What animals can be kept in a cage with rats?

Just wondering. I have two rats and im thinking about getting another one. But is there anything else that gets along with them?What animals can be kept in a cage with rats?
Do not put any other small animal in there. The rats will probably attack it. And win.





For multiple rats, you would probably want all girls. Boys usually don't get along together as well (unless you get them all at the same time), and both girls and boys tend to get along wayyy too well. Be sure to introduce the new one slowly to the others.What animals can be kept in a cage with rats?
Nothing. Each animal should have it's own seperate home...if you really care about their well being and not about collecting them.
Never could add anything except food in a cage with ratties unless it was a baby rattie. I put a baby rattie in thereand they were cool with her. All girls though. I would put in mealworms for food or crickets. Nothing else would survive. They would hunt it or kill it.
ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE RAT FOOD FOR THEM.
How about a boa constrictor?
not anything I know of
err possibly a girrafe?
I think you should stick to rats with rats!
Snakes, worms, etc.
It really depends on the temperaments of you rats. Did you buy both of them at the same time?

tvs

What are some cheap wall insulation materials that mice, rats, and rodents are less likely to nest it?

I plan to build a wall under my enclosed porch to keep the wind out and any heat in to help keep the heat in the porch. It's going to be at least 8 inches thick and I am considering fiberglass and foam-board.What are some cheap wall insulation materials that mice, rats, and rodents are less likely to nest it?
mice like fiberglass too. Seriously, I can guarentee you that mice (and my brothers hamster) both nest in fiberglass insulation. I would think maybe styrofoam, but i'm just a dumb blonde bimbo.What are some cheap wall insulation materials that mice, rats, and rodents are less likely to nest it?
Blanket insulation鈥攖he most common and widely available type of insulation鈥攃omes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep鈥檚 wool.
Well, if I were a rat, I preferred the foam-board.

How smart are rats, as compared to other animals?

Raven, porpoise, pig? Where do rats fit in?How smart are rats, as compared to other animals?
They are nearly as smart as a dog. In fact, Jack Hanna said they are the closed thing you can get to a dog in a small mammal. You can train them to perform tricks, go in a litter box, and sit on your shoulder.How smart are rats, as compared to other animals?
Rats definitely are smart, as to where they fit in.. hard to say exactly. Of rodents I think they are the smartest. I currently have 13 rats and they come when I call. I can get them to jump into my arms and do little tricks. They are my 'mini dogs'! hehe. :) They can learn many habits and behaviors, and recognize voices/sounds. I'm currently trying to litter train some babies, so hopefully that will go over well.
Okay, i have owned many rats, in fact i have one on my computer desk playing with a hat as i type this.Rats are extremely smart and can learn various types of tricks.They can be taught to pick pocket(My rat yin use to do that) Play fetch even play basketball!Rats are like mini dogs.Some may be harder to teach then others but they are in fact of high intelligence.
i think there one of the smartest animals i love them.
Rats are super smart. Some rats can learn tricks faster than dogs.
I have had a pair of rats once and they were so smart. I had done research on them and they are supposed to be as smart as a three year old. I taught mine to play basketball and to stay and come they were really nice.
My boyfriend and I have 3 pet rats and I ablsoulutly love them. They are the coolest things ever. There names are Daisey, Jazmine and Dusty. They do tricks. They only go back in thier cage by our right arms, they take food out of our mouths and they love to swim in the bath tub. I will always have rats!

How can I get my mother to accept pet rats?

I want two pet rats, but my mother refuses due to the simple fact its a rat. Shes told me I can get a ferret, a chinchilla, ect. I have reasons for not wanting a ferret (I want something kept in my room, a ferret would smell much to badly.) and I want something that doesnt mind just cuddling into a blanket and chilling.


How can i try to make her not 'fear' or hate rats or whatever her hang up on them is? I've taken her to the petstore and let her see the big, and baby rats, and she still says no to them.





What should I do?How can I get my mother to accept pet rats?
Maybe show her some rat websites. The creators usually have a page or paragraph on their experiences with rats and why they make good pets. Also, let her know that she doesn't have to go near them or hold them if she doesn't want to, and the cage will stay in your room. Whenever you go into a room holding the rats, give her fair warning so she isn't startled.





(It took me ages to convince my mother, but now that she's met the little guys, she loves them ^^)How can I get my mother to accept pet rats?
I had the exact same problem with my mom. i took her to the pet store. she held one, play with it and she LOVED it! take ur mom to a pet store. it oughta do it

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Ask her why she doesn't want you to get a rat. Try to figure something out with her but if she still says no then don't try to beg for one just accept it. When you're an adult you can get one if you still want to.
What I would do is put one in bed with her while shes sleeping! LOL J/K





They actually say that they make good pets, you should do the research to prove it and then show her the outcome.
theres no way moms hate rats
It's her house. If she says no rats, then no rats. Once you get a job, and start paying some bills, bring it up again. Until then, just do as she says. She's your mother, not a doormat.

Do hamsters attract rats or anything else close to it in the same family?

My mother won't let me get a hamster because she thinks it attracts mice ? Does any have any evidence to prove her wrong and get her off my back about it?Do hamsters attract rats or anything else close to it in the same family?
Hamsters don't attract mice because they live differently. They're both rodents but wouldn't attract each other. Since they have different scents they act like magnets and repel each other. When I got hamsters I borrowed my friends pet mouse and tested out their behavior towards each other,they both stayed in different corners so you'll be fine. P.S. you'll both get use to rodents. We did.Do hamsters attract rats or anything else close to it in the same family?
If it's in your house then of course it won't. But I had a friend of mine who kept hers in her garage (she made sure it was fine temperature wise), and a mouse tried getting inside the cage to get to the food. TONS of people have rodents and it's not common for wild rodents to be attracted to them.
Haha yes my first rat attracted two more rats. Once I had one I fell in love and had to get more :)





But to answer your question seriously, no they wont. Unless you live in a barn or a house with a lot of outdoor access and even then they probably wont attract anything.
That's not true at all!


Warm, dark, and unfinished food attracts rats and mice!





Many people have hamsters..do they have rats and mice!?





I have guinea pigs and I have no such things living in my house!
No, if you put a rat and a hamster in the same cage they will not like each other. They are two different species so its impossible for them to be attracted to one other
lol dont get a hamster mate, get a rat.





hamsters bite and are as dumb as 2 planks of wood.





Rats are sociable creatures, fun and RARELY bite.





finally rats don't attract rats. The food does.

How much do rats cost? + How to convince parents?

One female with cage and bedding (tips on good bedding/cages/places to buy would be VERY helpful)


Of course I WILL read about rats before getting one.


I won an art thing not too long ago so i'm selling it and do some other jobs to get money. I was wondering how much I need to get to start off okay.How much do rats cost? + How to convince parents?
Sometimes, there is a pet that you really want and you will do anything to get it, but your parents won't cooperate. Sometimes you get lucky and they eventually let you get it without too much fuss, but sometimes they just get stubborn.


[edit] Steps





1. Do your research first. When you go to the library, get books. At home, read or research on the computer. Even go ask friends who own or have previously owned the pet about how to care for it (if the oppertunity comes along, take care of it for them while they're on vacation.) .Research the pet in question in great detail before you even approach your parents, so you know all of the facts. If you find out something about the pet that you don't like, e.g. eats live food, lives for 30 years, needs lots of outdoor space, then don't hesitate to check out other similar animals to find the perfect pet for you.


2. Make sure to check into state laws if you are considering an exotic pet. For example, it is illegal to keep a skunk as a pet in Tennessee, so even though you may be able to buy one or might know someone who has one, it's probably not a good idea.


