i ended up with a rat. help?

[K-TRAIN]

lol no you got me

Aspen is the only wood shavings that I would recommend for any small animal. The only thing about it is that it is not absorbent enough for the amount of waste that rats produce but as long as you are consistent in your bedding changes then Aspen will be fine. I do prefer Softsorbent for my rats though. It's usually priced in between aspen and Carefresh. I've tried everything and my ratties seem to have the most fun playing around in the Softsorbent lol. It even comes naturally scented with dried mint, rose, or lavender. I've only used the cheaper unscented though.

thought so lol uromastyx are awsome lizards

so if i changed the bedding ever week then it would be fine to use?
and also is softsorbent a common store brand? because i never heard of it before, and i go to petstores two or three times a week.

 

[K-TRAIN]

just to add to the thread

this is a pic of the rat. its not the best because my camera isnt the greatest but it gets the job done.

 

[LeilaNami]

this is a pic of the rat. its not the best because my camera isnt the greatest but it gets the job done.

She's a cutie. Yeah Softsorbent is sold at Petcos and PetSmarts. So if you have one of those around you, you'll most likely find it. Depending on the size of the cage, once a week is fine as long as the cage isn't overcrowded. Softsorbent is basically compressed paper. It isn't really pellets but they are small, little, white balls.

EDIT: Also, uros are freaking cool..Mine just wont grow lol

 

[K-TRAIN]

She's a cutie. Yeah Softsorbent is sold at Petcos and PetSmarts. So if you have one of those around you, you'll most likely find it. Depending on the size of the cage, once a week is fine as long as the cage isn't overcrowded. Softsorbent is basically compressed paper. It isn't really pellets but they are small, little, white balls.

EDIT: Also, uros are freaking cool..Mine just wont grow lol

EDIT: thanks. lol i cant figure out how some people cannot like a pet rat, there so cute and cool looking.

the cage size is almost that of a ten gallon tank (if not the exact size, today i relocated the rat into a cage with a shelf it can go on, so it had some stuff to play with and chew on)

so once a week i should be aright i think.... well i hope lol
im hoping it doesnt end up like my turtles (cleaning every other day)


and your uro, it will grow slow, for some reason they grow at a slower rate then other lizards. i wish i still had mine, it was a rescue and i nursed it to health (it had no light and was fed crickets once a week before i got it) but it just went downhill and died afew weeks ago.

 

[LeilaNami]

Haha but I think I've had it for a year...I don't think it's grown more than a centimeter!

If you do aspen in that kind of cage, you might want to do every 5 days or so, just in case because of the smaller floor space. A week might be fine but if you notice any lingering odor (other than the normal slightly musky rat smell lol) start changing it more frequently or to something other than wood shavings.

 

[K-TRAIN]

Haha but I think I've had it for a year...I don't think it's grown more than a centimeter!

If you do aspen in that kind of cage, you might want to do every 5 days or so, just in case because of the smaller floor space. A week might be fine but if you notice any lingering odor (other than the normal slightly musky rat smell lol) start changing it more frequently or to something other than wood shavings.

oh ok. and speaking of cleaning, so rats hide food like other rodents? im just wondering incase i give it vegitables or other stuff that could turn bad quickly.

 

[maxxx]

food

they will usually eat fruits and veggy in a day or two.

 

[LeilaNami]

Yeah they usually eat veggies right away lol but you want to take it out if they don't so no spoiling occurs. My ratties take all the food out of the bowl and move it into a corner of the cage.

 

[xBurntBytheSunx]

Stop right there. The rat he has is captive born and raised in captivity. It is NOT a rat living in dumpsters and garbage cans. They can diarrhea easily from sugary fruits and artificial sugars are bad for you, so why are you giving it to the rat? Mazuri makes a really good pellet diet for ratties otherwise, the Kaytee brand Pet Block is available. (what you are referring to as Rat Block I think) I combine the pellet diet with a small handful of seeds from a fortified seed diet. Also, fresh fruits and veggies are a recommended. Otherwise, you seem to have it right. The stuff to chew on can be either wood sticks, mineral stones, or salt licks sold in pet stores.

i kept rats 6 years and i don't recall them ever getting diarrhea. i'd give them orange slices, apple slices, chunks of bananna. you name it. never had a problem.

why not give them a little bit of candy every now and then? it might not be good for them but it won't kill them. i gave mine little pieces of mint every now and then with no ill effect.

no its not living in dumpsters but rats do survive in less than ideal conditions. my only point is IMO you can, if you want, be very liberal with what you feed rats, unlike most every other animal.

