Should i set up my cage before i get my rat?

Question

i dont know if i should set up my cage before or after i get my rat? I want to make sure the food stays fresh and so does the bedding.

Also, what supplies should i get for my rat and information on what they need for them selves like how many houses or how many food bowls?

What is the perfect size cage for a rat?

Answer 1

I'm a big one for preparation, so personally I would get the cage and stuff before you get the rat. That way you will have his home all set-up and ready for him when you bring him home!

Good luck! =)  

Answer 2

rats are stupid and wild therefore they should be sent in the wild not locked up in a cage where they can't eat disinegrated bodies

Answer 3

Just set it up the day before.

You need a toy or two, a cage that's 2x3 or so, and the usual food/water arrangment.

Answer 4

3 CUPS

Answer 5

It's a great idea to set up the cage before you bring your new pet home.  Even just the day before is fine.  I would save the food and water though, until you actually have the little guy.  You can fill the dishes just after you put him in his new home.  Everything else ought to be fine if it's set up before hand.

Answer 6

I'm sorry, but you need a lot more reading up before you are even ready to think about bringing home a rat. Information like what kind of items or cage they need is must know way before you are onto choosing the actual pet.

With any animal, it is only the respnsible thing to do if you already know and pocess everythign you need for it. You don't need ot go to the extreme of putting all the pieces of the cage in place, you can do that right before you bring them home, but you do need to know what you actualyl need and buy it before hand for sure.

But before that, let me say that rats are NOT solitary. They NEED socialization form other rats. You must get a minimum of two, same sexed rats. A single will suffer social deprivation which will lead to further problems.

Okay, so basically, they need a vary large wire cage. Something made for ferrets or large parrots is perfect. You also need a bedding that is NOT pine or cedar as these are toxic. Aspen shavings, or paper based beddings are perfect. Food must NOT be a seed mix, but a lab bloc.Preferbly the most expensive one you can afford since the cheaper ones are that for a reason. And you need a bunch of hiding places. You don't need to buy these, just throw in some empty cardboard boxes. But you can get fancy things as well. I strongly suggest hammocks, like those for ferrets.

Please read these before buying anything!

http://members.aol.com/juliesrats/e4nind...

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

http://www.petratscanada.com/ratcare.htm

http://ratguide.com/

Answer 7

Well, depending on how long its going to be until you get your rat, I would suggest this;

If you're getting it in the near future (ie., two or three days; less than one week), then go right ahead and set up and decorate the cage. The food, however, I would suggest keeping out until you actually get your rat, because if left to sit around, can attract bugs, and that's never fun.

If you plan on getting your rat later (in a week or more), I would suggest setting up the cage around the time you're getting your rat. Those little carriers that you're given as a temporary carrier (from Petco or Petsmart) are just that; temporary, therefore shouldn't be used to keep the rat in there for a long period of time; the box is far too small to provide proper ventilation over long periods of time.

One house should be fine (I've given a bunch of my rodent pets a little hamster hut (which is an inexpensive, edible toy/home/treat), and they seem to love it. You could always go for a little igloo too, whichever you prefer.

Food bowls should be only one, though you could also hide the food as treats for the rat to find; its amusing watching a rat go through a sort of an obstacle course to be rewarded with a treat :D

Answer 8

Why do u want rats?

Answer 9

Yes, please do set up a cage for your rat before it comes home otherwise where will you put it.

As you obviously don`t know too much about rats and how to take care of one, I advise you read my write up on basic rat care.

A rats Life

Rats are cute, affectionate, loving, cuddly little creatures and are much easier to take care of than dogs. You may want to buy another rat (which I recommend you should) because they are very social and like a little friend to cuddle up to and groom them. But just remember to be a loving and caring owner by:

1. Giving them lots of cuddles and kisses.

2. Make sure they get their exercise (my little girls run around the house). Exercise should be about 30-60 mins a day!

3. Make sure they have a nice healthy diet and clean water.

4. Take them to the vet when they get sick and make sure you do everything you can to help them.

5. They don’t live long so make sure you give them a happy life.

RATS LIFE

A cage: A decent sized cage (with NO wire floor, or if it does have one, take it out if you can) for the rat so she has enough space because remember rats get bigger!! Make sure you clean the cage once a week to stop it from smelling.

Food: Buy some food and bowl especially for rats at your nearest pet store and a couple of little treats so they will feel happy. Fresh vegetables and fruit are also very healthy treats for your rats. Make sure you clean out the rat’s food bowl every week!

There are a few types of foods you can feed your rat. The most popular type is lab blocks. Many people like to feed these as the rat’s staple diet as they will not pick out what they like unlike rat mixes. There are many different brands of blocks. A good quality one would have to be Harlan Tekland and is used by many people and contains high quality ingredients. Rat blocks are not a very easy thing to find if you live somewhere other than America so rat mixes should be given. A lot of people think rat mixes are not nutritionally complete and balanced and that rats have a hard time digesting what’s in it as some mixes contain corn or alfalfa. Some people agree that rat mixes are good and that rats will get bored of having rat blocks and that you will have a hard time trying to get you rats to eat it. Some people also think that it is not a good idea to give rats rat blocks as they are tested on lab rats. Either one is good, I recommend rat blocks but if they are not available where you live there are other options like rat mixes or even make your own homemade rat diet. I recommend Sue bee’s ray diet or Debbie Ducommun rat diet.

