My couple more rat questions...?

Question

My rat has wicked mad sharp nails? How do i shorten them or cut them? Do i or will they fall out?

And...

What would be the best accesories to add in my rat (my dumbo rat) cage? THANKS SOO MUCCH! :)

Answer 1

I use a tiny baby nail clippers and carefully do a few nails at a time while they sit on my lap. Its difficult. You have to be very careful not to cut the pink quick inside the nail. They still are painful after they are cut, because they are so tiny. Some people try putting rough bricks in the cage for them to wear their nails down on, which didn't work for me.

Accessories for the cage: Nesting box or box of shreded papers and fabrics to play in. Hammock. Dog rope toy for them to climb. 12" wheel. Box from a 12 pack of soda.

Answer 2

Some people like to raise the water bottle, then put a brick or pumice stone under it so the rat has to use that to get to the water. Using it every time files the nails. :] You can also clip them VERYY carefully!

I've found that hammocks and bird toys are the biggest successes! You can never have enough!

Answer 3

It suggest you attempt to try and cut your rat`s nails, especially if they are digging into your skin or/and giving you scratches.It may be hard because most rats may have not seen clippers before and get scared and plus it will be even more harder getting your rat to sit still! Your rat`s nails never full out even if you dont cut them.

Here is a few websites that will tell you how to cut your rat`s nails:

http://www.dapper.com.au/articles.htm#cl...

http://www.evergreenrattery.com/careguid...

http://www.ratfanclub.org/skin.html

There are many toys that you can add to the cage to provide stimulation for your rat and make your rats cage more interesting. I find the best toy/accessory is a hammock (if you have not already got one). My rat basically sleeps in it all the time! You can buy a hammock from a pet shop or even make your own. Bellow I have included instructions of how to make one, if you would like to.

Home made hammock:

You will need:

A piece of soft cloth

Some thin rope or thick string

Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut a hole with your scissors at each corner of the piece of cloth. You should have four holes.

2. Thread the string or rope through

3. Tie it the bars of the cage making sure it is in an open space.

Here is a list of some other toys:

Hammocks - hammocks are great and one of the best toys a rat could have! They love to snuggle up in it and keep warm. (How to make a hammock, thurther on)

Toilet rolls

Wheel

Paper bags - Rats love to shred and tear these apart.

Nest box - Tissue boxes are good for the rat to sleep in. If you want, add some old clothes/socks and even some tissue or paper towl to make it more comfortable.

Ladders

Toilet rolls

Tubes

Rope

Cat toys

Wine corks

Paper bags - rats love to shread and tear these apart!

Chew Blocks - you can buy these at a pet store. Some have many interesting colours or flavours!

Wood - make sure the wood is treated, not painted and non - toxic.

Pop Sticks

Carboard Boxes

Here is a few websites:

http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm#chewto...

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/careofrat...

http://hubpages.com/hub/Games_and_Toys_f...

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

http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/information/...

Good luck. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Just cut a short bit off the tip off the top of the nail and accessories http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/#Rat%20Toys

Answer 5

Well you could either clip the nails which could prove to be extremely challenging depending on your rat, or you could try sticking a large rock in the cage to try to get your rat to file them down naturally.

Hammocks and igloos are extremely good investments, also if you have a large enough cage a big wheel is fun too if your rat can get the hang of it.  My rat loved her wheel, but make sure it is a wheel big enough for a rat or else back problems could occur.