We're (hopefully) having twins guys!

[fluffymunchkins]

sorry amethyst as much as i'd love it!
Asking for rats would be too much for my mum to take she hate the things

[kazmac]

Haha - lots of people are like that lol!
I used to think rats and mice were creepy - didn't like their tails - but now I'm smitten and have had many of both as pets!
I wouldn't be without my rats now - I find them fantastic and intriguing animals. And they are so intelligent and interactive.
I always say they're the pet I'd have next after the dog - but I think they're really joint number one on my list!!
I can't tell you how great they are! So much so that I'm in the process of establishing a rattery. So lots more rats here in the near future!!

[Sammybingo]

They look so cute! I can't wait to see more of them. I haven't ever really been around rats, but I reckon they look to be fantastic pets. Funnily enough, I had just seen this and was thinking "aww, I want to meet some rats.." - Dog Kennels | Fish Tanks | Rabbit Hutches | Dog Crates | Rabbit Cages | Cheap Fish Tanks | Chicken Coops - Buy at Online Pet Shop.

[Amethyst_ice]

awww they are cute..we are hoping we can tame them so they will cuddle up on our shoulders ^_^ x

[kazmac]

If you persevere and if they don't have a genetic tendency to be aggressive, they should become tame and enjoy cuddles. Bucks (males) tend to be more cuddly than does (females). They tend to be happier cuddling up with you or sitting on your shoulder, whereas does tend to be very busy and inquisitive!
If you regularly spend time with them - out of their cage - you should reap the rewards. At least half an hour a day if you can.

Things to avoid which could encourage aggression would be - giving them a fright, grabbing at them really quickly (let them come to you) and putting your fingers through the bars of the cage etc. Common sense, really.

The cage you were looking at looks good, and I know you've thought about covering the wire shelves with something to protect their feet.
Definitely no wood shavings or sawdust for their substrate. Use things like Megazorb, Yesterday's News, Carefresh, Bed Xcel etc for their floor.
If you have a litter tray for them, it's an idea to use something different so they know which is their loo! But be warned that not all rats will use a litter tray!

Make sure you have plenty toys to keep them busy and stimulated (safe for small animals, obviously!) and things like tubes and hammocks etc.
Again, be warned that rats will chew, so don't put in anything you want to find still intact in a couple of days!

In terms of diet, there are lots of different ideas about this. But they can't have anything too high in protein as a general rule.
Some people use commercial rat food (e.g. Burgess Rat Royale) and some people mix their own with rabbit food & rat food as the base.
We feed ours with Alpha Herbal Deluxe rabbit food + Burgess Rat Royale as a 50% base, with the other 50% made up from low sugar cereals, dried tricolor fusilli, no added salt rice cakes, sesame seed ryvitas etc. Supplemented with occasional fruit & veg, small amounts of table scraps and occasional treats for dogs - like puppy markies and gravy bones.
I admit to sometimes also buying a chicken breast and a slice of Basa fish to cook just for my rats! They love the Basa! And someties I give them a boiled egg (in the shell to make them work for it).

For your new boys - make sure you find out xactly what they've been getting fed and, provided it's a healthy diet with healthy rat / rabbit food, don't make any sudden changes so as not to stress them or upset their tummies.

Hope that answers all your questions!

Good luck and hope you have them home with you soon.

[Amethyst_ice]

The lady said they bite when you put your hand in cage, squeak when you pick them up but then are fine..sounds like cage territorial? Gentleness and time i think will work, yes?

I read bucks are more docile..i watched lots of videos of people training them to come to name, turn round etc so hopign ours will be able to..will they be too old as they are nearly a year?

Think we will be getting megazorb by looks of it, seems most economical and ok for the hams as well.

The toys we are looking forward to, thats ok..might be home making lots..found a webpage- Rat Toy Ideas like lots of ideas on there, presume most are ok?

Crikey the buying lots of different foods sounds pricey! She said she gets a local pet store mix and she lives about 20 miles away so that wouldnt really be practical. She is giving us some to take them wit so i can swap them to something else..i like the idea of pellets..woul you say these are ok with the fresh stuff every so often?

one last thing...as they are a pair, do they fight/scrap for food..and time out the cage will they spilt up or stay together?

thats all, 2 sleeps!!! xXx

[fluffymunchkins]

bet your so excited XD
I love all the birthday ideas on that website, might try a few for the hams

I would say they are never too old to learn new tricks, as i know older mice are perfectly capable to learn a couple!

[Amethyst_ice]

one more sleep!!! mega excited but not bought anything for them yet..just in case !

the cage i like on ebay says buy it now or make an offer...not sure what region they are open to offers and you only get 3 attempts lol

im gonna be diy alot of toys cos if money. like i saw getting a big plastic bowl and cutting a hole turning upside down as an igloo poundland here i come..also saw lots of dog toys with the rope bits used

we been thinking of names...

cloud & zell (final fantasy!)
bert & ernie
frankie & benny
buzz & woody
oscar & cookie (sesame street!)
basil & roland
zig & zag
jones & croft (indianna and lara!)

lol just a few hehe x

[fluffymunchkins]

i like buzz and woody the best

[Amethyst_ice]

and me bf isnt too fussed tho x