Friday, February 5, 2010

2 questions:My rat chews on her cage. Also what can I do to make my rats have more fun?

Any suggestions


Its a wire cage


and i gave her a carrot but that didnt even help


I have 2 so2 questions:My rat chews on her cage. Also what can I do to make my rats have more fun?
I have three suggestions for you:


1. Try to find an area of your house (like a bathroom) from which there is little or no chance of escape, and let her play! Rats are highly intelligent, but without preaching about it, just know that they do get bored (about 75% of the reason for the chewing) and they actually don't need much to be happy. Running around in a small supervised room once a day will make her very happy!


2. If there's absolutely nowhere for her to be safe and run, just hold her and play with her at least twice a day and put things like thick plastic containers in the cage (hanging a modified apple sauce container from the ceiling with zip ties seems to make even the most persistant chewers happy). Nuts in the shell are alot of fun too; the grocery stores have them this time of year.


3. The BEST way to make a rat happier and have more fun is to get her another playmate. They are very social creatures as well, but they don't always get along perfectly with one other rat (age or personality differences) and IF you have room for it, the more the merrier! = )


You just kind of have to try things. Different rats like different activities, but when you find what she likes it will be worth it!2 questions:My rat chews on her cage. Also what can I do to make my rats have more fun?
Get some gnaw sticks. That would help you with both issues! The reason they are chewing on the cage is because they want something to chew on. If the carrotts didn't work, than they just don't like them. Don't freak, just try to offer as many veggies as possible and by some gnaw sticks. They have them @ petsmart and petco. Try looking in the hamster treat section!





Hope this helped!
She is probably bored. Maybe you and your rat should have a supervised play time. Also you can add more toys to the cage. Change the toys around because it would keep their mind sharp. Maybe you can give her some chew toys also. Anyways she is just bored and needs things to chew on!!! hoped this helped.





Here is a website:





http://curiosityrats.com/
My rats love to chew on their cage! It's cuz they need to grind down there teeth because they will grow very long, in case you haven't noticed. It's ok for them to do this, if you want you can go out and buy them a chew toy that you can put on the cage.


Oh and also to let them have more fun let them run around your room, but DO NOT GET A BALL! Rats hate it, i've tried so it's a waste a money.
don't worrie your rat is just trying to get out but eventually she will stop and also you could buy a ball for her and let her roll around or take her out in the summer.
OK try this get a pice of wood and drill some holes in it and put peanut butter and some of there other kinds of treats in there and it will give them something to chew on and also give them something to do
Chewing on her cage: give her some more items to chew on. Bird toys made of wood (with no plastic balls or beads on them) make great cage toys and also dress up a cage. Rats love to chew on them. Cardboard is a great play toy for rats, especially if the cardboard is a box filled with non-toxic paper or other fun items that are safe.





I did want to post here to let you know that peanut butter is not okay for rats as another poster stated. Please check the forbidden foods chart for other foods that are not okay and the reasons why http://www.petratscanada.com/forbidden_f鈥?/a>





If you want some incredible toy ideas, head to this site: http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm#beanba鈥?/a> You can make most yourself and rats love it.





If you have any further questions, feel free to email me!





Good luck!


=)
I know how you feel. My rat does the same too.


He wants to escape because he is missing something.


I recommend that you play with your rat or buy some toys


for him or buy snacks that they sell at the pet store.


I did the same thing with my rat and it worked.


And also if you just had him, give him some time so


he can get used to the place. I hope it goes well for you.


Good luck
ur rat wants to be out and play...try haveing him/her out more often and have a ramp for them to climb rats love to climb





here is a care sheet





Is a rat right for you?


Rats make extremely good family pets; they are very intelligent and become quite tame with regular handling. There are many different colour variations available such as white, black, agouti and chocolate. Rats are not very expensive to keep, but you should buy the largest and most interesting cage you can afford. Rats live, on average, between two and two and a half years.





Where are rats from?


Fancy rats are descendants of the brown rat, which are thought to have originated from Asia. The keeping and breeding of fancy rats became popular in the early 1900s. As a result of captive breeding there are now many different colours and coat types, such as the Rex and even Hairless!








Where should you keep a rat?


Rats need lots of exercise and stimulation, so buy the largest cage you can afford. There are many different types of rodent cages available, however it is essential that the cage you buy is designed for rats and not for smaller rodents such as hamsters. Perhaps the most suitable type of enclosure is either a large wire multi-level cage or an aquarium with a well ventilated, secure lid as rats are extremely agile and can jump up to two feet or more! The minimum size cage for one rat is 60cm x 37cm x 22cm.





You should provide your rate with an entertaining environment. Suitable items include apple tree branches, rocks, tunnels and pieces of rope. Nesting boxes suitable for birds can also be provided. The base of the cage should be covered with a layer of wood-shavings. Sawdust should not be used as it is too fine and can irritate eyes and noses, and cedar wood-shavings can cause an allergic reaction.





You can also provide your rat with paper nesting material for him to nest with. Straw is not suitable as bedding as it is too sharp and may injure your pet鈥檚 eyes and mouth.





The cage should be cleaned at least once a week with hot water and a disinfectant suitable for pets. Rats are very clean and normally do not smell. Your rat will normally use one area of his cage as a toilet; this may need cleaning daily to reduce any smell.





Breeding


Female rats are capable of breeding at an early age. She can breed from as young as 6 weeks, but should be at least 12 weeks;


Pregnancy lasts between 21-23 days;


Average litter size is 8, but can vary up to 18;


The young rats鈥?eyes will open between 12-15 days;


The young can be removed from their mother at 4 weeks of age.





How to handle your rat


When you first get your rat home it is best to leave him alone for the first day or two, to allow him to get used to his new home. Allow your rat to sniff your hand before you handle him, this will help him get used to your smell. Gently stroke your rat in his cage to reassure him, once the rat allows you to do this he will normally allow you to pick him up. The rat should be gently scooped up with two hands, never pick him up by his tail. Once your rat becomes tame he will enjoy coming out to play at regular intervals.





Remember your rat likes to chew, so whenever you let him out of his cage he must be supervised at all times.





Keeping your rat fit and healthy


Rats normally stay healthy throughout their lives. However, they can be prone to a number of common complaints, most of which can be avoided with correct care and attention.





Rats can be prone to breathing problems; if your rat starts sneezing and is scratching excessively and there are no signs of mites this may mean your rat is allergic to something. Cedar wood-shavings can sometimes cause allergic reactions in rats.





Your rat鈥檚 teeth are constantly growing, and if they become too long he may be unable to ear properly. Signs that your rat鈥檚 teeth may not be growing properly are weight loss and a reluctance to eat and chew. Providing your rat with treats and a mineral block will help him to keep his teeth in trim. If your pet鈥檚 teeth do become overgrown you must take him to your vet.





What do rats eat?


Rats in the wild are scavengers and will eat a wide range of foods. In captivity you should provide your rat with a varied diet. The basis of a good diet should consist of a dry rat mix containing a mixture of seeds, peanuts and biscuits. This should be supplemented with cooked egg and washed and dried vegetables such as sprouts, carrots, cress, tomatoes and apples.





Feed bowls should be sturdy earthenware bowls as they are heavy, gnaw proof and easily cleaned and disinfected. Uneaten food should be removed daily, and the food bowl thoroughly washed. Remember your rat will drink a lot compared to other rodents so make sure clean, fresh water is available at all times.





Do rats like company?


Rats can be kept singly providing that you give them lots of human contact, care and attention. However, they are probably happiest kept in pairs from a young age 鈥?but remember, mixed sexes will breed very quickly, if not neutered








hope this helps

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