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CompactFanny
Oct 1, 2008

^^strawberries are fine.
e: loving new page!

Dr. Spaceman posted:

Anyone have a recommendation for chew toys? My rat could not give two craps about anything I have bought her at the pet store besides maybe a Kong filled with treats :/

Homemade toys! My guys really love toilet paper tubes stuffed with treats and tissues, and the ends folded shut. Also an old sock full of treats hanging just out of reach- they all know "spin" as a trick, and it's soooo hilarious to watch them spinning under the sock trying to get the treats to fall out. :3:

I just give my rats anything they can destroy, and don't hang it up or clip it onto the cage or anything. They give no shits if there aren't any treats, so if you put it on the floor all up in their way they will destroy the gently caress out of it, treats or not.

On an unrelated note, Lucy has not yet given birth. When can I start assuming that she's not pregnant after all?

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Supercondescending
Jul 4, 2007

ok frankies now lets get in formation

CompactFanny posted:


On an unrelated note, Lucy has not yet given birth. When can I start assuming that she's not pregnant after all?

How long have you had her again?

Indigestable
Jul 26, 2007
And immoveable.

Gravity Pike posted:

I was about to bitch you out for feeding your rats grapes, having heard that it causes kidney failure, but I guess that only applies to dogs. The only results I could find of rats and grapes after a quick google search was that grapes seem to protect fat rats from heart disease.

So, uh, feed on, I guess.
D:
I wanted to feed them mostly/only whole foods so I read everything I could find about rat nutrition like five times before even bringing them home. No worries.

eig
Oct 16, 2008

Gravity Pike posted:

I was about to bitch you out for feeding your rats grapes, having heard that it causes kidney failure, but I guess that only applies to dogs. The only results I could find of rats and grapes after a quick google search was that grapes seem to protect fat rats from heart disease.

So, uh, feed on, I guess.

my rats love grapes and ate like half the bag, or atleast took them and hid them in my couch :ohdear:

CompactFanny
Oct 1, 2008

Superconsndar posted:

How long have you had her again?

It will be 3 weeks on Saturday.

Supercondescending
Jul 4, 2007

ok frankies now lets get in formation
^^^^Yeah, if she's not showing by then, It's probably safe to say you lucked out and she's not preggo. :toot:

Amiss
Mar 9, 2006

Pestilence is the new pink.
So, first of all, some of you might remember my story about Casper choking on a bit of soy nut a while back; there was some rat-swinging "Heimlich" and a frantic late-night drive over to the 24/7 ER vet. Couple nights ago, exact same everything, except with Kovacs. I have no idea what he was choking on, though. My boyfriend and I had just taken a break from Mario Kart Wii, and I noticed Kovacs all hunched over and puffed up, sitting very still in the middle of the half-chewed egg carton. I opened the cage to check on him, which is usually his cue to spin around and start dispensing kisses to my fingers, but he just hunched up further. I got him out of the cage and immediately noticed the head-ducking thing they do when choking, so I checked his mouth, tried to get some water in there (he was having none of that), and finally resorted to some rat-swings, which dislodged a huge gob of phlegm. He was still moving slow and floppy, still ducking his head, and his breathing was still shallow, so we scooted over to the ER vet at 3 AM, where he promptly stabilized himself with no outside help, just like his brother had-- of course. Except this time they charged me $100 instead of just letting him go for free, but hey, whatever, I'd pay a lot more than that just to know he's okay. The vets loooved him; one told us, "We're sorry these are the circumstances, but we're really glad we got to meet him!" and when they brought him out, the girl who'd taken him back had him curled up in her hoodie pocket. :3:

Second, my usual vet called me this morning saying they'd found two reasonably nice lady rats in a reasonably nice cage abandoned out by their dumpster (WTF assholes who just abandon their pets to the dangers of weather and stray cats and dogs and AGHHHHH :fuckoff:)-- the vet wanted to know if I want them. Man, you guys... We just really can't take on more pets right now, but drat... :(

Edit: I just called back; the receptionist said the rats were skittish but friendly, definitely not aggressive. I told her I'd go visit, just to "get an idea of what they're like"-- but I just realized that I probably really shouldn't. She mentioned that one of them had a bit of head tilt (wry neck from advanced mycoplasma, maybe?), and realistically, it could be a bad, bad idea to go visit some rats from unknown origins, then come back to my own healthy boys. drat it.