3. When you know what you want and have all of the facts, approach your parents. In a calm, diplomatic way tell them about the animal, and tell them some important facts about it. When you are done, they will most likely ask you some questions. Answer them honestly, being sure to suggest solutions to any problems they see. If they say yes, then yippee! You probably don't need to read any more. If they say no, ask them to just think about it.


4. Keep researching! When you find out new, interesting facts, be sure to tell your parents, to keep the subject in the back of everyone's mind. Never mention the desire you have or say 'wink wink' or 'hint hint'. However, if they get mad and tell you to stop, stay low on the subject and keep your mouth shut for a few days.


5. With your information, make a care chart for the animal, with catagories listing what care they need daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, etc... Show this to your parents. This tells them that you are willing to do the work, and you're not letting go easily. If they seem hesitant, ask them what problems they have with you getting the pet. Answer honestly, and show them that you are responsible and willing to see all sides of an issue, even if you don't want to.


6. Just keep this up for as long as it takes for them to give in, or for you to get tired of the pet. This generally works for me (unless my parents have a really solid, impossible-to-get-around reason why not). Good luck!








[edit] Tips





* Never, ever shout or whine. This shows your parents that you are too immature to care for a pet.


* Make sure that you see their side of the story, and try to convince them why your side is better!


* If you are really motivated, you can write a persuasive essay outlining all of your reasoning. This really impresses parents.


* If you have done anything good like good grades or helping around the house make sure to mention that as a plus!


* Sometimes your parents get really annoyed, so stop asking and continue to tell them about this animal and start showing how responsible you are. After awhile, ask them again.


* You could always try asking for a pet on your birthday since it is *YOUR* birthday. Ask them gently and like mentioned before, don't forget to add in a few great things about the pet!How much do rats cost? + How to convince parents?
rats cost between 5-10 dollars getting one from a breeder like myself is better then getting one from a petstore! you can buy a cage with lid from walmart for a total of no more then 20 dollars that is for a 10 gallon tank and lid (tanks are better then cages and alot cheaper) a huge bag of PINE (only use pine) bedding is only 6 dollars at walmart and all the otherstuff, food bowl, water bottle cost about 5 bucks......you dont need to BUY toys they love homemade stuff old boxes toilet paper rolls etc!!! Tell you parents to check out my RATS myspace page....it is very educational and may help you convince them to getting one!!!











extra::::


I DO NOT RECCOMEND CAGES BECAUSE TO OFTEN THEY GET PROBLEMS WITH THERE FEET , TAILS GETTING STUCK!!! AND A TANK IS EASIER TO CLEAN THEY DO GET ENOUGH VENTILATION AS LONG AS THE LID HAS MANY OPENED AREAS!!!
talk 2 them...
first of all rats should not be kept in tanks..... there is not enough venilation and as to how much they cost it totally depends on where you get it if you get it from a pet store it costs only like $10 but i would not recomend it many pets bought from pet stores are sick when you get them but of course the pet store will not tell you that all they want to do is see as many rats as posible my recomendation would be to get a rat from a rescue that way the foster parent can tell you about an individual rat and see if it right for youand by getting it from a rescue you are helping the rat by not getting it from the pet store although you might think by gettign him/her from the pet store that you are saveing them but rilly you arn't each time an animal is bought from a pet store another one just replaces it and if people keep buying from them they will never stop... and many rats from rescues don't cost much money if any money at all i would recomend the website www.petfinder.com you can find all different kinds of rats that need homes and it will be easy to find the right one for you just make sure when you do get one you keep it in a cage big enough for it to run around, play and get excersize (remember rats are a big responsibity they need at least for hours of human interaction a day and lots of play time and money shouldn't be a concern when you are talking about the life and care of and animal.)
Here's what I spent first round


My favorite brand of cages is superpet.


I've upgraded since then, but the first cage I bought was this:


http://www.petco.com/product/10638/Super鈥?/a>


About $57 plus S%26amp;H I ordered off line and it came in perfect condition.


- They also like paces to hide in so I bought Pet Igloos, see through but tinted so they still have privacy. I bought the biggest one for $9 but the Medium for $6 is good.


However a good hideaway is $5-15 over $10 is oushing it and over $15 your getting ripped off.


- Food bowl should be ceramic,THICK plastic, or steel.


$4 tops should be spent on this.


- Water bottle I spent $8 on mine, it's 12oz glass with a plastic lid but also a silver cap to go over it and steel drinking nozzle.


Something like this is your best way to go because they will chew,plastic and rubber.


-No rat i've ever had used a wheel or run-about ball so for entertainment spend $2 on a couple jingle bell cat toys.


-Bedding, I used careFRESH. 50litre for $20-25 it's cheaper then buying a $10-15 dollar bag now and then. Pine and Cedar are bad for rats. However if money is tight my rats love torn pieces of paper towel.


-For food I buy Nutriphase at Petsmart. It's $9 a 5lbs. bag. I've tried 'big' brands like oxbowl and Reggie Rat but they like this best and I don't have any weight/nourishment problems. Of course any store bought rat food should have veggies and fruit available once every 2 days. Giving more than this gave my rats diarrhea.


I know a lot of people will be against it but I get all my stuff from petco/petsmart.


-The rat itself I bought from Petsmart, very healthy and easy to tame. However with stores like petco and Petsmart I think it's credibility depends on each individual store so look around and use your own judgment on if you think it's respectable enough to buy from. Mine were $14 each but they sell blue and Dumbo.





so list:


Rat: $14


Cage: $57


Food: $9


Food Dish: $2.99


Water Bottle: $8


Bedding $20-$25


[Or $3 on a roll of paper towel.0


Hideaway Place: $6-15


Be prepared to spend about $123.00


Also you should work your way up to some money for vet incase they get sick. A check-up for me cost $25 per rat so it should be somewhere around there





PERMISSION:


The only way to go about this is to ask them. It depends how you ask them. You don't want to sound whiny or spoiled. When they say no don't raise your voice or get really upset gentle keep pressing them. Also tell them the schedule you'd have for caring for the rat. A cage cleaning once a week, refresh food every 1-2 days [don't throw it out but pour back into the bag shake to mix then pour it back in the bowl.


Check their water once a day. And of course some attention. Rats do not smell unless you let their cage become horrible to were the constant cleaning they do [literally more than cats] isn't enough to keep them clean. If your going to keep them in your room tell them that they are so quite and odorless they won't even know they are there except if/when you bring them out to play or walk around with them on your shoulder. Have patience, it took me a month to convincing my mom to let me get 1 rat then when I told her it needed a buddy it took another couple of weeks of telling her 2 rats is any more hassling then 1. It may take longer for you since me and my mom have a weird relationship, I can be aggressive and argue back and she accepts my hardheadedness as my personality.. But with most parents calm and mature is their language. If they say no, instead of going 'please,please,please'; [unless thats how you typically get your way] say something, ';well can you at least think about it a little please?'; this is a lot less annoying and gives a reason for you to try again. If worse comes to worse lay off it for a month and then in a causal conversation if they are willing to change their mine if they say no still then sadly your out of luck.
honey, you don't want rats, that is the most absolute disgusting thing i have ever heard of

Is it possible to socialise adult cats with pet rats?

I have 2 adult cats who regularly hunt and kill birds and mice. I am planning on getting a couple of pet rats soon and wondered if there was any way that they can learn that the rats are not prey. Obviously I'm not going to do anything silly and leave them unattended together, but I'm just interested in whether I could discourage the cats from trying to get to them or whether the hunting instinct is too ingrained in them now that they are adults?Is it possible to socialise adult cats with pet rats?
I Have 2 cats (both are15 years old and both are bird and mouse hunters) and 2 rats (18 months old) and I haven't had many problems.





The only incident I had was one cat trying to get a better view inside the cage by standing on it's hind legs with its paws against the front of the cage. I told the cat ';No'; and then shut him out of the room.


