Is it okay to put my two female rats in the garage? If not, I need help convincing my dad it's NOT okay!?

Question

I took two of my rats to my dad's house before, now he's telling me I need to put them in the garage. I have serious doubts, I told him that it was not safe, but he doesn't believe me. He says they'll be fine. Is it okay, though?

Answer 1

I don't think it's the best idea. The car exhaust and fumes can harm your rats, and they'll be lonely in there. Also, on really warm/cold days they will be affected much more than inside the house. Why doesn't your dad want them in the house?  

Answer 2

Are they in a cage???  If not, then NO.  In a cage without extreme temperatures they'll be OK

Answer 3

A lot of these posters have mentioned very good reasons why not to put the rats in the garage for physical environment reasons.  I have a health reason that you should share with your dad and stepmom.  Your rats are clean.  I am sure they are fed good, healthy food.  Your rats are free of mites and fleas and other parasites.  Your rats do not have active myco flareups, or SDA, or any other nasty diseases.  If you put your rats in a cage in the garage there is no guarantee that wild rats or wild mice will not come in contact with them.  The danger is that your rats would be exposed to diseases that not only make them sick but that could have long term effects on  any other animals in your living situation.  Really, for everyone's health, pet rats need to be indoors, away from possibly infected wild ones.  

Answer 4

Outside might be better than in the garage because there could be fumes from cars in the garage. It also will be very cold. Poor guys.

Good luck!

Abby

Answer 5

I,d make sure that no male rats can get into their cage because you will be swarmed with little critters and if they get out and start breeding you will be in trouble and you will have a major rat problem.

Answer 6

I don't think its safe because the garage usually get warmer than the rest of the house and the rasts might get too hot and might die... so its not safe because of the temperature. hope you can convince your dad.

Answer 7

the temperature is definitely a big concern.  also, if a car is kept in the garage, i would worry that the carbon monoxide and such might irritate your rats' lungs.  they have really sensitive respiratory systems.

it might help you convince your dad and stepmom to let you keep them inside if you can list all of the steps you can take to contain the rats (i.e. demonstrate that they can't escape from their cage) and to control any odor they might have (wiping down the cage with vinegar, setting a box of baking soda near their cage, etc.)  the more of their questions you can answer confidently, the more they will trust you to keep your rats responsibly.

Answer 8

will they be in a cage? or a habitat of some sort? if not its an AWFUL idea to put rats loose in the garage, they chew through EVERYTHING and will end up in your house and chewing through your electric, sewage pipes, water lines, walls...etc.

\

Well, since they will be in a cage, it should be ok, as long as it isnt really hot in the garage and there arent very many chemical or exhaust fumes.

Answer 9

yeah itll be fine

let me remind u thery are f*****k i n rats u idiot ha ha

Answer 10

Is the garage temperament controlled? If not, then it is NOT appropriate to put the rats in there. They can get heatstroke quickly, and it can be fatal.

Either have them in your room, or find a friend to care for them until you're done staying at your parents' house.

Answer 11

It's a pretty bad idea. There is a risk of death due to extreme temperatures and exposure to toxic fumes (such as a car engine running). Even if they don't die, they will be miserable in a hot, stuffy garage for that long and could definitely get sick.