Amiss fucked around with this message at 23:53 on Jul 15, 2010

Serella
Apr 24, 2008

Is that what you're posting?

Amiss posted:

So, first of all, some of you might remember my story about Casper choking on a bit of soy nut a while back; there was some rat-swinging "Heimlich" and a frantic late-night drive over to the 24/7 ER vet. Couple nights ago, exact same everything, except with Kovacs. I have no idea what he was choking on, though. My boyfriend and I had just taken a break from Mario Kart Wii, and I noticed Kovacs all hunched over and puffed up, sitting very still in the middle of the half-chewed egg carton. I opened the cage to check on him, which is usually his cue to spin around and start dispensing kisses to my fingers, but he just hunched up further. I got him out of the cage and immediately noticed the head-ducking thing they do when choking, so I checked his mouth, tried to get some water in there (he was having none of that), and finally resorted to some rat-swings, which dislodged a huge gob of phlegm. He was still moving slow and floppy, still ducking his head, and his breathing was still shallow, so we scooted over to the ER vet at 3 AM, where he promptly stabilized himself with no outside help, just like his brother had-- of course. Except this time they charged me $100 instead of just letting him go for free, but hey, whatever, I'd pay a lot more than that just to know he's okay. The vets loooved him; one told us, "We're sorry these are the circumstances, but we're really glad we got to meet him!" and when they brought him out, the girl who'd taken him back had him curled up in her hoodie pocket. :3:

Rats seem to choke on things a lot. When I was visiting my friend, I was sitting by the rat cage when one of hers began to choke, so I picked him up and gave him a little rattie Heimlich and then some water all while the friend was flipping out and trying to figure out what to do. :mmmhmm: The rat in question went back to scarfing down his food just as quickly as before when put back into the cage, and apparently learned nothing from his experience, having another choking episode the next week which my friend was able to deal with.

I wonder if he would have been able to pass it without interference?

Amiss
Mar 9, 2006

Pestilence is the new pink.

Serella posted:

Rats seem to choke on things a lot. When I was visiting my friend, I was sitting by the rat cage when one of hers began to choke, so I picked him up and gave him a little rattie Heimlich and then some water all while the friend was flipping out and trying to figure out what to do. :mmmhmm: The rat in question went back to scarfing down his food just as quickly as before when put back into the cage, and apparently learned nothing from his experience, having another choking episode the next week which my friend was able to deal with.

I wonder if he would have been able to pass it without interference?

Good work! :hfive:

And yes, supposedly rats are usually able to work out their own choking issues without help, but I figure better safe than sorry and all that.

Dr. Spaceman
Jul 15, 2007
I want to meet that dad

CompactFanny posted:

Homemade toys! My guys really love toilet paper tubes stuffed with treats and tissues, and the ends folded shut. Also an old sock full of treats hanging just out of reach- they all know "spin" as a trick, and it's soooo hilarious to watch them spinning under the sock trying to get the treats to fall out. :3:

I just give my rats anything they can destroy, and don't hang it up or clip it onto the cage or anything. They give no shits if there aren't any treats, so if you put it on the floor all up in their way they will destroy the gently caress out of it, treats or not.

I totally forgot about TP tubes! She is going to get a tube within a tube within a tube, with one yogie inside :3

MissConduct
Jun 20, 2008

Hardships are like training with lead weights...
When they come off, you go flying down the road!

Serella posted:

Rats seem to choke on things a lot. When I was visiting my friend, I was sitting by the rat cage when one of hers began to choke, so I picked him up and gave him a little rattie Heimlich and then some water all while the friend was flipping out and trying to figure out what to do. :mmmhmm: The rat in question went back to scarfing down his food just as quickly as before when put back into the cage, and apparently learned nothing from his experience, having another choking episode the next week which my friend was able to deal with.

