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Old 01-25-2021, 06:23 PM   #1
AmityvilleHams
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Default Rosie & Bloom

For several years I'd been planning to get rats, and as of December 30th 2020 it finally happened - not necessarily entirely the way I'd planned, for example females instead of the males I'd intended on getting for years now. Admittedly I've been putting off making this thread, but the girls really do deserve an introduction before I've had them a whole month!

Rosie is, as far as I can tell, a pink eyed white. In some ways she seems to be the more outgoing rat of my pair. She also seems to not have as good eyesight as Bloom, but she gets around well enough even if she has to calibrate her vision sometimes(which if I'm being honest made me panic a bit initially). ETA - forgot to mention but she has bitten twice although the first time barely even counts as a bite since skin was not broken although it was my fault anyways, the second time was a little more recent and could've been an accident(luckily not a bad bite but I'm still going to have to work on that to try and prevent future bites).

Bloom is a fairly skittish mystery hooded - she looked like a black hooded rat when I got her, but then different lighting makes her look very different so I have no idea with her. I've been making progress with her slowly though, so hopefully eventually she'll be easier to handle and more comfortable with me in general.

Both rats are comfortable enough coming up to open cage doors and begging for treats. This is a newer change for them, but it does seem to be helping them get more comfortable with me. On the other hand, they've also learned the sound of treat bags being crinkled very well and will even wake up from naps to climb onto the side of their cage and stare at me as if I've betrayed them by not immediately offering treats

I might make a separate thread eventually regarding my thoughts & experiences with their cage, but they do live in a Savic Zeno 3 Empire which to keep things short I've found to be an excellent cage that they seem to enjoy. I do have to fill it up more and give them more things in general though.

For now I'll just add a picture of a blurry Rosie(one paw does look a little odd there but they're fine).
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Last edited by AmityvilleHams; 01-25-2021 at 06:29 PM.
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Old 01-25-2021, 10:10 PM   #2
sushi_78
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Default Re: Rosie & Bloom

Rosie looks very cute. The Zeno 3 is huge so should be amazing once filled up with climbing things.

Pink eyed animals typically have slightly worse eyesight, especially when they also have white fur. I've found my pink-eyed gerbils are more likely than my black-eyed ones to accidentally bite so I'm more careful how I present my hand (e.g pointed fingers look a lot like a treat to them so it's better to present the palm or side of the hand). In some cases it can be better not to give treats from the hand at all.
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Old 01-25-2021, 11:02 PM   #3
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Default Re: Rosie & Bloom

Thank you! I'm definitely looking forward to adding more things to the cage. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up extra things soon enough to really make use of the space and add more enrichment. I also plan on getting a sewing machine within the next couple months most likely so that will help a lot too.
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Old 01-26-2021, 04:35 AM   #4
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Default Re: Rosie & Bloom

If you could get a decent photo or video of them I can help you work out the markings (and I'm sure other rat owning members will too).

I know you said that you still need to get more stuff for the cage yet, but when you do just get rid of the plastic levels, they're pee magnets and a pain if I'm honest.

Dog ropes are cheap and can be attached with shower hooks. Wooden perches for birds are also enjoyed. Lava ledges and suspended bendy bridges are fun. Alro cardboard boxes and large tubes suspended and on ground level are the best and cheapest toys.

I don't know if you are aware but they can be litter trained. Also store bought food isn't as great as you may think. When you have time, have a look at the shumanite diet.

If you search Isamu Rats on YouTube, she has lots of informative videos on everything rat. Illness, food, enrichment, cages, bucks, does, kittens, everything you can think of.

I've owned both does and bucks. There's only a few differences I've noticed with mine. Bucks are a lot bigger. My one boy was 1kg (originally from a breeder who had a big line) while my largest doe was ~300g of unknown background. The second thing is only my bucks have had HLD and kidney issues (normally come hand in hand) females I've had little issue with but normally things like pyo and mammary tumors are common.
Boys aren't necessarily more cuddly and girls aren't always more hyper. I had one boy cuddly, the other hyper. Same with my current and my previous girls.

In regards to the eyes, don't worry. A friend of mine had 2 albino ex lab rats (rescue) and they were fine, lived a normal life. I had a ruby eyed Siamese, again same thing, he could do anything the black eyed do. You just may notice swaying of the head which really all rats do but more noticeable with red eyed. Just helps with depth perception. All I can say is make sure you have hammocks strategically placed to break falls. They'll be alright ☺️

You may be experiencing test bites, very gentle compared to an actual bite and nothing to really worry about. Mine test bit for a few months, the one still does from time to time but she's taken longer to come out of her shell.

How old are they roughly?