If at any point after that either of the cats were showing a bit too much interest in the rats they were told firmly ';No'; and would then be promptly taken outside. They soon learnt that if they wanted to be in the same room they would have to leave the rats alone.





It also helped that when the cats were present I would go to the rats cage and play with them in full view of the cats (hopefully) making the cat realise that the rats are not prey!





I've let them all have a sniff of each other (keeping a firm hold on the cats) so they are used to each others scent as my cats are always incredibly interested by anything new whether it be a huge rat cage or a new cushion for the sofa!





My cats are now not interested in the rats at all and don't even give the cage a second look when they come into the room.Is it possible to socialise adult cats with pet rats?
I really wouldn't recommend trying this, even though rats are comparatively large rodents, the cats innate hunting instincts are likely to prove over any attempts of socialisation and deem the risk too high.
I had three cats and a pet rat, my rat used to sit on my shoulder as i moved around my home when i sat down the rat used to run around the sofa my cats were fascinated and used to watch him if they ever used to take a swipe at him either he would run back to the safety of my shoulder or i used to shout at the cats no so they knew what they were doing was wrong, it's never going to be an ideal situation but they will learn when you are around they can't get near but like you say i would never leave them unattended it's an instinct for them to try and kill, rats make lovely pets you will really enjoy them, two boy's together or two girls together make sure they aren't opposite sex's u will be over-run!
no absolutely not cats will attack your hand if waved under something they wont see it as a rat just something to play with ......and kill what fun ..
I'm sure that in no time at all the cats will be socialising with the rats (having them round for dinner).....
That is an iffy one.


I never had a problem with my cat with bigger rodents, such as my guinea pigs and chinchilla. Hamster, mice or anything small...forget it, they see it as prey.


I have two rats now, the cat is interested in them, but he isn't trying to attack them.








I think when the Rats are full grown, there is a chance they can maybe tolerate each other, but they I highly doubt they could ever be ';buddies';.
I've had cats and rodents and even fish in the same house, and it's never ended well, even when the cats were aware of the smaller animals from kitten-age. (That may have been part of it; they were just waiting to catch that fish that swims all day, taunting them...)
I managed to introduce two pet rats to my cat a few years ago (the rats have since died from cancer and natrual causes) I introduced them one at a time while the rats were in their cages and they seemed to understand that this wasn't prey. I of course never tested it, but they all lived happily side by side until the rats died..they were kept in a seperate room that the cat didn't usually reside in and when I fed them and cleaned out their cages, they were in a small travel case and the cat would sniff them out, but Tally would bite her so Penne didn't really want to go too near them and Penne does bring me mice, birds etc so I know she's a hunter.
Getting pet rats when you have cats is a bad idea. Even if the rats are kept in another room, since the cats have the hunting skills already, they will smell the rats and be bothered that they can smell them but not see them.





If by some misfortune the rats would get out, things would not be pretty. The cats would likely win but rats can give nasty bites, and so you could end up with all the animals being injured or worse, with all the problems that entails.





Rats are not very good pets anyway. You will never get the affection and unconditional love from a rodent that you get from a cat.
Well, you could try with one cat at a time, show them the rat (who's still in the cage), and see if they attempt to catch it. I'm not sure if trying to curb by a sharp ';No!'; and a tap on the nose would do (when they do actually attempt it), but you can try.





My aunt has an adult male cat who doesn't hunt - he's SCARED of the hansters and the rabbit she owns! The rabbit chases him if you took her out while he's around. Its funny, but a little sad.
i would say no, but if you had a kitten and they grew up sort of together then yes.
i'm thinking no because i had an adult cat and a hampster and for about 6 months i tried to introduce them and then one day my hamster got out and it didn't end well.
waoh

tvs

How to keep rats out of garage other than mothballs? any other repellents?

we have discussed with a pest conrol company who admitted it would be impossible to rat-proof the entire bldg. we can set traps but others can still get in. we need something to make them not want to come in at all. there are alot of stray cats in my area, often in my yard, so either these rats aren't frightened or there would be more if the cats weren't there (yuck). my husband just dismantled a nest recently and got rid of the babies but the mother (we suppose) is still lurking. what will make her and any of her friends go away? do mothballs really work? thanks for any advice!How to keep rats out of garage other than mothballs? any other repellents?
rat POISON. That is horrifying to have that many of the nasty creatures. Seriously, I don't know where you are in the world, but here in the US the best thing to use is D-con, which will poison them but not cause them to stink once they do die.How to keep rats out of garage other than mothballs? any other repellents?
A cat! Mice stay away from any place they smell a cat,
try putting bleach in the bags
Yes mothballs do really work. I have used them for years in feedrooms @ barns. You also have to seal up any holes in walls and don't leave any doors or windows open. Good Luck
Here Kitty Kitty

Which of these is the best way to kill rats? Like a whole bunch of them?

My friend is a crazy gun-nut and wants to try one of his assault rifles. I don't want him filling the place with bullet holes. I think some kind of rudimentary flame-thrower would be more efficient, but he says that would just fill the place with little scurrying balls of fire. What do you think?Which of these is the best way to kill rats? Like a whole bunch of them?
I'm told that centuries ago when China had a rat problem that they caught some and sewed their rear-ends shut. Then they would become aggressive and kill a bunch of other rats before dying themselves. You could try that....just saying. :)





Maybe call an exterminator?Which of these is the best way to kill rats? Like a whole bunch of them?
Betty is right! Contact your landlord if you're contaminated with rats. Rats are serious problem %26amp; they will continue to multiply if not controlled properly. I suggest poison them with 'Warfarin' and continue baiting for 10 days, wire traps with peanut butter.
I found the best way to kill them, is to get some rat poison and mix it with some tinned meat, put it where the rats are. In one or two days later you will be finding dead rats. They get used to rat poison, but they can not resist the meat.
i think both of those ideas are taboo...


rats wow.. get some rat traps and rat poison..if this is a rented house or apartment id contact the landlord.. the health risks involving rats is very serious.. id also cal the hosuing authorities if you have rats this bad and rent.. this isnt fit for human living...also i know this sounds nasty but.. put out capfuls of soda like pepsi coke... the rats n mice drink it and they cant fart or burp so their insides explode and they die..

What is the best way to get rid of rats?

I don't want to use poison as I have a dog. I got a big trap but the rat avoids it. I used cheese and peanut butter.What is the best way to get rid of rats?
Try sticky traps. They've always worked for me, and PB is the best bait. The absolute best rat preventer though is a cat or cats.What is the best way to get rid of rats?
I agree, a cat would be your best bet.


I think that glue traps are cruel because the mice die a slow death.


I've never had a problem with the catch and release traps.


They aren't very expensive so maybe you could try another model.

Is it safe to put timothy hay in a rats cage?

I don't have a rat, and don't plan on getting one. I was wondering if it is safe to give rats timothy hay to play in or eat?Is it safe to put timothy hay in a rats cage?
Theres nothing thats going to kill them, unless theres fungus on it. I have to give my rats a piece or two of timothy when I'm feeding the guinea pig or they throw an absolute fit. They either ignore it or take it down to their nest box to use as lining. I've never seen them eat it. Its not a very good bedding choice, because it really doesn't absorb odors, and gets moldy quickly. And as for eating... I doubt they'll eat it. I know they can't digest alfalfa, but alfalfa is a legume and timothy isnt.





anyway. It won't cause harm, I just don't think it'll do any good, other things would be better.Is it safe to put timothy hay in a rats cage?
Yes, it is safe to give rats Timothy hay. As an extra precaution it is recommended to cut the hay into 2 to 3 inch lengths. This allows the hay to lay flat on the bedding and prevents the rat's bulbous eyes from being accidently poked.





Some of my rats have ignored it, some eat it, some just chew it up, some burrow around in it, and a few will actually use it as nest bedding.