I wonder if he would have been able to pass it without interference?

How does one perform a "Rat Hemlich"?

Nebalebadingdong
Jun 30, 2005

i made a video game.
why not give it a try!?

MissConduct posted:

How does one perform a "Rat Hemlich"?

http://www.rmca.org/Articles/choking.htm

Someone in the previous thread actually had to do this. "The Fling" worked and the rat was saved! Pretty scary stuff.

Amiss
Mar 9, 2006

Pestilence is the new pink.

Nebalebadingdong posted:

http://www.rmca.org/Articles/choking.htm

Someone in the previous thread actually had to do this. "The Fling" worked and the rat was saved! Pretty scary stuff.

Might've been me with Casper..? It definitely worked that time; he was starting to go limp until I "flung" him. :(

Worth highlighting, though:

RMCA posted:

If your rat can breathe and you're patiently waiting for the rat to clear the obstruction on his own - stay calm. It may take several hours for him to be able to accomplish this. Most rats will clear the obstruction without assistance within one to four hours.

Wish choking weren't such a common issue... It's so hard to just sit and watch them struggle to breathe (and, y'know, live) while you wait for them to clear it.

Skutter
Apr 8, 2007

Well you can fuck that sky high!



Nebalebadingdong posted:

http://www.rmca.org/Articles/choking.htm

Someone in the previous thread actually had to do this. "The Fling" worked and the rat was saved! Pretty scary stuff.

I've had to Fling one of my rats before. He had gotten a hold of some paper and started to choke on it. So I Flung him a couple times, cleared out his mouth, Flung him a bit more and he was totally fine. It was really scary for a few seconds though...

Ugrok
Dec 30, 2009
Hello !

I just adopted two 8 weeks old female rats, and i would like some tips on how to make them more friendly. They are really really shy ; it's strange, cause when i put my hand at the cages entrance, holding a treat (they hate cheese, btw, and they seem to like bread crust more than anything else - go figure), they come and eat it. But if i move an eyelid, or if i take a deep breath, or even if i slightly move a shoulder, then it's total panic for them : they run away at lightnings speed, and go hide in their shoe box.

What can i do ? Is it a good idea to get rid of their shoe box, for example, during the day, so that they cant hide and have to adapt ? I would put it back during the night, for example...

I tried to let them go out on their own, well, they did, but it ended in a traumatic chase because they would not go back inside their cage on their own, and i had to grab them, which scared the poo poo out of them (they hid in a corner without moving for ten minutes). I really dont want to scare them, but no matter what i do, they freak out...

Help !

Supercondescending
Jul 4, 2007

ok frankies now lets get in formation
Some of their skittishness is due to being in a new environment, but for general socialization, get a hoody or a baggy sweater with pockets, plunk rat in pocket or on your shoulder and go about your business. Do this for a couple of hours a day, every day. They'll come around eventually.

Don't take their box away, their cage should be a safe place and it'll just make them feel more exposed and panicky.

Free ranging is something that has to be built up to AFTER your rats are very, very tame, after they know where their cage is and that it's where food is and that it's their safe place, and after they're very comfortable with and bonded to you. Don't try to free range them again for a few months at least, after loads of heavy socialization.

Ugrok
Dec 30, 2009
Thank you very much !

I can't see me putting one of them on my shoulder or in a sweater pocket for now though, they are so jumpy (literally - they jump like freakin kangaroos), i would be scared they'd go the suicidal route !

Ill just keep giving them treats the next few days and see if trust builds up i guess before trying to carry them around...

Supercondescending
Jul 4, 2007

ok frankies now lets get in formation
The female I bought a few weeks ago is starting to show as of today. I'm moving her into a maternity tank tomorrow. I know this is a ~pet~ rat thread and most people here will be barfy about hearing about feeders but since it has been literally years since I have so much as seen a litter of rats, I am in fact very excited. I can't get too attached for obvious reasons, but I am very much looking forward to getting to watch a bunch of little eepers grow. I'll be keeping one or two of the babies from this litter to breed, so once I choose them I'll at least have one or two I can allow myself to get attached to.