 

[Neuroticax]

Just because you CAN feed something to rats doesn't mean you SHOULD. It's like eating healthy for yourself. You CAN eat junk food but you SHOULDN'T.
And orange slices shouldn't be fed to male rats, btw, just a note.

There are wild dogs and cats, would you feed your dog or cat fast food, chips and candy all the time? I would assume not. Can you? Yes. Should you? No. Same rules apply with rodents.

If you want your rat to be as healthy as they can be and live as long as they should, then a healthy, consistent diet is mandatory. If you don't give a crap how long it lives or if it's healthy then yes, by all means feed it things it shouldn't have along with candy.

Anyway.

Your girl is shy, it will take some time for her to get warmed up and comfy. Try treats like veggies or dried fruits. Let her come to you, it might take some time, but it will happen.

Are you able to let her have some free range time? Time out of the cage is good for rats. They get their exercise and get more room to play. Just make sure you rat-proof whatever area you designate to free range.

 

[K-TRAIN]

Yeah they usually eat veggies right away lol but you want to take it out if they don't so no spoiling occurs. My ratties take all the food out of the bowl and move it into a corner of the cage.

should i avoid any fruits or vegitables, wat i mean is there somethings that arent as good for them?

Just because you CAN feed something to rats doesn't mean you SHOULD. It's like eating healthy for yourself. You CAN eat junk food but you SHOULDN'T.
And orange slices shouldn't be fed to male rats, btw, just a note.

There are wild dogs and cats, would you feed your dog or cat fast food, chips and candy all the time? I would assume not. Can you? Yes. Should you? No. Same rules apply with rodents.

If you want your rat to be as healthy as they can be and live as long as they should, then a healthy, consistent diet is mandatory. If you don't give a crap how long it lives or if it's healthy then yes, by all means feed it things it shouldn't have along with candy.

Anyway.

Your girl is shy, it will take some time for her to get warmed up and comfy. Try treats like veggies or dried fruits. Let her come to you, it might take some time, but it will happen.

Are you able to let her have some free range time? Time out of the cage is good for rats. They get their exercise and get more room to play. Just make sure you rat-proof whatever area you designate to free range.

will she (i believe its a girl) bite whats she first encounters though?
i say that because i reach into the cage to interact with her, and it seems like she wants to bite, but never does (like she'll smell my hand and then open her mouth like shes going to try eating it. maybe shes just hungry?)


and it'll have plenty of free range time when i can handle her, and i have a old hamster ball im going to try so she can run in when i cant keep a close eye on her.

 

[Neuroticax]

should i avoid any fruits or vegitables, wat i mean is there somethings that arent as good for them?

I already gave you a link that states what foods to and not to feed rats. Here it is again.

http://www.ratforum.com/index.php/topic,3079.0.html

will she (i believe its a girl) bite whats she first encounters though?
i say that because i reach into the cage to interact with her, and it seems like she wants to bite, but never does (like she'll smell my hand and then open her mouth like shes going to try eating it. maybe shes just hungry?)


and it'll have plenty of free range time when i can handle her, and i have a old hamster ball im going to try so she can run in when i cant keep a close eye on her.

Most rats don't like hamster balls. It cuts off all the senses. If it doesn't like it the first time, don't force it, you'll just scare her. You're best bet is rat proofing a room and letting her run in there. Give her things like boxes, tubes and things to play with while she's out.

If she nips at you then you need to leave her alone and let her adjust. The link I gave you gives you ANY type of information you need regarding rats. Just do a search on it. Many people have the same problems with shy scared rats like yours. www.goosemoose.com

 

[GiantVinegaroon]

I already gave you a link that states what foods to and not to feed rats. Here it is again.

http://www.ratforum.com/index.php/topic,3079.0.html




Most rats don't like hamster balls. It cuts off all the senses. If it doesn't like it the first time, don't force it, you'll just scare her. You're best bet is rat proofing a room and letting her run in there. Give her things like boxes, tubes and things to play with while she's out.

If she nips at you then you need to leave her alone and let her adjust. The link I gave you gives you ANY type of information you need regarding rats. Just do a search on it. Many people have the same problems with shy scared rats like yours. www.goosemoose.com

best rat toy = old pair of jeans

 

[K-TRAIN]

I already gave you a link that states what foods to and not to feed rats. Here it is again.

http://www.ratforum.com/index.php/topic,3079.0.html




Most rats don't like hamster balls. It cuts off all the senses. If it doesn't like it the first time, don't force it, you'll just scare her. You're best bet is rat proofing a room and letting her run in there. Give her things like boxes, tubes and things to play with while she's out.