The bales of hay that are used for horses are not recommended for small animals as there is a chance of bugs, mold, dust, and weeds being in the hay. The safest timothy hay for rats is the pre-packaged commercial product. It's been sterilized.





spazrats


';my life has gone to the Rats';
yes
ya its fine to feed them timothy hay the pet stores sell it in packages for you to feed to your pets
i do not think so....

How tolerant are rats to heat exposure? Any tips to keeping them cool?

I am relocating and have to travel with my pet rats. They have traveled with me in the past but this is a long journey and I don't have air-conditioning in my car. Obviously I am splitting the journey and driving when it is cooler but I was wondering if anyone else had done this before and if they had any tips on helping to make the journey more comfortable for my rats?How tolerant are rats to heat exposure? Any tips to keeping them cool?
rats are not very tolerant of heat...but you can make it better for them





travel with an esky that holds plastic bottles of frozen water (fill up the bottles and freeze them before your journey)





put a frozen bottle in their cage to cool it, but be careful it cant roll on them...you could wrap the bottle in an old towel...my rats lie on the bottles on hot days





put a thick terracotta tile on the bottom of their cage...they are very cool to touch and my rats like to spread out on their tummies on the tiles





take along some packets of frozen peas/ blueberries to feed them along the way...they like ice treats





also take grapes...they are high energy and full of juice so the rats wont get dehydrated





make sure they have access to plenty of water





you could also take a water mister and mist into their cage every now and again to cool the air





another great tip is to wet a towel and squeeze out the water and drape it over the cage...the temp inside the cage (and towel) should be a lot lower than outside the cage





stop regularly to check on them and offer them water





good luck :%26gt;How tolerant are rats to heat exposure? Any tips to keeping them cool?
Rats are not very heat tolerant at all. This is why they live underground and venture out only at night. They do not sweat or pant so the only way they can dispel excess heat is through the skin of their ears. The veins bring the heated blood closer to the bare surface where some of the heat can be released. Rats were not built for heat. Since you mentioned that your car doesn't have AC, I can only assume your road trip is planned for the summer time. My suggestion would be to fill up several gallon-sized zip-lock bags with water and freeze them solid, then place one or two inside the cage as you travel. Along the way, as the frozen water melts, you could stop at a convenience store and fill the zip-lock bag up with ice, then continue on. The only problem with doing that is the ice will melt quicker than a gallon-sized frozen zip-lock bag will. If your cage will fit, you can even place it into the cooler with a couple of zip-lock ice bags packed around it on the outside of the cage. Obviously, you wouldn't want to shut the lid. But the cooler would not only make the ice-bags last longer, it would also keep the melted water from getting your car seats wet. Rats can tolerate cold just fine, but too much heat will kill them.
Rats are rather sensitive to heat, so yes this is a very reasonable concern.


When i was in 4-H the rodent barn would get very hot in the summer. One thing that we did to help them stay cool was to put frozen water bottles in their cages. This is good because they can use it to keep cool, but is better than a fan because they have the option of moving away from it if they get too cold.


Obliged, i have never done this with rats; but it works well with guinea pigs and rabbits, so i would assume it would be safe for rats as well.
I would bring





Drinking water





Spray bottle so you can wet them





Frozen peas





Frozen plastic bottle (I don't trust glass lol)





It might be too bumpy for this, but maybe a large container of water so they can go in it, with just enough water to get their feet (and maybe legs) wet.





Good luck!
as long as they have room to spread out and you do not leave the car in the sun should be OK. Provide cool water possibly with some frozen peas in it and have the fan on----good for you good for rattie
Maybe fill a plastic container with ice cubes and keep it in their cage. Replace when the ice melts. You could just stop at a gas station to get more ice whenever you need.

tvs

What is the best kind of lab block for rats?

Right now I feed them kaytee forti diet for rats, mice and hamsters but right now i dont think that its the best choice because the first ingredient is corn. What is the best kind of lab blcok out there for rats? What do you feed yours? I also make a homemade diet along with there lab blocks. So what is it??!!! Help!!!!!!!What is the best kind of lab block for rats?
Regal rat is really good but, I've never seen it in a store. Mazuri lab blocks are better then Kaytee and you can usually find them at the pet store.What is the best kind of lab block for rats?
I'm sorry, I forget what my lab blocks brand name is called, but I do believe that it doesn't matter much, as long as it is specially formulated for ratties. Get them off of the diet if it is suitable for other animals, you only want stuff that is specific to that animal. It would be like you eating dog food, just because it's food doesn't mean that it is suitable to others (even if it is labeled that way). Ask a pet shop worker what they feed their rats, and shop around. Good luck!
One that's easily found in pet stores is Mazuri. It's what my rats eat.





I also use Oxbow's Regal Rat, but I have to go to a special ''natural pet food'' store for that.





Harlan Teklad is good too, but I've never seen it available anywhere near me, so I'd have to order it online, and I haven't done that.

How easy are rats to care for and breed?

I can get free meals in a resturant by releasing the surplus ones and then pointing it out to the manager and refuse to pay for the meal. He will be so frightened of the heath inspector that he may even offer me free meals for life as long as I don't say anythingHow easy are rats to care for and breed?
They kind of take care of themselves pretty well.


Are you sure the manager won't say ';I told you our food was fresh, do you want that one in the Singapore friend noodles or the special fried rice?How easy are rats to care for and breed?
gerbils are the best to breed and not hard to takecare of. gerbils are the best choice.
I take it you are Joe King ?
they breed to fast
why would you want to breed rats!!! disgusting, disease ridden, rodents.
Just breed and eat the rats it'll save you washing up to pay for the meal.
Stay away from Alberta we don't have rats here and don't want them.
Rats do need quite a big cage, a hamster one certainly won't do even for a single rat. If you were planning to breed them you would need a very large cage indeed. Rats are very smart, you can teach them to use a litter tray and answer to their name, so you need time to spend with them every day. As for breeding, i wouldn't advise it. Unless you know how to seperate the males and females at 6 weeks of age, you'll end up with dozens(literally) and they are hard to find homes for. Though yes, they will breed very easily indeed!

Can I use calcium chloride to get rid of rats?

I have chickens and don't want to harm them. The rats have burrowed under the ground.Can I use calcium chloride to get rid of rats?
put rat bait (neorexia in some little plastic bags and push them down the rat tunnels. then put a brick or heavy stone over that hole. Then change the way you feed your chickens dont leave so much food around for a while. I put my feeder hanging 6 inches or so above the floor this helps. and make sure the chickens cannot rake too much food onto the floorCan I use calcium chloride to get rid of rats?
Askjeeves.com
Glue traps are the best method to trap rats and mice.

Can you feed rats regular yogurt chips like you buy in a health food store?

I keep reading about people feeding their rats yogurt drops as a treat. Wondering if there is a special kind I need to buy or if I can buy the kinds from the bin in the health food store.Can you feed rats regular yogurt chips like you buy in a health food store?
You can feed one or two a day, but not too much. It wont hurt them its just not that great for them, Great treat tho!Can you feed rats regular yogurt chips like you buy in a health food store?
rats can eat just about anything, except meats and sugars and a few other things. i have had rats for years and i have always fed them table scraps. of course i feed them nutrient rich pellets as their main diet. i have had a number of my rats live to be over 5 years old. i never really thought that was old for rats, i just assumed that was normal, but reading around on the internet and friends experiences, most rats live only to between 3 and 4 so whatever people say about not feeding rats table scraps that often, well it has worked for me so im not changing. so im sure you can feed them yogurt chips you buy from a health food store
Yes, you can. They love yogurt, and just about anything they don't get on a daily basis. I would recommend Yogurt Drops... I get them from Petsmart. They can have lots of foods, you just have to be careful and maybe do some research before you try giving them some new foods. Here are some things I give my rats:


lettuce (NO ICE BURG LETTUCE!!)


carrots


yogurt/yogurt drops


bananas


grapes


cheese hope i helped ! :)

What kind of tape is safe to use around rats?