Babies! :3:

daggerdragon
Jan 22, 2006

My titan engine can kick your titan engine's ass.

Superconsndar posted:

The female I bought a few weeks ago is starting to show as of today. I'm moving her into a maternity tank tomorrow. I know this is a ~pet~ rat thread and most people here will be barfy about hearing about feeders but since it has been literally years since I have so much as seen a litter of rats, I am in fact very excited. I can't get too attached for obvious reasons, but I am very much looking forward to getting to watch a bunch of little eepers grow. I'll be keeping one or two of the babies from this litter to breed, so once I choose them I'll at least have one or two I can allow myself to get attached to.

Babies! :3:

If notsoape can have a humanely-raised bunny farm for slaughterings, we can put up with humanely-raised rats for feeding other critters with. Besides, rats are cuter :colbert:

You are going to post pictures of the babies, right? RIGHT?!

RazorBunny
May 23, 2007

Sometimes I feel like this.

A Jeopardy contestant just informed Alex Trebek that he had a blue rat, and that the blue ones are "the smartest, friendliest species of rat!" :downs:

Pickle Chops
Sep 25, 2008
I've just noticed one of my boys has a half inch gash above his eye. Guessing they have been fighting. It looks pretty clean, but also fairly deep. I've given it a wash, but will make sure to keep a watch on it.
It's weird as he is generally more agro towards the others...Unless he has scratched the gently caress out of himself :/ He's got another hole on his belly too. :(

Supercondescending
Jul 4, 2007

ok frankies now lets get in formation

daggerdragon posted:

If notsoape can have a humanely-raised bunny farm for slaughterings, we can put up with humanely-raised rats for feeding other critters with. Besides, rats are cuter :colbert:

You are going to post pictures of the babies, right? RIGHT?!

:3: Her mommy-belly is very subtle right now, but you can see the beginning of swelling around her lower abdomen:




Here's mom:




Here's her little maternity tank:




She's just baaaarely showing now, so she's still got a few days to go. She's nesting obsessively though, so I think she's going to be a good mom. She was from a mixed feeder tank but I'm pretty sure this is her first litter based on her appearance and age, and given that she's just started showing now, Judge is definitely the father unless she got pregnant by a pet store male like, the DAY I got her.

I promise not to post any feeder rat sadness ITT, just cute baby development pics. :3:

Big Bug Hug
Nov 19, 2002
I'm with stupid*

Ugrok posted:

Thank you very much !

I can't see me putting one of them on my shoulder or in a sweater pocket for now though, they are so jumpy (literally - they jump like freakin kangaroos), i would be scared they'd go the suicidal route !

Ill just keep giving them treats the next few days and see if trust builds up i guess before trying to carry them around...
When I got my first rats they were curious but skittish. What I did was make them a little fleece bag and stick them in there - at first individually, for an hour each during which I would sit at my desk and keep a hand in the bag with them, scratching them, patting, holding or just resting there. This was a better option than a pocket or anything for me since I could make sure they couldn't escape the bag. You can literally see them settling down over the half hour or so you have them out.

Just keep touching them for at least 1/2 an hour at a time, don't let them get away from you. They WILL get used to you. You kind of have to force them into it. Do some research on "forced socialisation" on rats. Thats what people are talking about when they say to carry them around with you. Its not cruel, I promise :)

After they have calmed down during these sessions you can let them explore up your arms, shoulders or whatever. At first they will quickly retreat back to the safe bag. It lets you really get used to how rats behave and you can judge when they are ready to move on to the next step.

For the next couple of days if you want to wait, give them a treat every time you walk past the cage - cheerios work well ;) They will really learn to trust you by the frequent attention. Rats are curious and sweet and will want to investigate you soon enough!