Make sure that you supply fresh vegetables and fruit daily or every 2-3 days. This should make up 20% of their diet. Some fruits/vegetables you can feed your rat are: Blue berries, apple, carrot, tomato, broccoli, Bok choy, lettuce (not ice burg as it has not nutritional value), strawberries, melon (honeydew, watermelon), cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cucumber, zucchini, banana, sweet potato (must be cooked), potato.

Please do not feed your rat green bananas, carbonated drinks (rats can not burp!), raw bulk tofu, raw sweet potato, orange juice (forbidden for male rats only), raw beans, green potato skin and eyes, wild insects (contain diseases), onion, hot spices and citrus fruits.

You may also like to feed other snacks like tofu, unsalted cracker, milk, a small amount of cheese, table scraps, cooked lean meats, muesli, oats, dried fruit, whole grain bread, sunflower seeds, porridge, cooked beans, no added sugar cereals or baby food.

Water: All you need to do is buy a water bottle from your nearest pet shop and refill everyday with clean fresh water and wash with warm soapy water once a week. Rat bowls are not the best as rats will tend to tip it over, kick sawdust into and urinate in it. Also if you want to, in the summer time you can put a little bowl of water in the rat’s cage for them to cool down.

Bedding: You can buy sawdust/wood shavings as your bedding from a pet shop but just remember to see if it’s OK to use for rats. But I suggest that you use cat litter which is recommended by my vet as it absorbs the rats’ urine and helps chest problems. Some other beddings you may like to use are Carefresh, Aspen or Yesterday`s News. Just remember never use pine or cedar as bedding.

Toys: Toys for you rat are great for when you are not around to play with them and can amuse them in the meantime. You can either make your rats some toys or you can buy some from a pet shop. The toys I would recommend to keep your rat happy would be; A large rat house from a pet shop, a hammock, chew toys so they can gnaw there teeth to help the teeth not to grow too long, a wheel, tubes and a ladder but its up to you what you do!

Below I have included a list of toys you make like to buy or even make for your rat.

Toys (general):

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

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 towel to make it more comfortable.

Ladders

Toilet rolls

Tubes

Rope

Cat toys

Here is a list of chew toys. Make sure you provide some sort of chew toy in your rat’s cage, so they can gnaw their teeth down, otherwise they may become overgrown.

Chew Toys:

Dog Biscuits - make sure they are low in protein and please try and get high quality brands.

Nuts In Shell (Pecans, macadamia, walnuts, hazelnuts)

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

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

Cooked Bones - Not only is it extra nutrition but it also exercises the rats teeth! Make sure you do not feed "splintery" bones such poultry or fish. Fish bones can be too small and very sharp and might get lodged down the rat’s throat and cause death. Beef and chicken are good.

Cardboard Boxes

Wine Corks

Pop Sticks

Baby Teething Rusks

Here is a few websites that will give you more information and ideas.

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/...

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.

Below is a list of games you may like to play with your rat.

Games To Play Games With Your Rats:

Tickling: Lay your rat on it’s back and give him a good old tickle.

Hide and Seek: Put your rat in a room. Go count to 10-50. Then go and find them.

Bundled Blanket: Bundle your rat in a blanket and let him explore and find his way out.

Rat Ride: Get into a position like a donkey (get on your hands and knees). Put your rats on your back and go around the house.

Tug Of War: Get a piece of rope or string. Put it near the rat and let him go to it and pull it. Grab the other end and pull it swell. Only let your rat win sometimes!

There is also many other games!!

This is just some basic information but I suggest that you buy a rat book or find information on the internet so you are prepared!!! Make sure you do this if you want a healthy rat.

I recommend these web sites which will give you a lot of information and stuff on rats.

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

http://www.dapper.com.au/

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

http://www.ratfanclub.org/

http://www.freewebs.com/ryansrodents/rat...

A book that I would also recommend is "The Proper Care Of Fancy Rats" by Nick Mays. It is an excellent book everything you need to know about rats, diet, cage, breeding, diseases/sickness and much more.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 10

We have owned pet rats for over 20 years now as they make fantastic pets. They need very little care but they do need a clean cage with cedar chips at the bottom and a water bottle at all times and rat food. Also give him a small treat once a day such as a piece of fruit or a cracker or something. Also clean the cage once per week and make sure that he or she always has fresh water and fresh food.

I also give mine a bath once per week in the bathtub in luke warm water and I do use baby shampoo on his fur so his eyes do not burn if shampoo should get into his eyes. Also, pay attention to him and let him run around. But they do like to chew on electric cords so watch him good.

Answer 11

depends on how long its going to be before you get the rat.