I have pet rats and i let them run loose in my room. I have a radiator that runs around my room. So I block it off with some cardboard boxes (BTW the radiator is never used so don't tell me it's a fire hazard). Anyway Stratus (my rat) already figured out how to get behind it. What kind of tape can I use to seal it that won't hurt her if she chews on it?What kind of tape is safe to use around rats?
I wouldn't reccommend masking tape, but it's pretty much fine depending on their personality. If they're wondefully calm and obedient, use the tape. But if they are very inquisitive and quite destructive (eg, put the cardboard loo roll in there which is destroyed in 10 minutes) then teaching them might be easier. You wouldn't want them eating the stuff, after all.What kind of tape is safe to use around rats?
Masking tape is fine.

Can you feed rats regular yogurt chips like you buy in a health food store?

I keep reading about people feeding their rats yogurt drops as a treat. Wondering if there is a special kind I need to buy or if I can buy the kinds from the bin in the health food store.Can you feed rats regular yogurt chips like you buy in a health food store?
You can feed one or two a day, but not too much. It wont hurt them its just not that great for them, Great treat tho!Can you feed rats regular yogurt chips like you buy in a health food store?
rats can eat just about anything, except meats and sugars and a few other things. i have had rats for years and i have always fed them table scraps. of course i feed them nutrient rich pellets as their main diet. i have had a number of my rats live to be over 5 years old. i never really thought that was old for rats, i just assumed that was normal, but reading around on the internet and friends experiences, most rats live only to between 3 and 4 so whatever people say about not feeding rats table scraps that often, well it has worked for me so im not changing. so im sure you can feed them yogurt chips you buy from a health food store
Yes, you can. They love yogurt, and just about anything they don't get on a daily basis. I would recommend Yogurt Drops... I get them from Petsmart. They can have lots of foods, you just have to be careful and maybe do some research before you try giving them some new foods. Here are some things I give my rats:


lettuce (NO ICE BURG LETTUCE!!)


carrots


yogurt/yogurt drops


bananas


grapes


cheese hope i helped ! :)

tvs

What kind of tape is safe to use around rats?

I have pet rats and i let them run loose in my room. I have a radiator that runs around my room. So I block it off with some cardboard boxes (BTW the radiator is never used so don't tell me it's a fire hazard). Anyway Stratus (my rat) already figured out how to get behind it. What kind of tape can I use to seal it that won't hurt her if she chews on it?What kind of tape is safe to use around rats?
I wouldn't reccommend masking tape, but it's pretty much fine depending on their personality. If they're wondefully calm and obedient, use the tape. But if they are very inquisitive and quite destructive (eg, put the cardboard loo roll in there which is destroyed in 10 minutes) then teaching them might be easier. You wouldn't want them eating the stuff, after all.What kind of tape is safe to use around rats?
Masking tape is fine.

Why are my rats nodding their heads side to side?

I recently adopted 3 rats and I give them regular playtime with me daily. Sometime during that playtime, I'll find one of them standing still for a few minutes, nodding their head from side to side. It looks like they are spacing out. Is this something that I should be worried about?Why are my rats nodding their heads side to side?
Is your rat a white rat, or have reddish eyes? Many animals who have red eyes do this, it's called 'weaving' or 'scanning'. The current theory for this behavior is that they have trouble distinguishing shadows, and will weave back and forth to try and bring things into perspective.





He may also just have an ear infection, so you may want to check his ear and get him to a vet.Why are my rats nodding their heads side to side?
They're conspiring to slip out after midnight so they can secretly let all their hundreds of wild rat cousins in and then attack and devour you and your family as you sleep.





Well, what sort of answer DID you expect? They're just being rats, doh...

What type of bedding should I use for my rats?

I use to use carefresh, but my breeder uses shredded aspen. I have been reading reviews on the carefresh, carefresh plus, and shredded aspen beddings. They all have positive and negative hings. I want odor control, absorbent, and for it to be comfy for my little boys. I also do not mind paying a bit more for a good bedding. What would you recomend? Also, it cannot be dusty or pine/cedar because that will give them upperrespiratory inffections.What type of bedding should I use for my rats?
For everybody's information:





Scented bedding is an absolute no-no! Rats get respiratory problems from pine, cedar, perfumes (that's what goes into scented bedding!), incense, cigarette smoke, chemicals... For your rats' health (and to make life easier for your bank account!) you should stick to UNscented bedding. If the smell bothers you, try cleaning the cage a little more often. Every couple of days would be a good idea...What type of bedding should I use for my rats?
I have used aspen and there doesn't seem to many down sides to it, but I have found a new bedding that I love! It is lavender scented and when it says that it calms the animals, they are correct. It is by Kaytee and is called Soft-Sorbent. It comes in rose-scented, lavender-scented, and none-scented. It looks nice, is not dusty, soft, and my three male rats seem to love it.
Personally i woulsnt use aspen for my rats. it could get in the rats eyes or up their noses becuase its thin and pointy. also you occasionally get some dust in there.


I use a paper based cat litter for mine. I find it has no dust in there. This is exactly what i use





http://www.petsathome.com/find/category-is-1+cat/category-is-1j+litter+and+accessories/category-is-1j01+litter/product-is-19975
Shredded wood does fine here, aspen I belief. Of course my rats have their nest made of fritzle and they sleep mostly in that. But it is overal good bedding, not highly absorbant so just clean the cage regular
Care Fresh because it is not dustie and it is super absorbent. Care fresh will also safer to use because rats can get respiratory problems with pine and ceder

How often do rats or hamsters get lice ?

I might be getting one of them so its good to know. Does it happen often. Can they get it easily ?How often do rats or hamsters get lice ?
My girlfriend said my hamsters got lice from a tractor seat.How often do rats or hamsters get lice ?
As often as they come into contact with it, which is almost never.





- Do you already have a lice problem in your house?


- Are you using second-hand rat/hammy gear that may have been used by a lice-infested pet?


- Take a look at the rats/hammies before you bring them home. Do they already have lice?


- Will the rats/hammies go outdoors (this would be a bit silly)?


- Will the rats/hammies be in contact with other pets (particularly outdoor pets or pets you don't own)?





If the answer to all of the above points is no, they will probably never get lice. On the off chance they do, it's not difficult to deal with.
If you don't freeze your bedding prior, or if you interact a lot with other rats/hamsters that aren't your own, you run the risk. It's not -that- common (I've only had one mites outbreak in the last year) but it happens. A vet visit + Revolution has never cost me over $40 though.
It's not an ''often'' thing, and many will go through their lives without dealing with lice/mites/etc.





Research the leading causes of lice/mites/etc, and find a good vet that can get you Revolution if you need it.





PS. If you get rats, you should get more than just one, of course.
It is possibly they can get lice easily. To prevent this there is a lice and tick medicene you can buy or be sure to brush them fairly often. They will not get it alot if you take good care of them! Keep them clean and good luck!!





-Max
I've owned quite a few pet rats and some mice as pets throughout the years. Right now we have 10 pet rats.


I've never had a problem of any rats or mice having lice.

Can anyone tell me a safe way to kill rats, without endangering pets?

Rats have infested my barn! Is there any way to kill the rats (traps aren't workig) without endangering my pets?Can anyone tell me a safe way to kill rats, without endangering pets?
Get a lot of cats and let them go king kong on themCan anyone tell me a safe way to kill rats, without endangering pets?
It's pretty hard to do. We had a similar problem with roof rats and used poison that was placed inside storm drains (during the summer dry season) that our cat and dogs could not fit into and we checked the bait reguarly. The cat would not bother a dead rat and our dogs are confined to another part of the yard where they could not get to a dead rat (or if they were out, they would be supervised). That was the only way we could use bait safely.





