night. In warmer weather i freeze veg in ice cubes and that is also a fun activity

Leafy greens are your good go to. Check out that list I linked, i have it printed out and reference it all the time.

I have stopped giving potato. I used to give bits of mash when I had a roast dinner but i have found rats tend to have a bit of intollerance to dairy. Id always have runny poops next day after havign mash and i linked it to the milk and butter I used. They get a little i take out before adding milk and butter but nutritinally it isnt really of much value. Mine like mashed carrot and swede though. They always get a mini roast dinner when I have it (minue gravy and onions)

i hope we are exciting and not scaring you!

It's late in the UK and I can't get my photos to reduce, but here are my kits- if you look at my black, you'll see his silvering coming through to compare to Engels rusting

I am Sparta! �� (@sparta.ratticus) • Instagram photos and videos

(shouldn't need to say but the cage you see is the small hamster intro cage. I had a few people message saying I was cruel.. had they taken time to browse my IG they'd see I was introing -_- )

[AmityvilleHams]

Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice

(shouldn't need to say but the cage you see is the small hamster intro cage. I had a few people message saying I was cruel.. had they taken time to browse my IG they'd see I was introing -_- )

I'll definitely keep the ice cube idea in mind, it gets pretty hot here quite often and even with air conditioning it certainly won't hurt to have some good summer treats to help. Pea fishing is also something I plan on doing out of the cage eventually, it's actually something I've been looking forward to as it seems very fun for rats!

If I did give potato it would be completely free from any dairy, I don't think I would though as there are so many other non starchy options filled with excellent nutritional value.

Speaking of frozen treats for summer weather, I've also considered making frozen baby food drops. It really shouldn't be hard and would give them something different than just frozen veggie cubes or pea fishing. The occasional bit of frozen fruit might also be an option though they might react to it like my dog the one time I offered him frozen blueberry and act like it isn't remotely edible

I think one of the few times I've been scared related to rats was the first time I saw one of mine curl up with their tail underneath them. I have cats so it really shouldn't have surprised me that rats could hide their tails too even a little but it somehow did and I'd thought the worst of course!

It's terrible that people were so hateful and rude but unfortunately that is often just how some parts of the internet can be. So many people jump to conclusions without understanding situations enough

[Amethyst_ice]

You can make your own fruit smoothies and freeze those into drops? Im not a huge fan of baby food, if i do, i get like the mashed up fruit pouches that have higher fruit content. Yogurt is always a favourite but beware, mine are great at grabbing the whole pot and covering the cage!

Spaghetti is fun to give them.. and noodles.. ill just leave that with you hehe

The also "furtato" curl up.. and often will scare you with the "death hang".. they hang paws and head over ledges and hammocks with open mouths lol

Oh what a wonderful world you have entered mhaha

[Amethyst_ice]

Oh, it;s a good idea to get togther a little ratty first aid kit. Things like hibiscrub, ivermectin, swabs.. but an odd one is a tin of hot dog sausages. The thin kind in brine.

Rats can't vomit and can choke. It can be very scary to watch and most of the time they shift it themselves, but for a rat that is struggling (starting to foam) a piece of hot dog sausage fed can dislodge.

If you havent already found it, this is my go to rat health page

Health – Rat Guide

I have a vet friend who contributes to it and have printed off pages lots of times to take to my own vet. It is a great resource

[AmityvilleHams]

I do plan on setting up a first aid kit as soon as possible. Even if it's just some basic essentials it'll definitely help me feel more prepared plus I'd rather not run into accidents unprepared when possible. I know I've heard corn starch can be used in place of styptic powder at least for dogs, not something I have right now but definitely something I could get anyways especially if it would be useful to have on hand for first aid. That's definitely important before I try to trim any nails just in case!

[Amethyst_ice]

I have some pre made ones that were marketed to dogs and cats, like little cotton bud sticks you snap and the liquid flows through.

Trimming nails is an art.. bluntly speaking.. if you have big boobs it makes things better! I hold them under there with one hand and you can then spread the back feet toes out. I find nail clippers easier. Calm soothing voice and take time. Why I try get my kits used to it from an early age.

For front paws, not as easy (but they dont tend to mishape or cause issues like back ones can), i sit them like a buddah and spread toes out.. often the odd whisker gets clipped!

Some rats will keep their nails short themselves which is great.. some, or when they get older, let them get long.. when they get older they can curl badly and thicken so its good to practice. Kitten nails are always longer and sharper like human babies

As you have girls, you dont need to know about man bit issues hehe

[AmityvilleHams]

I imagine it'll be harder than cat nails with how small and squirmy these two are right now, but if they seem too stressed after a couple nails getting clipped I might take a short break. I found that helps with cats at least - not having to trim each nail all at once at least with the cats who really hate it, but you can still get the job done if you keep trying and remain calm & patient.

Luckily they don't seem too bothered having their paws handled at this point - aside from Rosie every now and then wanting to go in for a nibble. They might not stay that way though with actual nail clipping but it would be very nice for me if they did!

[Amethyst_ice]

I thougth my kits would be awful tbh but i tried their first clipping last week before intros..as little double rex kairos would get shredded!.. and they sat perfectly still!

A firm confident hold, lots of talking. I just take the tips off, i dont go really really short.

Ive had some really twisted, thick old man nails in the past to try do. I find the back feet easier, you'll find your own method but the boob squish is my preferred lol

[AmityvilleHams]

I know with cats the nails on back feet tend to stay shorter - these two rats seem that way as well but I'll still check when I go to clip them anyways just in case a little trimming is needed. The boob squish does sound really effective though and incredibly convenient, but if I end up coming up with any other solutions that end up working I'll try and post them!