Sorry to go back to the topic, just wanted to add my thoughts (no idea about the chocolate / coffee thing!)
My only pets are my two rats at the moment, and I don't think I could handle any more than that! I have found them more expensive than I thought they would be and they do take up a lot of time!
I bought a handmade cage from the pet shop for £35, it's plenty big enough for ratties and I even added a hamster cage on top to make it bigger (note: do not keep rats just in a hamster cage, they simply aren't big enough) but it is starting to rust in the corners now as rat wee (as I have now discovered!) is very corrosive, so you need to get a cage with coated bars.
Secondly, not to start anything, but I feed my two on reggie rat and train them with rotastak small animal treats and they occasionally get a treat of peas or a lick of something I'm eating that I think is suitable or rats (ie' not chocolate or anything salty/sugary...though I did give a tiny bit of mini cheddar each andthey went nuts for it...) Oh, and they love raisins and monkey nuts! So, as an inquiry not a prod for a disagreement, Reggie Rat is specifically designed for rats, how is this not good enough for them? What else do people feed them on?
Anyway...they do require a lot time investment. I give mine at least an hours free range play in my bedroom every day, plus additional cuddles. Money wise, once the cage is set up, you will probably need to replace toys and hammocks every so often as the rats chew them and break them...my two are so destructive!
Posted:
Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:54 pm
poppydog83 TopDog
Joined: Feb 07, 2007 Posts: 682 Age: 24 No.Of Pets: 7 Pet Types: 3 dogs,1 hamster and 3 rats
I was quite lucky with my rats,they were never very destructive,but linford (my hammy) is a little on the destructive side,however he has calmed down now,oh and is now a year old.
Going back to the rats though,i also fed mine on reggie rat,and never had a problem with my ratties
Posted:
Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:13 pm
rufftydlc Packleader
Joined: Feb 07, 2007 Posts: 287 Age: 13 No.Of Pets: 7 Pet Types: dogs,cats,guinea pigs, Cockatiel, rabbit
thanks all for the advice ____________ Frankie, Bindi, Buddy, Jack Baeur, Peter Pan, Ruffty Tuffty, Sox, Dexter,Tiger, Vilmaris, Run free at rainbow bridge Sunny, Betty, Flint and Jack Bauer
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Posted:
Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:05 pm
an1mal_l0ver Puppy
Joined: Jun 01, 2007 Posts: 29 Age: 21 No.Of Pets: 7 Pet Types: Dog, 3 guinea-pigs, rabbit, 2 rats
Rats are probably one of the only pets I've owned where I didn't feel worried about what I gave them to eat. If they like it and will eat then thats all that matters to me. Obviously I'd never give them something like curry or such like, but I think some pet owners are a tad too obsessed with what they feed their pets! The type that have them on strict diets and measure all their food out in cups those types of pet owners see it as hard work and high maintanance keeping pets lol
Plus, my ratlets are in a hamster cage right now, have been for a few months because they were too ickle for any bigger cage and they get a lot of outside run about time to stretch their legs, just incase anyone has a problem with that But next month my mums treating me to a flight cage with platforms for them now they're a lot bigger
Lastly, I didn't want to cause any upset to anyone but, I'm not a pathetic pet owner who goes by the books religiously and worries themselves over it all, they're rats, they'd eat whatever they could get hold of in the wild and their stomachs can adjust amazingly well if its done from an early age, trust me, I've seen it
Posted:
Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:35 am
Twig TopDog
Joined: Feb 14, 2007 Posts: 513 Age: 18 No.Of Pets: 10+ Pet Types: Dog, 2 rabbits and lots of fish!
I never said rats couldn't have treats anywhere, just not chocolate, chips or anything high in sugar or fat. If I had rats I'd feed them hard boiled egg, veggies, fruit, rice, pasta, nuts etc as those are beneficial treats. Also owners who go out of their way to ensure their pets health are not pathetic people they just want the best for their pets! I find that highly insulting as its aimed directly at me and you don't even know me.
For the record, I don't read books religiously as I don't trust books, they outdate too quick. Also I don't think my decision to not feed any animal chocolate makes me pathetic at all. ALl my pets get treats, but not of the chocolate/crisp kind.
As for eating what they fnd in the wild yes, but the average lifespan of a wild rat is significantly shorter than that of a pet rat so you can't go by that.
Nahatlie- Rat food generally isn't of good enough quality for rats, so I know of many rattie owners on various forums who prefer to make the shunamite diet.
Asho_DirtyPoo- There is theobromine in chocolate which is similar to caffiene which is what speeds up the heart and why if a dog eats a huge amount of chocolate the vet has to make it throw up if the dog doesn't itself. It was my bio teacher who pointed it out, however, I've been researching and it seems she is wrong, which wouldn't be the first time However, I still wouldn't feed it due to the theobromine. You can do as you please, but I still don't believe that it will do petchat any good to promote feeding chocolate to rats as all the top rat forums would be horrified.