My only other suggestion is to get some barn cats on duty. Shelters are often looking for homes for feral mouser cats that have been spayed and neutered and given their vaccinations. You need to feed them and give them access to shelter in your barn, but they are not socialized with humans - but this is a good way to help cats that can't find homes as pets and this is the best life they can hope for.
Live traps. That way, the rats can get in but because they are small traps, the other animals cant get in, and theres no danger of animals getting their feet caught in the death traps. Most stores that carry rat traps have humane live traps too.
You live in the UK? Anywhere around Wiltshire? My dogs will come and party - they are awesome ratters.... never had to train them, or persuade them, just incredible instinct. Must be the most humane way I've ever seen a rat killed - certainly the fastest.
Traps....but then you have to deal with disposing of them.





next....a herd of cats and be sure they are neutered or you will have a really big herd of cats.





No poison is free from problems.
have you tried coating the bait on your traps with peanut butter. rats know the smell of humans and peanut butter is to pungent for them.
there is a rodent repellent that you plug into an outlet.


hopes this helps
A couple of bad-*** barn cats will make short work of the rats.
get some decon that will get rid of ants put in all corners it sells at walmart meijer all major stores even kmart
.22 long rifle.
pellet gun

Is it safe to use cat litter in my rats litter pan?

I am soon getting 2 male rats. They will both be young, about 8 weeks old. And I am going to try to litter train them. And i already have 2 cats, and for them I use arm%26amp;harmer Natural clumping cat litter. And because its natural i was wondering if it would be safe to use for my rats as well. (It looks like little tiny wooden bead things.) If its not safe what should i use?


(any other tips for litter training my rats would be helpful)Is it safe to use cat litter in my rats litter pan?
No no no! Any litter is VERY dusty. This will cause eventual problems with the rats' respiratory systems, which will be very serious. And clumping litter should ONLY be used with animals that have NO chance of ingesting it. Hav you ever seen a cat eat litter? Rats on he other hand must put things in their mouths to learn what they are. This will cause even more problems with their digestive systems.





Rats do not need a certian kind of litter. They naturally will use a corner of their cage to keep it clean and orderly. All you do is collect their waste into that corner to help remind the mto use it. They don't even need a box! Using a box is easier for you to clean up, that's the only reason you are using one. For the litter, use the same stuff you use in the rest of the cage. Here's a site to read about the training: http://www.dapper.com.au/articles.htm#li鈥?/a>Is it safe to use cat litter in my rats litter pan?
oh please dont listen to the last response. Dont use clumping cat litter. It is very dusty and causes respitory diseases in rats. Use Yesterdays News cat litter. It's paper pellets and its in a green bag. MANY people reccomend it because its not dusty, controlls odours and ya. Email me if you want any other bedding suggestions. Hope I helped!
Rats have severe respiratory problems, the dust will cause later troubles and heart ache. Use Carefresh pet Bedding, Its made of paper material. Its whats used in most all pet stores. Stay away from dust and wood.
no it's not OK


it's too dusty


it will cause respiratory infections


you can use small animal litter or yesterdays news cat litter





again please not use cat litter
NO CAT LITTER! Cat litter is made for cats, and cats only. Cat litter can cause urinary problems with your rats, or any rodent, for that matter. NO CAT LITTER!!!!!!!
yea its healthy for them i have a hedgehog and use kittly liter too but sometimes he chews it up and puts it on his back it GROSS but yea kitty litter shouldnt hurt them GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW BABIES!!!!!!! youll love em so much
Yea you can use it for both!!! if they start eating it though take it away. otherwise it should be fine!!!

tvs

We have rats in our attic. My parents go up there bare foot and then walk around the house. Is that ok?

I want to know whether the floor is still ';clean.';We have rats in our attic. My parents go up there bare foot and then walk around the house. Is that ok?
It's not going to make any difference whether they go up there barefoot or wearing shoes; do you think shoe soles are self-cleaning and don't carry germs? Also if you have rats in the attic you have rats everywhere, they get into everything. They'll come down after food, they won't just stay in the attic with nothing to eat... also mice and rats climb onto everything rather than walking on the floor only, so there'll be rat droppings and rat urine on shelves, stored items, lots of things you touch with your hands as well... I think it's a good thing to worry about the rats being a hygiene problem, but it doesn't make sense to just focus on your parents walking around barefoot and dragging any germs around in that manner only. If you have vermin in the house, get rid of the vermin... don't focus on one little aspect and expect to be safe from the rats.





No need to throw stuff out unless it's food. Rats carry germs but germs can be washed off you know! It's good to be concerned about hygiene but no need to be paranoid about it either. See about getting a professional exterminator in if the traps don't help, then do a good house cleaning. :-) And no, if they haven't chewed through the plastic the stuff inside should be fine, no need to wash the stuff inside closed bags/boxes... just wipe the exposed surfaces like the shelves and the top of containers %26amp; boxes and all, they walk/run on shelves as easily as on the floors.We have rats in our attic. My parents go up there bare foot and then walk around the house. Is that ok?
ARE YOU SURE THEY'RE RATS? UNUSUAL TO HAVE RATS IN A ATTIC. THEY ARE MORE APT TO HANG OUT CLOSER TO GROUND LEVEL (BASEMENTS, ETC.). SURE THEY'RE NOT SQUIRRELS?
Unless they step all over the rats' poop should be fine. Just FYI, diseases can be transmitted through a rat's poop.
No because unlike rat poop which you can see, you cannot see their urine. That is plain gross and rats also carry disease.
yes,nothing wrong with it at all
not really cause rats could carry diseases and it could get on their feet.

How soon after our house is exterminated is it safe to bring back my pet rats?

Our house is being exterminated in the morning and I have no one to watch my rats. I am going to have to take them to work. I do not want to expose them too soon to fumes and have them get sick or worse. So how many hours after the guy sprays can I bring my babies back in the house? Please I need to know ASAP. Thanks.How soon after our house is exterminated is it safe to bring back my pet rats?
Well if you go in the house and don't smell anything or it's really faint, you can take them in then and put a fan on low by them to blow away any possible fumes. If your concerned they'll get cold put in scrap piece of material, but I doubt they will.

What do you use for bedding in your rats cage?

I know that pine and cedar bedding is bad for the little guys. I'm currently using ripped up newspapers in both of the rat cages, but they always chew up the stuff I have on the bottom of the cage and put it in their box, when I already put lots in their box and everywhere else in their cage. So the bottom gets dirty very fast, and gets hard to clean.


What is another easy (and cheap) thing I can use for my rats bedding?What do you use for bedding in your rats cage?
Okay, figured I'd give you the run down from what I have used thus far for my own rats:





I have used newspaper which apparently can be harmful so I stopped (some is fine but the regular newspaper delivered to my home was not).


I have used fabric for bedding which smelled the day it went in so I nixed that quickly (though some individuals swear by it)!


I have used Carefresh which my rats were allergic to and Aspen which I was allergic to.





Then I found Yesterday's News for Small Animals. It keeps the smell down, it doesn't hurt their little feet, it isn't toxic, it stays dry, neither my rats nor I am allergic to it (yay!) and I don't need to change it more than once a week. Bingo! The price is right for me when it comes to the bedding as it isn't any more than Carefresh at PetSmart for the amount.





I use Kaytee's bedding with lavender scent for their litter box so that it is a different smell and texture than the bedding so they can tell the difference. I don't like using Kaytee products as I have strong negative feelings towards their food choices for small animals, but I am liking the litter bedding so far.





