Rats! *Pics Added!*

[critter crazy]

Okay after spending most of the day Reasearching, I have decided that we might build our own rat house. The aquarium idea just dosent sound feasable. So I have looked at many options, and have gotten quite a few ideas. I have made up some simple plans. What do you think??



The doors will be woden framed, with wire mesh. We have left over lumber here, so it realy shouldnt cost us too much.

it would be roughly 5 feet tall, 3 feet wide and 2 feet deep.

[Christmas_Hamster]

That cage should be plenty of room! So you are going for a Grotto style cage? Cool! It was what some people call these cages. There will be so much room for toys and stuff, I love decorating the rats cage yours would be fun.

Good luck!

[critter crazy]

Thanks!! Hubby seems to like it better as well!! Of course he will be the one building it as I just aint that good at this stuff! LOL!! It will be made out of Oak, so it should look pretty good. Hubby wont allow plywood or anything! We are going to be putting casters on the bottom of it, so we can move it around. I am realy excited to get started!! I cannot wait till we are able to get our first Rats!!

[IRescue452]

Thought I'd add my own two cents.

Breeds: Yep, only one breed, many varieties. Only the hairless needs a little extra consideration. Hairless and haired can be housed together. You'll be more concerned about males or females. Males get bigger and CAN be more calm (not always). Try not to be a hater of white rats if you post on any rat forums, you could be hurting feelings of others. Whites tend to be the first to go as feeders because people consider them boring. Besides, himalayans are born white and don't change for 8-12 weeks. The next white rat you see could be a himalayan baby.

Housing: People will argue to the death over aquariums. They are used for mother rats with small babies without harming the rats. Also, lab rats are kept in plastic tubs with only top ventilation. There isn't much real evidence that a properly kept aquarium is harmful. But its not ideal.
A wire cage should have 1/2" mesh, not 1". Shelves should be covered somehow so they aren't always walking on wire.

Litter: Kiln-dried pine can be ok if you use pine from a company that dries it properly. Phenols are believed beneficial to mammals, other hydrocarbons in the pine are harmful when not removed. I prefer to buy cheap fabric and make squares big enough for the cage floor. If you make 7 of them you can change them daily and wash at the end of the week. Smaller pieces of fabric serve as beds. Much cheaper in the long run then bedding.

Food: There are few foods rats can't have. I really don't like feeding anything with soy to my animals, especially rats. Do your research and see what food you find acceptable. Trying to push nutritional info on people would be like trying to get all dog owners to stop feeding kibble. I don't like harlan teklad, but its probably one of the best lab blocks made.

Other: Rats are expensive when they need vet care for respiratory infections. There are some things you learn as you go. For instance, I give my rats alcohol-free echinecia tea in their water bottles one day every two weeks to help with their immune system.
Boy rats like the wheel about as often as girl rats do. Don't exclude a great toy because people tell you their boys are too laxy for the wheel.
Quarentine new rats away from other rodents.

[critter crazy]

Awsome info thanks!!! We were going to be using fabric on the floors, and having them litter trained. So should be much easier to clean up. I am not a huge fan of picking up Pine Shavings! LOL!

I am not a hater of white rats, I would just prefer some color variety. I am sure I will end up with one, especially if I like the temperment! LOL!

Hubby has already squashed my idea of having hairless rats! LOL!! he says I am pusing the limit with rats as it is, he dosent want any naked ones! LOL!!

[Christmas_Hamster]

Yes but you could get a double rex. They are nearly hairless some of them are more furred then others, example:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...s/PICT0099.jpg

lol

I don't know I think the white ones are the cutest:


Good luck! Don't forget to put some sort of seal on the wood so that any urine or water doesn't ruin it.

[critter crazy]

Yes but you could get a double rex. They are nearly hairless some of them are more furred then others, example:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...s/PICT0099.jpg

lol

I don't know I think the white ones are the cutest:


Good luck! Don't forget to put some sort of seal on the wood so that any urine or water doesn't ruin it.

we were going to cover the wood on the inside of the cage with Shlf liner. That way it protects the wood,a nd it is much easier to clean. Seems alot of people have good luck with it!