Just got a rat

[Anneliese]

So i just got a rat yesterday, [tan hooded] Shes not a feeder but i know many of you have rats and i have a couple questions

[Yes i read all over the internet too, but you all have SO much more helpful info]

What color are there teeth normally

What can they play with?

What type of cage should they have

And any other info you'd like to share =]

[tigerlily]

I have a couple that love to run on their wheels. You just have to find LARGE ones.

Cages should have lots of floor space and plenty of venilation.

Here's a good link for homemade food mix
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=28391

[ADEE]

i think she shoul dhave a friend.. rats are happier with a buddy or group to live in. my rats live in a rudd but then again we have six of them living in there so that cage is kinda large. i would join a rat forum, you can learn alot there just keep an eye out for those excentric people.

[monk90222]

Rats teeth are yellow. Mine like to chew up paper towel tubes and LOVE chicken bones.....I keep mine in tubs, but a 20 gal long tank is OK for her...Make sure you give her things to chew on, to keep her teeth worn down...I use milkbone brand dog biscuts....

[frankykeno]

Check out our Feeder Forum too. It's not just about feeder rats so there's tons of great, informative links there to do with rat care.

I would consider getting her a cage buddy of the same gender. Rats are incredibly social creatures and even when given a lot of human attention, they don't do so well living alone. When they socialize they learn amongst themselves to not nip hard so that tends to make your time playing with them much nicer for you too. Two rats are not much more work than one (I have about 80 of them right now LOL).

Try out the dry mix that you have the link for. It's far better than any rat store pre-mix and you'll see less waste and healthier, happier rats. I also provide my rat colony kitchen scraps twice or three times a week.

Here's a link on what human foods are okay for rats....

http://www.ratnutrition.com/suppleme...forbiddenfoods

As far as caging there are a number of great options to allow your pet rats lots of room to climb and run around. Just make sure they can't escape (some larger bunny or ferret multi-level units have bars too wide for rats). Check your local newspaper, garage sales and craigslist - sometimes you can find killer deals on slightly used rodent caging.

Toys can be something as simple as emty toilet paper rolls, some cotton rope for climbing and rope bridges (cotton only though), shop cloths made into hammocks, parrot toys (though they tend to be pricey), etc. A simple and fun thing is to just toss in a small handful of thin strips of old phone book pages you've ripped up. They love hauling it around to make sleeping nests. Any food based toy is good as rats are VERY food driven LOL.

Here's a couple of great websites to learn more about rat care....

http://ratguide.com/

http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/#Red%20D...0and/or%20Nose:

http://www.ratz.co.uk/index.html

[Anneliese]

She's getting a friend tuesday =] [another girl of course]

[monk90222]

If she is in a tank, throw a handfull of large live crickets in there....they go bonkers for crickets...like popcorn to them!

[Reediculous]

If she is in a tank, throw a handfull of large live crickets in there....they go bonkers for crickets...like popcorn to them!

Really? learn something knew everyday!

[frankykeno]

Yep they enjoy a bit of live hunting here and there. Mealworms can be a fun treat for them as well as tiny live feeder goldfish. I haven't given mine a goldfish hunt in years since even though they seemed to get a kick out of it, it made a huge mess of their home with water and fish bits everywhere! I know someone that puts some live crickets into an empty toilet paper tube, bends down the ends and puts it in with the rats. Apparently they have a great time chewing into the tube to get their live treat out. A good mental and physical stimulation for them I would think.

Another great treat on a hot day is frozen green peas. Just put a small bowl of them in with the rats. It's basically rattie icecream.

[Anneliese]

Thanks for all the info =]]]]