Big Bug Hug fucked around with this message at 11:27 on Jul 21, 2010

Ugrok
Dec 30, 2009
Well, today i used the "forced socialisation" technique, and it was incredible to effectively see that, after 20 minutes, precisely, rats do indeed calm down and stop trying to jump or climb or panic ! But really, it was amazing to witness : 20 minutes, no more no less, and they finally stood still on my shoulder while i was walking around. They didnt even pee or poo poo on me. Nice moment ! I could even take pictures. Ill do it everyday from now on, and see where it gets (as i put them back in their cage, they still washed like there was no tomorrow).

Bishop :



Warwick :

Big Bug Hug
Nov 19, 2002
I'm with stupid*
I'm so happy you were able to get instant results. I love the markings and huge eyes on that little white girl. Ahh, I miss having baby rats.

I always find it amusing also how they go into a grooming frenzy whenever they get back in the cage - as if they want to wash the human stink off them :3:

Ugrok
Dec 30, 2009
Thank you !

I'm really surprised, they are my first rats ever, and i didnt think i could be so fond of them. They are really the cutest, nicest and funniest pets !

Question : when will they be "full grown ups"? They are maybe 9 weeks old, will they get much much bigger ?

Big Bug Hug
Nov 19, 2002
I'm with stupid*
From what I've seen rat sizes can differ greatly between individuals (I'm Aussie though so our pet rats might differ a bit). Yours look like they have quite a bit of growing left to do though :) At a guess mine were full sized at 5 months or so? I didn't really pay that much attention, sorry to say. Anyone know when rats officially reach maturity?

Just wait til they get a bit older and more used to you and start seeking you out for attention. One of my boys would never leave my shirt if he had a choice and just boggles every time he gets in there, sniffs at my lips and snuggles up to me. My little deaf guy was always a bit aloof, but the other night he figured out how to boggle while climbing around in my shirt as well and it was a :3: moment.

Supercondescending
Jul 4, 2007

ok frankies now lets get in formation

Big Bug Hug posted:

From what I've seen rat sizes can differ greatly between individuals (I'm Aussie though so our pet rats might differ a bit). Yours look like they have quite a bit of growing left to do though :) At a guess mine were full sized at 5 months or so? I didn't really pay that much attention, sorry to say. Anyone know when rats officially reach maturity?


It does vary, but 12 months is usually the cap. I have seen rats continue to grow after that though.

shadysight
Mar 31, 2007

Only slightly crazy
Arg! So I just found a lump on one of my girls today, but my regular vet is out of town till August 1st. I'm trying to decide now whether to wait it out or go to the other vet I know but don't trust much.

gently caress.

I know what you're probably going to tell me. I guess I just need to be told to suck it up and pay twice as much as I normally would for significantly more indifferent care.

Edit:
Extra info. She seems happy and healthy enough, she just has a lump like half a golf ball on her the side of her stomach.

Edit 2:
Made appointment for Monday with vet I don't like. It'd be almost 2 weeks till I could get into my regular vet and risking a pet's health is not worth my personal quibbles.

shadysight fucked around with this message at 00:56 on Jul 24, 2010

sushisleeper
Apr 3, 2010
My one female and neutered male rat escaped in the bathroom as I was cleaning their cage out. Balls, the male, came back to me after about half an hour of hiding out is some hidden part of a cabinet, but Rosemary is still in there.

I got a Havahart trap along and have been keeping the bathroom door closed at all times to make sure that Rosemary stays in the bathroom. She's extremely skittish and runs away immediately back into the cabinet hole.... so there's no way for me to get her out other than the trap.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a missing rat rescue?

Amiss
Mar 9, 2006

Pestilence is the new pink.

sushisleeper posted:

My one female and neutered male rat escaped in the bathroom as I was cleaning their cage out. Balls, the male, came back to me after about half an hour of hiding out is some hidden part of a cabinet, but Rosemary is still in there.

I got a Havahart trap along and have been keeping the bathroom door closed at all times to make sure that Rosemary stays in the bathroom. She's extremely skittish and runs away immediately back into the cabinet hole.... so there's no way for me to get her out other than the trap.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a missing rat rescue?