Asho_DirtyPoo- There is theobromine in chocolate which is similar to caffiene which is what speeds up the heart and why if a dog eats a huge amount of chocolate the vet has to make it throw up if the dog doesn't itself. It was my bio teacher who pointed it out, however, I've been researching and it seems she is wrong, which wouldn't be the first time However, I still wouldn't feed it due to the theobromine. You can do as you please, but I still don't believe that it will do petchat any good to promote feeding chocolate to rats as all the top rat forums would be horrified.
Oh believe me, I am against any animals eating chocolate ever. Honestly.
I was just curious about that fact you stated - not curious about your position. I'm on your side! *lol*
Posted:
Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:14 pm
an1mal_l0ver Puppy
Joined: Jun 01, 2007 Posts: 29 Age: 21 No.Of Pets: 7 Pet Types: Dog, 3 guinea-pigs, rabbit, 2 rats
I never said rats couldn't have treats anywhere, just not chocolate, chips or anything high in sugar or fat. If I had rats I'd feed them hard boiled egg, veggies, fruit, rice, pasta, nuts etc as those are beneficial treats. Also owners who go out of their way to ensure their pets health are not pathetic people they just want the best for their pets! I find that highly insulting as its aimed directly at me and you don't even know me.
For the record, I don't read books religiously as I don't trust books, they outdate too quick. Also I don't think my decision to not feed any animal chocolate makes me pathetic at all. ALl my pets get treats, but not of the chocolate/crisp kind.
As for eating what they fnd in the wild yes, but the average lifespan of a wild rat is significantly shorter than that of a pet rat so you can't go by that.
I wasn't aiming anything at you, and I wasn't meaning it insultingly, its just some pet owners are pathetic and need to snap back into reality. If they want their pet to be on a strict diet and worry about their every consumption, then so be it, but I don't agree with that so to me, they're pathetic.
Eggs, mine have had scrambled egg before with me but my dad would go spare knowing I was feeding the rats with our eggs. They get mainly their own foods and treats that are specially made. Mine have had fish before and I asked my girlfriend if that was ok to give them and she said yes it was good for them. I don't think a bit of chocolate every morning and a small chip each week is really hurting her 3 yr old male rat, do you? lol but I was purely quoting what my girlfriend has told me what she gives her rats and I don't find anything wrong with it. She's got her head screwed on the right way and so do I. It's not as though I was saying that you can give rats a whole bag of chocolate eclairs to themselves!
And lastly, wild and fancy rats both have a life-span of around 3 yrs.
Posted:
Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:41 am
an1mal_l0ver Puppy
Joined: Jun 01, 2007 Posts: 29 Age: 21 No.Of Pets: 7 Pet Types: Dog, 3 guinea-pigs, rabbit, 2 rats
Yeah and churchill drank and smoked like it was going out of fashion and saw 80, doesn't mean being a chain smoker and an alcoholic is good for you
Food is more than £3 a month if you feed them the shunamite diet, basic rat food bought at stores isn't adequate.
They aren't high maintance in terms of a dog or rabbit, no, but do cost more than a hamster or gerbils. That was my point
You may also want to read that quote again about chocolate, at the end it says 'in an emergency'. You can do as you please with your pets, but I am finding it tiresome you posting things that go against what all the reputable sites and organisations say purely because you've done it and got away with it. Like I said, look at Churchill. This site was set up to inform others on proper petcare, and feeding any animal chocolate is not a good idea- FACT.
I know nothing about Churchill so wouldn't know either way about that one but don't you think its a little bit silly with pet owners, for instance cat owners who feed their cats all this posh food in tiny tins, only for the cat to go outside and chase, kill and eat voles???
You have to remember that they're still rats, no matter how "modified" they are, they're still related to their wild cousins and therefore I see no problem with giving human food to animals.
I'm not giving information that is wrong. I know my facts are correct because funnily enough, I'm always correct if I stick to a point I'm making and this point I'm making I won't be shifting from
Posted:
Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:22 am
Twig TopDog
Joined: Feb 14, 2007 Posts: 513 Age: 18 No.Of Pets: 10+ Pet Types: Dog, 2 rabbits and lots of fish!
Look animal_lover I'm getting bored of this debate, Like I've said before- you can feed whatever you like to your pets, just don't promote feeding chocolate on a forum, there are probably a thousand sites out there which say no chocolate for rats. Just because you've had a fine experience doesn't mean others will. Its like saying feed your dog raisins as treats because my dog is fine and is 16, despite grapes and raisins being deadly toxic to dogs. Just cause its fine for you and your pet, doesn't mean its right or that it should be promoted, thats all I'm saying.
I'm not even going into the pathetic part again, as clearly we differ on the meaning of pathetic.