Hope that was helpful!What do you use for bedding in your rats cage?
theres lots of products at pet stores my favorite brand is Kaytee and its called Total Comfort its really soft and absorbent i found that they do like shredded news paper but it doesnt last long. you can get the litter at walmart for a good price but it might not be the same brand still it works well ive had to use it a time or two.
Use aspen wood shavings, they are safe to use and do not cause respiratory problems like pine and cedar. That's what I use, then you can give them paper or toilet paper to shred and use for bedding. Plus the aspen shavings work well for absorbing odor and urine.
Use carefresh... it is a type of bedding you can get at petsmart... it looks like stuffing, the litlle guys love it! Thye sleep in it! You can also get a type of it at Target, it is fluffy, they love it!
A python.

How long does it take to grow a rats-tail?

The back of my hair is about 5 1/2 cm long. I'm going for the rats tail haircut. How long does it take to grow ti long enough or is my hair long enough already. Also, what do I ask the hairdresser when i'm getting a rat-tail?? Like can u please cut everywhere but leave the rat tail or whatever?How long does it take to grow a rats-tail?
your hair grows 1/2 inch a month on average. and when telling your stylist what you want...just explain that you want a rat tail...or trying to grow one...they will work with it. not that i am condoning your rat tail...but just being honest. lolHow long does it take to grow a rats-tail?
Rat tail? Seriously?
Ewwwww don't get a rats tail they are disgusting! they are a turn off... BIG TIME

What are some unique names for female albino rats?

I'm going to get 2 rats for christmas and I need some help with naming them. Does anyone have any unique ideas, preferably not common or human names.What are some unique names for female albino rats?
i think leilani sounds nice pronounced laylaniWhat are some unique names for female albino rats?
I'd name her Dolly.


Correction, I would name her Molly.


I know these are human names but they seem to fit :)
snake food

What is the most effective way to kill rats?

Almost every hour I see a rat round around our house. At night when I am in my room I see them running around and they freak me out. I tried using that yellow sticky paper but it only caught lizards and not rats. I've used rat killer powder more than a week ago now and I still couldn't smell any dead rat.


These rats have been bothering me and the thing is, I am suriphobic (scared of rats) so I really have to get rid of them.


PLEASE HEEEEEELP!!!!!!What is the most effective way to kill rats?
First of all why are there rats in your house. Try using mouse traps but put peanut butter on the traps so it will make them go to it. Don't leave food or drinks out. Always close the toilet seats because they drink out of them. Eventually they will get hungry so they will die by not eating or die on the rat traps.What is the most effective way to kill rats?
You need to find and eliminate the reason why the rats are there in the first place.





If you have a dog, the vitamin K found in many brands of dog food often counteracts the ingredients in the posion baits. Make sure your rats have no access to it.





Most effective rat killer - call the local pound and ask if they have any feral or barn cats to adopt. This are normally unadoptable because they don't make ';good pets';.
Set up a cage- put some food and water in it, maybe a shirt too and when you wake up and the damn cute thing is in there sleeping and cuddling- close the door and continue to feed it and take care of it...

tvs

What are rats like as pets in comparison to gerbils?

I currently have 2 gerbilsWhat are rats like as pets in comparison to gerbils?
BETTER BETTER BETTER!





haha no offense.





They are so lovable!


They are affectionate and intelligent.


They can learn tricks.


Some people think they smell but they really dont!


I own 2!





These are sort of my first rats,


(bought a rat and then 2 weeks later it died :( I was very sad)


But i got new ones and i have had these rats for over a month and i love them!


Dont know how i lived with out them!





They each have there own personallties. Its really cool.


Also they have different tastes (well mine do. there a bit spoiled)








Ya im not a big fan of the tail but you get used to it.


I wanted a pet that wouldnt bite me


(bad expericence with a bunny, lets just say we sold it and i was left with a bloody eye :( Im all better :) )





They pracically never bite.





Sorry i keep going on but i love rats and i want the world to see how nice and sweet they are, not some sewer rats :(





They are very playful, and love when your around.





Im teaching mine right now how to beg, then im going to litter box train them, (well im trying)





There is a lot to them, more than people see.





And you only can see it if you or your friend has one and you hold it and play with it.What are rats like as pets in comparison to gerbils?
Rats are much more intelligent and friendly...they are sort of like little, funny looking dogs...when tame they will follow you about, they will climb up their cage when you are about and ';beg'; for attention, they can learn tricks, learn their names, they will lick your fingers, nose and anything else you let them lick lol, they are adorable, sweet and amazing pets.





Edit: rats dont smell too bad if kept clean, certainly more than gerbils though. They have a urine smell too.
Rats are very smart and respond to their names and can learn tricks. I have 6 females right now and they can stand up on their back legs and spin in a circle on command. They have so much love to give and love to ride on your shoulder. Gerbils tend to not care if you are there or not but your ratties will always want to be with you. the do equire a lot of stimulation and at least on hour out of cage a day. They are great pets!!
once you have ratties, you really don't ever want anything else, they are so interactive with humans its impossible to describe, you have to see it for yourself, mine all trundle out about 7.50 pm and they freerange all downstairs, they don't chew and they certainly don't smell, sawdust and wire shelves and tanks,are old hat - a nice big cage with fancy fleece on the shelves and nice hammocks and beds, certainly looks the part in your living room, and gobsmacks visitors when they realise rats are inside, especially when you shout their names and they all come a running to you, oh and after 12 males and quite a few years I haven't been bitten, if you look after them well %26amp; show them respect %26amp; plenty of fussing, they'll love you, although the way to a rats heart is definately through his fat belly, over the years I have kept many pets, and nothing yet has beaten the rats, do a search for rat cage images, you'll see loads of pics what people have done with their cages they look brill,
Rats are brilliant, mine sits on my shoulder and cleans me lol, she'll stay on my shoulder all day if she was allowed, i have another who sleeps on your shoulder and won't leave, i had another who was huge but he was the biggest softy EVER.


Basically GET A RAT!
Well, first: Rats are more intelligent. I have 3. i also have 4 gerbils and let me tell you, rats are WAY better pets than gerbils! My gerbils bite. A lot! I talked to a lot of other gerbil owners and they told me their gerbils bite too! Rats are way better pets. Hope I helped!
gerbils playon you. rats play WITH you!


rats can be tought tricks!


Make sure you have 2 or more because they are very social and get lonely at night


do some research before you get them though!


they should bve kept in ferret cages or a critter nation or a rat manor
Rats are more interactive. Have you thought about degus? They're the best of both worlds. I love my two, they're really funny and affectionate.
In my opinion rats are better than gerbils (no offense to gerbil lovers) They are more intelligent and loyal and loveable. Umm here's a website on them. http://www.essortment.com/all/ratspetsin鈥?/a>
Agree wholeheartedly we have had rats in the past and they are very intelligent, and love sitting with you.


They can also be taught tricks.
Rats are more friendly, but they smell really badly too and require more space and food etc.





Gerbils sometimes smell a bit like urine, rats smell like pig sh1t.
rats have a way better bond with humans thatn gerbils, rats can crave your attention and even compete for it and can be tame very easily and taught to perform a wide variety of tricks
rats are way better! (my opinion) they are more sociable. once you've gained your rats trust, they are really lovable! x
rats are the best. ive got 2 males and they are so sweet and they do NOT smell of pig crap. mine actually smell like disgestive biscuits
well rats are more Intelligent and inquisitive

What part of their body can't pet rats lick?

I want to give one of my pet rats some Eucalyptus oil, as she suffers from respiratory problems, which she is receiving antibiotics for, and she is very mucousy. I have heard that Eucalyptus is good for removing the mucous, but that it shouldn't be ingested! So, I have mixed a tiny bit of the oil into some olive oil, now I just need to know where to put it, where she won't be able to lick it off.