She'll get hungry eventually. Sit in the bathroom with some food and a book. Move slowly as she comes out to get the food, no sudden movements, but be ready to snap forward and block the cabinet hole as soon as she's a few feet away from it. Then you can take your time cornering her, hopefully.

Of course, I say this without any knowledge of your bathroom's floor plan, but hey. Sounds like you're doing all right so far, just keep an eye on her!

First Time Caller
Nov 1, 2004

I've been eyeing this thread for almost a month and would like to get a rat. In my area (rural VA) I could find no listings in the paper, yellowbook, or online for a small rodent breeder or rat rescue. The closest one is like 3 hours away.

Is buying two rats from petco really that bad? If I want that route is an immediate vet visit following the purchase recommended?

edit: didn't see the post on the last page somehow. so get some rats. Vet visit still recommended?

First Time Caller fucked around with this message at 07:05 on Jul 24, 2010

Amiss
Mar 9, 2006

Pestilence is the new pink.

First Time Caller posted:

I've been eyeing this thread for almost a month and would like to get a rat. In my area (rural VA) I could find no listings in the paper, yellowbook, or online for a small rodent breeder or rat rescue. The closest one is like 3 hours away.

Is buying two rats from petco really that bad? If I want that route is an immediate vet visit following the purchase recommended?

edit: didn't see the post on the last page somehow. so get some rats. Vet visit still recommended?

The three in VA on this list-- too far away? Too shady? Too..?

http://www.ratster.com/breederlinks.html

First Time Caller
Nov 1, 2004

Amiss posted:

The three in VA on this list-- too far away? Too shady? Too..?

http://www.ratster.com/breederlinks.html

Sent the one in Blacksburg an e-mail, didn't see that site. There's no updates on her site since May about any planned litters so we'll see.

Still 2.5 hours away but I guess that'll do

First Time Caller fucked around with this message at 10:06 on Jul 24, 2010

Beowulf
Jun 16, 2003

The multiplying villainies of nature do swarm upon him...
I've been using Suebee's diet for about 6 months now and it works fabulously for some of my rats, but I've noticed two of mine mostly ignore the dry dog food and concentrate only on the seeds/grains. Anything anyone would recommend?

Supercondescending
Jul 4, 2007

ok frankies now lets get in formation

Beowulf posted:

I've been using Suebee's diet for about 6 months now and it works fabulously for some of my rats, but I've noticed two of mine mostly ignore the dry dog food and concentrate only on the seeds/grains. Anything anyone would recommend?

Don't refill the bowl until they've eaten everything. They won't starve themselves. They may hold out for a day or two, but eventually they'll realize nothing else is coming and they'll eat what's there.

eig
Oct 16, 2008

Superconsndar posted:

Don't refill the bowl until they've eaten everything. They won't starve themselves. They may hold out for a day or two, but eventually they'll realize nothing else is coming and they'll eat what's there.

Yeah this is what I do. :)

First Time Caller
Nov 1, 2004

Is it OK to have the ramps and middle floor in a rat cage be made of wire or do they need to be solid ( can that cause bumblefoot?) or does just the floor of the cage being solid matter?

Also should I have one food dish / 1 water bottle for 2 rats or should I have 2 of each?

First Time Caller fucked around with this message at 20:12 on Jul 24, 2010

Yarn!
Feb 27, 2010

by T. Finninho
I've had small furry pets for years but took a hiatus after my guinea pig died a few years ago from old age. Thanks to this thread I've been inspired to adopt rats. There is a local rat rescue and I have an appointment to see them on Tuesday :D I'm really excited.

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Serella
Apr 24, 2008

Is that what you're posting?

Yarn! posted:

I've had small furry pets for years but took a hiatus after my guinea pig died a few years ago from old age. Thanks to this thread I've been inspired to adopt rats. There is a local rat rescue and I have an appointment to see them on Tuesday :D I'm really excited.

Seriously, this thread has made me want the gently caress out of rats. Alas, I own ferrets and hope to get a cat in a few months, so I continue to live vicariously and demand more pictures.

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