Yes rats are related to their wild cousins, and I'm 100% FOR feeding human food, heck my dog is raw fed with human grade meat and my rabbits eat more fruit and veg than me and when I had hamsters their diet was practically human food. However, not all human food is fine, that was my point Also, I'd highly, HIGHLY doubt a wild rat makes 3 years, its probably lucky to make 3 months. If rats made 3 years we'd be swarmed in a sea of rats. Wild rabbits live 6 months - 1 year on average yet as pets can see 12 years
Quote:
I know my facts are correct because funnily enough, I'm always correct if I stick to a point I'm making
As Hitler stuck to his point that Jews were evil, guess that makes him right too then? Sorry, but that is such an ignorant statement, sticking to a point and getting your own way doesn't make someone 'right'
Posted:
Sat Mar 08, 2008 2:32 pm
fern Newbie
Joined: Aug 28, 2008 Posts: 2 Age: 17 No.Of Pets: 10+ Pet Types: dogs,cats,hamsters,ferrets,rats
Going back to topic, there is definitely more to thier care than you might at first think.
When I got my first rat when I was a teenager, I did it all wrong. I followed advice from a book, which is now well outdated, which gave awful advice!
Common rat misconceptions and how to tackle them:
Sawdust makes a good bedding for the cage floor WRONG! Sawdust / woodchips and anything made from soft wood (pine trees etc) gives off phenols which can play havoc with a rat's respiratory system, which as any rat owner will know, is very delicate!
Rat diet can be made of human leftovers WRONG! They, like any animal need a good diet which is guaruntees they get all the right vitamins and food groups. The shunamite diet is great, and won't put you out of pocket. Commercial foods like Reggie Rat are not considered to provide a balanced diet, it is best to make your own mix up. Basically, the shunamite diet (see the information section on www.fancy-rats.co.uk) is a mixture of high quality rabbit food, cereal, dry pasta, small amount of dog kibble and fruit and veg.
Rats are best kept in a large aquarium WRONG! get the biggest cage you can afford (again, visit the afore mentioned rat website for space per rat guidance, I think it's 2 cubic feet per rat. There is a cage calculator on there which will tell you how many rats the cage can house at max)
Rats can be kept alone as long as you spend lots of time with them WRONG! Rats are higly social cretures and NEED to be kept with thier own kind. After all, I'm sure anyone here wouldnt like to be the only human in the world!
Buy rats from pet shops WRONG! Back yard breeders (uncredited / imoral breeders) and rodent farm breeders (horrible, mass breeding conditions) supply pet stores, and it's just wonrg to support that when there are so many rats needing a good home out there (again, visit the fancy rats website and check the rehoming list, there is actually a big surge in the number of rats needing homes at the moment with some rat rescues at bursting point)
Just wanted to dispell the myths which commonly surround rat care!
Also, they need at least 1 hour of "free range" time and some cuddles throughout the day.
If you do put in the effort, you will have happy, healthy contented rats and they do make excellent pets.
Posted:
Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:21 pm
shadylady TopDog
Joined: Dec 21, 2006 Posts: 1490 Age: 22 No.Of Pets: 10+ Pet Types: dog 2 hamsters 2 snails 2 guinea pigs 3 cats and 6 rabbits
Oh wow, I just realised I have already posted on this topic a long time ago! When I got my two girls a year ago, I did start with feeding them on Reggie Rat, but that was ages ago! I didn't realise how old this thread was! However, I have since found the fancy-rats website and now I know a lot more and have changed a lot about my ratties lives for the better! (plus they have a bigger cage, and I've got a rescue rat boy for the girls now who they both love...don't worry, he is neutered!)
They are kept on megazorb, a lovely soft bedding substrate, and they are fed more veggies, and most importantly, they are fed the shunamite diet.
I agree with Twig, you're not pathetic for wanting a good diet for your animals! It takes hardly any effort to prepare the shunamite diet (just 10 mins to make up the mix, mix it up and voila, you have a lovely mix which will last a long time without a trip to the pet shop!) At least you know it's the best possible diet for them, and if they do get ill, it's not because you fed them an unsuitable diet. As for "rats in the wild eat anything..." again, I agree with twix, rats in the wild will live a significantly shorter life. Plus, if you go by that, dogs in the wild would hunt in a pack, and people at home generally don't own a pack of dogs and provide a wild animal for them to hunt! Nutrition is a massive area of science, and it's so important to feed yourself and your animals the best possible diet.
As for books, I don't do my animal care "by the book" because they are rubbish! Most books on rats have outdated information, so I hope no rat owner goes by that!
As for the hamster cage, I just hope it's a really big one! Chinchilla and ferret cages make good housing for rats, the bigger the better and the more climbing space the better!
I hope that people appreciate what we do for our pets, and there is nothing wrong with wanting the best for them. Cheap, low grade food generally means poorer quality, and as animal lovers on here, who'd want to compromise their health like that?
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those types of pet owners see it as hard work and high maintanance keeping pets lol
But next month my mums treating me to a flight cage with platforms for them now they're a lot bigger 
However, I still wouldn't feed it due to the theobromine. You can do as you please, but I still don't believe that it will do petchat any good to promote feeding chocolate to rats as all the top rat forums would be horrified.
