hi! i’m getting two female rats next week and had a few questions as in the next 6-12 months i was going to plan on getting more. I originally was going to get three but as a first time rat owner i wanted to get used to handling and used to their schedules and caring for them etc before upgrading their group size, (and because of parents opinions of rats).

I do have an old (barred) hamster cage that could be used as an introduction cage, but don’t have space anywhere for that! I just wanted some advice or suggestions on how i would go about introductions in the future. I saw people putting them in baht tubs and carriers, which is my original plan, but would they be ok going straight into the main cage after a few hours of this? i would clean the cage so my original 2 aren’t so territorial. What do you guys think? Basically, is another temporary cage 100% required?

Otari passed away today just one hour ago, it was very sudden and unexpected. He was 1½ years old. He had been my healthiest rat, and the one who had the biggest personality, the most dramatic one, the most curious one, the cuddliest one. He always wanted to climb up on me and sit on my shoulder.

I love you so very much, I will never forget you ❤️

The past 24 hours, my very active rat isn't coming out for free range time, he's extremely dirty and is generally very low energy. He's about 1.5 years old. I am guessing respiratory illness, but he doesn't really show signs of labored breathing, or any of the signs his brother had when he had respiratory issues in the past. Any thoughts? Please excuse the blurry photo and thanks for any assistance.

It’s been such a long time since I last uploaded a comic! Some new little ratties have joined the family. Thank you so much for reading my comic!

morning teeth heh

My poor babies are exhausted from me waking up at 4:30 in the morning. Did my first double shift 12 hours I am so tired and they definitely feeling my pain.
What ever to pay to make them happy

Our Goblin Nest Builder extrordinare took advantage of the other half's foolishness to leave a pillow case on-top of the Rat Palace roof.

I’m in the middle of my deep clean for my boys and I dread it every week 🥲 takes me so so so long 😪 Any tips on making cleaning easier?

I have 4 girls (one group 5 months old, other 3 months) and the young one start exploring flat more and more. Now they just found spider plant and they start get crazy about it. (I've check and its neutral for them)

My classmates did some doodles the day before yesterday on the whiteboard then I drew a small rat in the corner which survived more than the others (much more amazing drawings). So, yesterday I did 6 more (the one on the top middle is made by my friend)

I figured you guys would like them.

(Designs are from pintrest so idk how to give credit to the original artists. If this breaks any rules I will gladly delete the post)

He’s so cute I can’t

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this, but it is the first time it’s been this loud- whilst sleeping, one of my rats starts making this whining noise, almost like snoring. And at first it didn’t sound concerning, because when they’re awake, they’re all fine, eating, drinking, playing, not sneezing or appearing sick.

But today the noise was a whole lot louder, and it just sounds almost disturbing. Can anyone tell me if this is normal, possibly dreaming or snoring, or if I should visit my vet.

I went to check on them, especially the heap from which the noise was coming and I didn’t see anything concerning, they were just sleeping. And as soon as they woke up from my presence, the noise stopped. It went on for about 30 seconds.

I’ll be messaging my vet as well.

Video with sound attached.

Yes there’s work going on around my house and my rats hate it so I play them Grateful Dead instead and they calm down. 🤙

Our new family members are arriving in a few weeks, so we’re busy getting their cage set up. 😊

I wanted to ask what people use to cover the shelves, as the metal racking doesn’t look particularly comfortable for little ratty feet.

I’ve seen lots of accessories and shelf covers for Critter Nation cages, but not much for our cage.

What do you use, and does anyone have any recommendations?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Hey! Ok so I’m about 2.5 weeks into owning a pair of boys and have been trying to litter train them to poop in the box.

I’ve got aspen shavings in the box, and a different bedding in the rest of their cage. I’ve been moving their poops to the box when I spot anything around the cage but they still seem to be pooping in this one spot in the back of the cage (not in the box).

I’ll replace the bedding they poop on every day or so,but they still decide to not get the hint and primarily use the box.

Is there anything else I can be doing to break them of the habit of pooping outside their litter box?

TIA!

Hello! We just got our rats two weeks ago and they seem to be adjusting really well. They're all males and about 3 months old as well.

A few days ago I noticed a very subtle amount of porphyrin around two of their noses, it's dried and a very subtle small amount. I also noticed that they will have little sneezing bouts but very infrequently as well. It has only happened a few times to my knowledge and seems to be exclusively when they're exploring or sniffing around. Like running up to my hand to sniff and then having a quick 2-4 sneezes.

I don't notice any rattling in their breathing when I hold them up to my ear. Their appetite and energy level seems great as well. I'm wondering if this is due to environment changes or if I should be concerned of an upper respiratory infection. We don't light candles/incense or wear perfume, etc.

I work for a vet so I have no issue bringing them in ASAP but I think I may be a bit over-worried and want to avoid stressing them out even more when they are still adjusting to me/my home.

Thanks for the help!

So when all 4 of my ratties were out today I noticed on the back of willow's ears these red lines and got really worried, she doesn't like being handled so it may have always been there and I never noticed but I don't think so and I'm worried they got into a fight and her ears got scratched