You are here:
Pet Rats/Rat
Advertisement
Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have my rat in a rabbit cage and think its just too boring because it has no levels yet it still has a lot of floor room. There is though a little house for him that he sometimes stands on so he probably would like more things to climb on. Do you have any suggestions of what I can add to the cage that he would enjoy and be able to climb on?
ANSWER: You can buy big PVC pipes from the plumbing store and hang them (make sure they are big enough for the rat to turn around in)
Or using one of those thick mailing tubes cut in half and hang it up for the rat to climb in and stand on! Make sure the rat cant strangle on anything you use to hang stuff with. I use zip ties for much of my stuff.
Add boxes of different sizes to climb in and out of too. You can tape them together and make a castle out of them with doors and windows cut out. I have seen people take tree branches or buy branches used for bird cages and extend them accross the cage for the rat to climb on. They have awesome balance!
Have you thought about buying a hammock for him?
I have a better idea!!!! :)
since he sounds like he lives alone, the one thing that would perk up the cage and make him happiest, even more happy than having things to climb on, would be to have another rat of the same sex of of course) and they could climb all over each other, wrestle with each other and cuddle with each other!!!
Hope this helps!
Check out my website for more ideas for cages etc....
http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/gettingstarted.htm
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Oh the reason he doesnt have another rat in with him is because he for some reason ALWAYS wants to bring on a fight with any rat he meets. He just doesnt seem to calm down when there is another rat around. The fights arent just playing around because one time there was blood in one of the fights the rat had when I wasnt around. Yeah so I cant really get him a friend, it just seems that he's a loner rat.
Oh I see, gotcha! I have had a feel rats that wanted to live alone, both male and female. Some rats just want to do their own "thing"! Its not real common but there are rats (like yours) that prefer to be alone and he lets you know it by fighting any new cagemates!
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Sandra Todd
Expertise
Please refer to my website, Sandys Critter city. Click the link below. Should it fail to take you to my website, please just go to sandyscrittercity.com. There may be alot of information for you that may help with your problems so please refer to my site as well as asking me whatever it is you are interested in knowing. I am here to assist you the best that I can in most areas concerning your rats! Critter City As one of the top experts here at allexperts for 2008, I am happy to be able to help advise others on the proper care of pet rats. I am a rat care specialist/advisor for area vets (I am NOT a Veterinarian nor do I imply that I am in any way) and have 20 plus years experience working with rodents. I can advise you on the most current treatments available to your rat for common and also complicated ailments that seem to affect domestic rats during their life time. I do telephone consults and have even had some wonderful Vets call me to compare notes/stories. I also have training in animal behavior with the main focus being the study of rodent behavior. I also have experience with wild rats, raising one myself.
Experience
My expertise
Includes the following:
1. Education on prevention of tumors, lung and heart disease and disease of the kidneys too.
2. Up to date treatments for tumors in rats,both benign or malignant tumors.
3. The most current treatments used successfully to treat lung and heart disease
4. Prevention and treatment of the mycoplasma organism that our rats are plagued with since the day they are born, among other common ailments that attack our rats, just to name a few.
My job as a rodent consultant is to educate the owner on proper care of the animal but in no way does my advice take the place of seeking professional treatment by a qualified Veterinarian.
However, I will contribute to this site by answering your questions about raising pet rats and any problems that may arise regarding their health, diet, husbandry and over all well being of the rat to **the best of my ability.**
Organizations
I maintain my website, Critter City and update it often to keep up with current treatments concerning pet rat health care. Please click the link above to take you there!
Publications
My own website of course, and also I have brochures on rat care that are found in various animal clinics in my area. I have also written an article for a rat and mouse magazine focusing on surgery on rats. The magazine is a UK based magazine.
Education/Credentials
I am a member of the ASPCA.
Awards and Honors
Was honored by being chosen to be one of the top 50 experts of 2008
Past/Present Clients
My past clients have been through various animal clinics and I also am mentor to new rat owners that reach me through here and my website too.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.