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Need RAT information - Just adopted a White Fancy Rat... By default.

Posted by wagerwitch • 6/03/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: care of rats, rat, white rats

My neighbor stopped me the other day...

She said her son's ex-girlfriend just moved out to another state, leaving her white rat there.

They were planning on giving it to some guy with a BOA - but figured they'd ask me (SUCKER THAT I AM) First.

So I, of course, take this little fat Rat home with me...

OK - here I am -- it's a VERY friendly rat.

I have been trying out feeding it everything except meat products... Fruits, crackers, celery, etc.

He's super human oriented - and he provides non-stop attention for my 3 cats.

He loves to cuddle with you and gives you kisses and licks your fingers when you pick him up.

He will sit in his cage and stare at you with adoring eyes until you come get him.

He knows words like UP --- and will stretch to get up... He will laydown on command and will rollover.

I know NOTHING about RATS.

I know that he pees ALL the time - everywhere he walks... IS THIS NORMAL?

How do I stop that? Are there Rat diapers?

(Don't laugh - it would be way cool for Rat Diapers... and if they don't make them - I'm gonna try to make them... )

Is there any special foods I should look for - or stay away from?

Are there any signs of sickness I should be aware of?

Are there any things I should make sure he doesn't get around?

HOW LONG DO THEY LIVE?

What kind of exercise can I get him?

Can he be in a cooler room (60 degrees f?)

Are there any places that have RAT toys - they are MUCH bigger than mice or hamsters.

Any side info would be cool.

He's White, with a small brown splotch in his nose area - pink nose - pink eyes.

VERY VERY friendly and seems very intelligent.

User Comments

6/03/09

crpitt

What kind of exercise can I get him?

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6/03/09

MissSuzie

Uh, feed it to a big snake?

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6/03/09

wagerwitch

ROFLMAO!

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6/03/09

polybore

PetLvr is your man for this.

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6/03/09

Stillthinking

You should get him a good size aquarium tank, the bigger the better with a mesh, locked top. Refresh the pine bedding often. Get him a big wheel to run in, it depends on how big he is. You should get him fancy rat food from a pet store and supplement it with fresh food. Gtally has a fancy rat. You should talk to him.

[reply]
1. 6/03/09
  
  wagerwitch
  
  Ooooh that is soooo right - I remember that.
  
  GTALLY where be ya?
  
  I can't find a RAT wheel - I've got hamster stuf here - gonna do some garage selling this weekend.
  
  ANd maybe hit the Salvation army or something - I live on an island in Alaska - so only way in is by plane or boat.
  
  Maybe something will be found there.
2. 6/03/09
  
  gtally
  
  Welcome to the wondrous world of rat ownership, WW. Rats won't like wheels or hamster balls. It scares the crap out of them. They pee because they are scent marking a trail so they can find their way back to their home or to you. And it is their way of saying that they think you are cool and that they belong to you, and vice versa. This is perfectly natural and just about the only drawback of rat ownership. I usually throw on some old clothes that I don't care about when I handle Pip. So I don't care about the pee. But if you can learn to live with that, the rat will sit on your shoulder like a parrot, groom your finger and be your new best friend. Also, I give my rat at least an hour a day of free time outside of his cage in my office, an enclosed room where he can't get himself into trouble or hurt himself, but can still satisfy his curiosity. Hope this helps. Shout me if you have any further questions I can answer. You'll find that fancy rats make for very gratifying pets.
6/03/09

robinj

I married a rat once he would pee in inappropriate places too wish I had known about that trap back then

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6/03/09

wagerwitch

Hey Gtally - do you think I could make him a diaper?

He's really cool - and really nice... But the pee is kinda icky... I could handle that part if it didn't smell - but it really does.

So no wheels eh?

Hmmm - I'll have to figure out where I can let him roam free - cause I have 3 cats - and the only place small enough would be the bathroom - where he wouldn't get hurt - or not have hidey holes.

He's really really friendly - and just adores me completely - I mean - sits there and looks at me constantly with his red eyes.

It's really kiinda sweet..

I just want tthe cats to lke him - so we can all get along - I haven't figured a way yet - he likes to jump at them. LOL!

AND THEY RUN!!!

LOL!

Too funny.

Anyway - thanks for the info.

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6/03/09

codesucker

Where's our resident expert, PetLvr?

I knew a girl who kept three rats. She loved them, kissed em and everything - they would just be in the room, she didn't even cage em.

So you saved the rat from a snake.. but now it lives with cats?

If he's eating out of your hand and cuddling and doing tricks this is an awesome rat. Rats make great pets from what I hear.

I bet one of the cats gobble him up one day.

[reply]
1. 6/03/09
  
  wagerwitch
  
  LMAO - thanks COde - I'll try hard not to let that happen.