Any issues or questions feel free to ask. World of rats can be a tad daunting when you start but you'll soon get into the groove.
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Old 01-26-2021, 04:37 AM   #5
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Default Re: Rosie & Bloom

Ratropolis - Living with Rats

Forgot to add this. Patterns for different styles of hammocks as you said you were going to make some yourself.
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Old 01-26-2021, 06:07 AM   #6
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Default Re: Rosie & Bloom

Rats love hammocks and rat tubes . Fuzzbutts in the uk specialises in rat hammocks and hides (and the odd one for smaller furries) - you might get some ideas looking at theirs as well. There are lots of options to buy as well that are inexpensive to get you started. They love anything snuggly and Cody. Lovely you have Rosie and Bloom.

The snooze cubes are great - I have the hamster sized one. Good for lifting a hamster out of a cage.

Fuzzbutt Cage Comforts - Fabulous Furniture for your Fuzzies! Rat hammocks, chinchilla hammocks, small furry funky cage gear
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Old 01-26-2021, 06:17 AM   #8
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Default Re: Rosie & Bloom

Yay another ratty person!

I haven't announced them but I got a pair of kits the week before christmas! A silvered black and black eyed siamese. They have introed great with my boys and went into my main cage yesterday (liberta explorer, just top half at present)

You already have some good advice.

What I would add, if they are your first rats and they are a bit nervous still, put them in a hamster cage for a bit until they tame up and get confident in your house. It wont harm them . Mine live in a 80 x 50cm cage for the first few weeks then i use it as an intro cage.

I like my hammocks from cosy beds and burrows (their hanger hammocks are great) and heart rat hammocks on etsy

They will need a higher protein diet until they are around 10-12 weeks old, keep an eye on their tails, they should be nice and round not squared. egg, kitten food pouches etc then reduce it to a few times per week.

Ive had many red eyed rats, they do sway but rats dont rely on eyesight as much as we think so ive never had an issue hand feeding.

Any nips can be countered with "rat speak" by making a little squeak! They soon learn hands come with food and scritches!

Did you get them from a breeder? They should be able to advise on the colour.

You may have a roan.. they look like black hooded and quickly fade and change

Any questions please ask.. im a crazy rat lady of..erm... 11 years now, eep!

food wise, like engel said, the commercial mixes arent great, I use harrisons banana brunch as my base and add cereals, grains, nuts and various other bits, It works out cheaper too and i store in a large feed bin
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Old 01-26-2021, 06:23 AM   #9
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Default Re: Rosie & Bloom

forgot to add..your best taming method is not to faff around trying to tempt them to doors.. rats soon can become the boss of you and you can waste hours sat cooing and bribing lol

I use a snuggle pouch, you can buy them or make one, and sit with them in it on the sofa with my hand in there. They soon recognise it and can climb out into it at the door, it is less daunting than an open cage door.

They will often test nibble but new ratty people can often mistake grooming for bites, they will nibble under your nails and remember they are still learning what is food and what is not in the world. A true rat bite will often have 3 punctures as their bottom teeth split. But little nibbles quickly can be them grroming you

Also a dressing gown or hoodie..shove them down there! The sound of your heart will calm them and they get used to your smells.

Unlike hamsters, hands on taming outside cage will get you quicker, more confident rats, otherwise they will take you for a ride!

I dont put any hide places like tubes in either, i give them the top part of a sputnik to sleep under but that is it.

Ive become more confident over the years now.. at the start id sit for hours and hours trying to get nervous babies to come out to me! good luck
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Old 01-26-2021, 06:55 AM   #10
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Default Re: Rosie & Bloom

Quote:
Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice View Post
Yay another ratty person!

I haven't announced them but I got a pair of kits the week before christmas! A silvered black and black eyed siamese. They have introed great with my boys and went into my main cage yesterday (liberta explorer, just top half at present)

You already have some good advice.

What I would add, if they are your first rats and they are a bit nervous still, put them in a hamster cage for a bit until they tame up and get confident in your house. It wont harm them . Mine live in a 80 x 50cm cage for the first few weeks then i use it as an intro cage.

I like my hammocks from cosy beds and burrows (their hanger hammocks are great) and heart rat hammocks on etsy

They will need a higher protein diet until they are around 10-12 weeks old, keep an eye on their tails, they should be nice and round not squared. egg, kitten food pouches etc then reduce it to a few times per week.

Ive had many red eyed rats, they do sway but rats dont rely on eyesight as much as we think so ive never had an issue hand feeding.

Any nips can be countered with "rat speak" by making a little squeak! They soon learn hands come with food and scritches!

Did you get them from a breeder? They should be able to advise on the colour.

You may have a roan.. they look like black hooded and quickly fade and change

Any questions please ask.. im a crazy rat lady of..erm... 11 years now, eep!

food wise, like engel said, the commercial mixes arent great, I use harrisons banana brunch as my base and add cereals, grains, nuts and various other bits, It works out cheaper too and i store in a large feed bin
Lol I thought I was bad mischief owner for 5 years hopefully getting a few more later in the year (saw yours on IG and they're adorable)

Edit: I too use Harrison's banana brunch as a base
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