If she nips at you then you need to leave her alone and let her adjust. The link I gave you gives you ANY type of information you need regarding rats. Just do a search on it. Many people have the same problems with shy scared rats like yours. www.goosemoose.com

oh ok. i must of overlooked it when you posted by mistake.

so she'll adjust then? do you know an average amout of time it normally takes?

 

[Neuroticax]

That's really rat personality specific and how much you work with her.

Like I said go over and read what other people have done in your situation. Mainly she needs to trust you. Lure her with treats, like I mentioned before.

If she goes to nip you, try and make a quick and loud "EEP". A lot of times this will work because they associate that with pain. If it doesn't then try another way. -When you said she went to nip at you (I think?) did she actually nip or was she going to nibble? Sometimes they will nibble and lick your fingers if you have anything on them.

While I think of it, check over her skin closely and make sure she doesn't have any infestation on her. Check the warm spots on her and go over thoroughly. Pet stores are notorious for selling rats infested with rodent lice. (No, this is not like human lice, you will not wake up with a head full of "our" lice. It's important to do this every so often if you buy you bedding from the stores, also. Bugs like to hide in bedding and then the animals suffer. A lot of people freeze their bedding for 24 hours before using it.

If you think she's nervous try not to make any sudden movements when you're around her. She probably hasn't had the best life thus far and is unsure of humans and things around her.

 

[LeilaNami]

Also, the nipping as long as it's not hard and is a gentle chewing is a social behavior and nothing you should worry about.

 

[xBurntBytheSunx]

Just because you CAN feed something to rats doesn't mean you SHOULD. It's like eating healthy for yourself. You CAN eat junk food but you SHOULDN'T.
And orange slices shouldn't be fed to male rats, btw, just a note.

There are wild dogs and cats, would you feed your dog or cat fast food, chips and candy all the time? I would assume not. Can you? Yes. Should you? No. Same rules apply with rodents.


do you seriously think feeding a rat a tiny piece of candy on rare occasion will shorten their lifespan? i think you're being awfully over dramatic

 

[Neuroticax]

Stop quote mining.

 

[arachyd]

I too think there is a bit of overdramatizing going on. Nobody suggested a steady diet of junk food like candy and oranges. Mine had full, long lives and were not fed a strict diet of "health food". They did have all they needed and then some.

It does not sound like the rat is scared. It sounds like it is exhibiting normal social behavior for a rat that has not been accustomed to humans. It is interested but not biting. Believe me, if the rat were scared it would retreat to the farthest corner of the cage when you approached. If it were aggressive it would bite. With rats that have done what you describe - open mouth but not biting - I simply ignore the mouth, slide my hand under the belly and gently scoop it up. I immediately put my arm against my chest and my other arm just a bit higher so the rat feels safe from falling. Then just see what the rat does. I've had many pet store feeders get used to me in one day this way. They quickly learn you are warm and snuggly, fun to climb on, and are another creature to socialize with. They will actually come to like you in a social relationship, not just as the bringer of food. I've never been bitten by picking up an inquisitive feeder rat. Just make sure to wash your hands thoroughly first because if your hands smell even faintly of food the rat may bite thinking you are giving it a treat. Never pick it up by the tail.

 

[K-TRAIN]

It does not sound like the rat is scared. It sounds like it is exhibiting normal social behavior for a rat that has not been accustomed to humans. It is interested but not biting. Believe me, if the rat were scared it would retreat to the farthest corner of the cage when you approached. If it were aggressive it would bite. With rats that have done what you describe - open mouth but not biting - I simply ignore the mouth, slide my hand under the belly and gently scoop it up. I immediately put my arm against my chest and my other arm just a bit higher so the rat feels safe from falling. Then just see what the rat does. I've had many pet store feeders get used to me in one day this way. They quickly learn you are warm and snuggly, fun to climb on, and are another creature to socialize with. They will actually come to like you in a social relationship, not just as the bringer of food. I've never been bitten by picking up an inquisitive feeder rat. Just make sure to wash your hands thoroughly first because if your hands smell even faintly of food the rat may bite thinking you are giving it a treat. Never pick it up by the tail.

it does move away from me though, for instince when i tried picking her up yesterday she tried burrowing under the bedding.

would that be normal or is it afraid?