Which small critter for me?

[Hellow]

Here is an great article about care for rats: http://ratguide.com/care/

[Blackrose]

I talked to some STO owners on the internet the other day and they gave me some advice about them, and also a breeder's name and a petstore's name that sells them, so I'm not going to completely rule them out yet.

I think I'm going to stop by the petstore and see the STOs, just to get a feel for them.

I know for a fact that my mom wouldn't allow me to own a Rattie while I'm still living here, it may be where I buy an STO while I'm still here, and then when I move out and get my own place I'll buy some Ratties.

I don't know though. I'm going to do a little bit more digging around with both and see what I'll decide.

[Suki Wingy]

Good choice. Every time I come on here and see someone who's researching throughly about which animal is best for them I get really happy. I am so sick of the usually irrisponsible pet owners that when someone responsible comes around I just have to smile.

[Blackrose]

I know for a fact that my mom wouldn't allow me to own a Rattie while I'm still living here,

I stand corrected. I brought up the idea to her and she just gave me a look. It was the same look when I said, "On Saturday I'm getting a second Ferret." (Which turned out to be Dameon.) It means she isn't happy with it, but she'll go along with it.

I was thinking the other day about the STOs, and the only problem that I would have with them is they need a humid climate (around 75-80%) or they get all sorts of health problems. Generally not a problem, but it would be housed in my room and over the winter it is so cold (and in the summer it is so hot. ). I would be scared I wouldn't be able to keep the humidity level for them right, and I don't have a place to plug in a humidifier. I'd have to have the cage on my desk and that means the ferrets would be apt to climb it and terrify the thing.

So because of that, Ratties are now taking the #1 position. I spent some time with Freddie and Bonnie last night and they aren't faring well. Freddie has major bald patches on him and isn't as active, and Bonnie is having trouble walking. I'm predicting by the end of the year they won't be around any longer.

Christmas Ratties, anyone?

Now, I have a question. Rats need to eat a certain diet (Lab Blocks? Is that right?). Where can I buy that at? I looked at Petsmart, but they just had the seed mixes. I read somewhere that Ratties could also eat a high quality dog food (the example given was Senior Innova) and I do have access to that.
And I'd be planning on getting two Ratties. Can someone give me a rough outline of the expense needed to "start them up" and then the general amount in upkeep?

Thanks so much!

[Genny]

sorry, but what does STO mean??? I've just been wondering

[IRescue452]

STO= short-tailed oppossum

Ratties need variety moreso than a staple food. I give mine a little cat food, lab blocks from petsupplies plus (but I really hate Kaytee brands), and a seed mix as their dry staple right now. The seed mix is really for my mice, but the rats like some. They also get leftovers from our own meals; chicken, pasta, veggies, eggs. Anything that doesn't have much in the way of sugar and isn't completely made of processed goo.

The lab blocks cost $1.20/lb and a lb lasts a while. My mice go through more than both rats. Its hard to really estimate the price of things because I put my own dried peas, oats, and non-sugared cereals into the mix.

The cage is a big parrot cage from a thrift store for $10. Only one door and the bottom lifts off. Nothing too complicated because I don't want them finding out how to free themselves.

I use kiln-dried pine as bedding. America's Choice brand from the horse supply store (enough at a time for a horse stall). It costs me $4 for 7 square feet. I almost bought the walmart brand once and it smelt extra piney for lack of better words. I put it back because after 5 minutes of holding the bag, my arms broke out in a rash. It turns out that sometimes the chips aren't dried properly and that can really be bad, so you do have to be careful. I prefer wood over carefresh for mice and rats though because I think carefresh is more likely to give them respiratory infection.

I only have an igloo, the wood perch bars, and a little hammock for accessories in their cage. Rats aren't prone to playing with toys. They are like cats: the more money you spend on it, the less they want it. They ignore the big rat-sized wheel I have for my mice to play on during out of cage time for mice. They flip the igloo over instead of sleeping in it. When out of their cage, I'm the toy. They love to climb on me. They also like to tunnel in my blankets. They chew on clothing and slippers and towels when I'm not paying enough attention to them.

The only other thing I have for them is a brick and a ceramic tile. The brick so they can where down their nails a little in the cage. The tile so on hot days I can put it in the freezer and give it to them cold to lay on. Rats don't do above 80F well.

As an initial investment for two rats, I probably only spent $35. The cage is what can break the bank though and I got that cheap. The last thing I bought was a plastic tub to set the cage in so they don't kick bedding out.

[Suki Wingy]

Make sure if you want a sociable pet to get them young or from someone who's raised them since they were small. There is a huge difference. My brother holds his since their eyes open and they all LOVE people. If they've been riding on your shoulder for an hour and you put them back in their cage and come back 5 minutes later they'll do anything they can to crawl back up your arm and sit with you. We had a couple of himi girls that figured out how to twist open the little circle thingy on the top of the terrarium and get out.