rat home - cage or tank?

[luckies4me]

Originally posted by wolfsoul
Rats have very sensitive respiratory systems and so they do better in wired caged because they are well-ventilated. I'd just make sure that the wires aren't too thin so that she doesn't get bumblefoot.

In all the many years I have kept rats I have NEVER had a rat with Bumblefoot and all my rats have been on wire cages. Bumblefoot is now thought to be mostly genetic, with animals having a predisposition of it running in the lines. I would not worry about Bumblefoot. Even if housed on a flat surface, if any animal gets a cut and staph bacteria grows they will get Bumblefoot anyway.

As far as the tank, considering she is hairless a large enough tank would be just fine for one rat. I usually do not recommend tanks, but with a large tank cleaned fairly often it should cause no trouble at all. Her having no fur and no furred company does make me a little concerned she may be getting cold, which is why I think the tank may be best until you get her a friend. Or, you can add lots of baby blankets or other snuggly items so she can warm herself. I know my doe Wrinkles can get cold fairly quickly, which is why she is constantly looking for clothes to steal and bring into her cage. If she has none, she actually bundles up her bedding in her mouth and brings it to the top shelf so she can have something to keep her warm.

Tanks are not as bad as people make them out to be and they do serve a purpose. If the tank is large enough you are getting a good amount of air circulation. Granted, not as much as having the rat in an open cage, but they should do just fine. I've known many people who keep rats in large tanks and none have had serious health issues from it at all. I use tanks for all my mothers and babies, and they stay in them for 6 weeks, and not once have any of my does suffered side effects. The key is good hygiene. Tanks are also great for quarantine as well, which if you keep her in the cage and decide to get her another rat, it would make a great quarantine cage in itself.

As far as tank toppers are concerned, a ten gallon with a tank topper is much too small for one rat, let alone two. I do not recommened tank toppers at all, unless they are powder coated. They tend to be very dirty, having the urine leak down the tank and it's a constant clean up. I use my tank topper for recently weaned babies who are unable to go into the bigger cages until they have grown some and are into their new homes, which isn't long. They do however, make larger tank toppers. They are fairly easy to make homemade and if you need help making one let me know.

As far as aquiring new rats I don't think you would have much of a problem with introductions if you take things slow, since she has had rat company before and girls usually get along just great. I just throw my new girls in together and have never had a problem. Just make sure the proper quarantine is done, as in another house with a different air space for at least two weeks, 4 is recommended. When that time comes and you would like more info on quarantine and intros just contact me.

Meanwhile, if you want to check out my cages online you can go here:
http://www15.brinkster.com/luckies4me/About_Us.html

Just scroll down to the bottom of the page. This is my Rattery site, and there are other things on there that may be of interest to you.


BTW, I am typing all this while my new ratty runs around under my sweatshirt!