Rat Shopping list, what else do I need?

Question

Hi,

I'm getting two rats soon and I've got my list ready, is there anything that I missed?

Large Cage

Run-About Ball

Food

Bedding (it's not pine)

Yogourt Chips

Water bottloe (the cage doesn't have one)

Do you think I missed anyhting?

Answer 1

Nope your good, remember to take them out alot though or else they start biting.

Answer 2

little tunnels.. wood toys because they need to chew.. and even little ferret hammocks if your cage is big enough... but for sure lots of toys.. o ya... rats love to swim too!! i take my rats outside for a swim day!!!

Answer 3

nope your good. but you could give them some bedding materials like toilet paper or toliet paper rolls to chew and crawl through

Answer 4

hmmmm

you might wanna get a bowl for the food

a wheel so they can exersize.....

and i thinks thats aobut it =)

Answer 5

Alright, well you could have been more specific if you wanted some opinions. What -kind- of cage, and what -kind- of food? There are so many that are terrible for rats! You need to have the right kinds. The cage must be wire, and have solid floors and levels (as opposed to mesh floors/levels). It should be roughly 2'x2'x2' in dimensions. You should not use a tank. As for food, just make sure it is in bloc form. Absolutely NO seed mixes!

Also, pine is not the only toxic bedding. Pine and cedar both should never be used. So no pine OR cedar. Aspen is a better choice since some rats are allergic to carefresh.

Another thing, I can't even imagine putting my own rats in exercise balls. They are so curious and trusting. They -need- to be able to interact with their environment. Forcing them to walk around in a ball will only frustrate them. My rats run around a small, rat-proof room and come when they ar called. Daily out-of-cage time is absolutely necessary for at least an hour, but they should not be in a ball.

Next, rats -need- lots of hiding places. I would normally provide empty card boxes so I don't have to spend too much money. These are fine and the rats can chew them. I also strongly suggest hammocks! Like those for ferrets. All my ratties love cuddling up in them, so cute :)

And lastly, you did not mention a food dish. This will make meals cleaner.

That should be it, have fun with the ratties :D

EDIT: Great :) The food is just fine. The cage however is not too great. As I said, rats must have solid floors and levels to walk on. The cage in the picture has a mesh floor and levels. This is absolutely not safe. Can you possibley get a different cage? Otherwise, you can cover those surfaces with a layer of cardboard, coroplast, or blankets. Also, maybe it was just the picture, but it looks really, really small. Like for hamsters. Rats need large cages, such as those you would get for ferrets or chinchillas. Males especially will fight if they are cramped in a small cage, so you need a large enough one. Do you know the demensions of the cage?

Answer 6

you don't need a ball. rats normally don't like them. toys. veggies of course. hide outs. and be very cheap with the yogurt drops. extremely sugary. veggies and fruits, pasta, low fat/sugar cereals are better treats.

Answer 7

Toys are good too. Try wood chews, bird toys, or toilet paper rolls.

Answer 8

nope ur all clear

Answer 9

Good job on figuring out what you need for your rats!! :D MAKE SURE THE CAGE ISNT PLASTIC!!! I bought this cage:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

...They chewed right through it and escaped 3 times! Which horrified me all 3 times because they chewed on all my stuff and dragged my undies under my dresser where they made a nice little nest and toilet. He he he, but they're really really sweet pets. Once you get to know them and take them out for about an hour each day they'll love you and they make great pocket pets. They smell if you don't clean their cage once a week so beware. Make sure the bedding isn't cedar either because that is also toxic to any rodent. Even though you have a ball, I've heard rats hate them but you can try it anyway! Some rats do like them. Same with a running wheel if you have one. Yogurt chips are an awesome treat for once in a while, because 1 they are fattening and 2 rodents aren't supposed to have dairy so only supply 1 or half to them about once or twice a week. I'm so glad you know that you have to get a companion for them! They will become very depressed without one. Make sure the 2 rats are from the same cage in the pet store other wise they will fight to the death. OH! And rats lovvvvve hammocks made out of soft fleece or clothe, these are sold at pet stores and can be attatched to the cage with metal hooks that come with it. Make sure the hooks aren't plastic, your rat will chew right through 'em. You can always look up home made toys on the internet or look at rat books in the library. Always make sure a rat isn't bored because, it's just not fun being bored!! Congrats! And good luck with your rats!!

OH WAIT!!! Since you might have been planning on a plastic cage, MAKE SURE you buy a metal one!! I prefer the Ferret Nation cage model 141 or something like that. It only needs to be the single one because it costs less and they dont need THAT much space.

Answer 10

TOYS!! They love to play, ferret toys and cat toys will suffice!!

Congrats on getting rats!! They are such wonderful pets!!

OH.....and make sure that they have something to chew on, for their teeth. Like wooden sticks (from pet store), or rodent salt licks.

Eh.... hate to sound like a jerk but that cages looks like a hamster cage, and definitely too small for two rats to live comfortably. Try the rat mansion, that's what I have for my rats, it has 5 stories and it is huge.

http://cgi.ebay.com/THE-5-STORY-RAT-MANS...

you can find them cheaper at a pet shop.