Thanks.What part of their body can't pet rats lick?
Rats can lick every part of their body!What part of their body can't pet rats lick?
Is it safe to put eucylptus oil on a rat? I wouldnt.





Have you tried steaming her instead? get her in a small well ventilated cage, boil water in a saucepan, put the saucepan near the cage with a few drops of the oil in it (but not close enough for her to reach and burn herself of course) then cover with a towel or shower curtain and check on her every 10 minutes.





We did this with my boy for 20mins to half an hour each night. He smelled pretty afterwards but that was about it.





If you have a nebuliser or your vet does, get a prescription for some nebuliser meds and steam her that way. It'll be much more effective.





Give her a small piece of dark cooking chocolate - its good for chest congestion
Right behind the head (between the shoulder blades). If you put it on top of her head, she can use her paws to clean that and lick her paws, thus ingesting the oil.
It is the same as where you put flea medicine on dogs and cats. At the base of the head and top of the neck. Towards the center of the shoulder blades.
the nect no mamal or pest can turn its head all the way around and lick it neck. I hope this is satisfactory ^-^
the back of her head or neck but if she lives in a cage with other rats then they will probably lick it off so its probably best if you separate her for a while, while she gets better
The top of the had, unles she has an unusually lobg tounge or she is smart enoug tol uses her hand/leg/arm to get it off
I think that the rat would struggle to lick the top of his head!
Right below her chin if she has one or on her throat.
their head, but if you do put it on her head put her in another cage as the other rat will lick it off
the top of the head
the nipple
top of the head maby behind the neck
they cant lick there tounge ahah
on the back of its head
back of her head .........between her ears
the top of her head
their elbows?
I wouldnt give Eucalyptus oil either its harsh on sensitive noses. I also wouldnt steam. It potentially stressful to the rat and has been proven ineffective





http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/ab ... 71/14/1109





Thats a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study which found no effect of steam inhalation on cold symptoms





and also





http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/c ... frame.html





That one is a systematic review ( a review of all the articles on the suject) which '; concluded that ';there is insufficient evidence to support the use of steam inhalation as a treatment';





Also this paper http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articl ... id=1472796 Which says that steaming has no effect and has been known to cause burns in children so should not be recommended.





So the evidence suggests there is no benefit even for the upper respiratory tract and the British Journal of general practice advises it should not be recommended.





Instead your vet can give you bisolvan which is a powder that will loosen the mucus, def a better alternative, they can also give you anti inflams, bronchodilator, and diuretics often help with pneumonia. What antibiotic is she on and what dose? vets often underdose rats. If you get no improvement your vet should give you another type or combination

What can I use to get rid of rats and not harm my cats?

I have cats and dogs and the uninvited rats. My cats do catch and eat them some but I still have them and I need to get them gone fast due to my over whelming fear of mice and rats. I can't afford to move nor do I want to since I live in the house my grandparents owned.What can I use to get rid of rats and not harm my cats?
Try an exterminator. Or use D-Con rat poison.What can I use to get rid of rats and not harm my cats?
Thank you all I was hoping to not have to use traps but this seems like the best way. The reason I wasn't wanting to use traps was fear of my animals getting caught in them. The woods across the street where taken down and now the neighborhood is dealing with this problem and we have all using traps

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Get more cats and a dog like a Scottie or Rat Terrier (both are bred for catching rats).





You can also put traps in places the cats and dogs can't get to. They do make safety traps made so cats don't get caught so easy, but they might be too small depending how big your rats are.





Also, make sure you don't have an easy food source for the rats. They won't want to stick around if there is nothing to eat.








Do not use poison because you don't want your other pets to either eat the poison directly or eat a poisoned rat.
Please don't use D-Con like someone else suggested since you have pets, if your pets eat a rat that has ingested the poison it will poison them too, or they can possible get into the poison too.





Effective, humane methods of rodent control do not target the animals themselves but instead target the conditions that attract the animals to certain areas. Taking away their sources of food and shelter is the only sure way to deter these animals. Killing them will only cause others to move into the newly formed “vacancy.” The problem of rodent intrusion is largely preventable by maintaining clean, sanitary conditions and plugging holes or cracks where mice or rats might enter a building. Here are a few simple tips that you can follow to prevent rodent infestations


*Deter rodents from places that can't be mouse- or rat-proofed with a mixture of salad oil, garlic, horseradish, and cayenne pepper. Let this sit for four days, then strain it into a spray bottle and spray it on the desired area. Cotton balls soaked with peppermint oil work well, as do moth balls.


*Keep counter surfaces, floors, and cabinets free of crumbs or food droppings.


*Keep piles of wood, bushes, and other plants about 1.5 feet away from the house in order to allow a clearing between them and the building.


*Restrict rodents' access to other sources of food, such as birdfeeders, pet food, garden seed, and fertilizers.


*Seal holes larger than 0.25 inch in diameter, cracks in the walls and floors, and spaces around doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures.


*Store all food and garbage in well-sealed containers made of materials that can't be gnawed through, such as metal, ceramic, or glass.





Of course the best route would be a professional exterminator
First you need to know how bad the infestation is, you can do this by sighting of the how many rodents or the amount of droppings. Either way if you see more than 2 rats or new fresh droppings everyday then you have a problem.


D-con or another type bait is OK to use if you get the bait boxes and tie wire them with bait inside for safety. the draw back is the rodent can die inside the home. but most try to make it out side.


Glue traps can be used also, the draw back is a big enough rat can take it with him.


Traps are also one of the options, the draw back is usually you can only use the trap one time.


An exterminator will use all or at least one of the methods above. Getting rid of rats does take some patience and perseverance The exterminator would be my choice. but then I was one for years.

Is it okay to keep two baby male rats in a aquarium until they are bigger and I can get a cage?

Okay so I'm planning on getting two baby male rats, and I have an extra tank for them. I was wondering if it would be big enough for them until I can find a good cage for them. Because I want them to be able to move around and breathe without harming themselves. Hurry and answer!!!!!Is it okay to keep two baby male rats in a aquarium until they are bigger and I can get a cage?
Its never recommended to keep rats in tanks at all. If its only for a few days I'm sure it wouldn't hurt if you used correct bedding like Carefresh or some old towel or fleece. I wouldn't keep them in it longer than a week at the most though. Tanks have very bad ventilation and can cause upper respiratory infections in all small animals.





They wont fight however. That's a common misconception. I have 5 male rats, all different ages and they all live harmoniously together.





Good luck with your boys! Email me if you need more help or check out Goosemoose.com. Great rat site you should join.Is it okay to keep two baby male rats in a aquarium until they are bigger and I can get a cage?
Two baby males will be ok in a 20 gallon or bigger tank for a few weeks, however make sure you get them into a large wire cage as soon as you can. If you are going to keep them in a tank, make sure you clean in 2-3 times a week to avoid any build up of ammonia from urine that may harm your rats.





This is not ideal, but it will be ok for a short amount of time.
i usually start my guys off in a 20 gallon tank. the reason i do this is because the wires on my cage are not good for them till they are big enough that they cant squeeze out of them. i thought they were big enough one time and put them in and my smaller one squeezed right out. i almost had a heart attack. just keep it clean and watch them for the first few hours they are in the new cage
i do not think you should maybe they will fight

How to prepare for the birth of my rats?

My sister bought a rat at a pet store and we just found out she pregnant. We estimated she's a bought 20 days into her pregnancy. The vet said i should began to prepare for the litter. Can anyone give me advice on how to prepare for it.How to prepare for the birth of my rats?
Buy some rat traps! How to prepare for the birth of my rats?
This web can!


http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/information/鈥?/a>

Can my rats still learn to use the litter box?

My rats are about 6 months old. Are they too old to learn how to use the litter box? Also what kind of toys do you give our rats, and what do they sleep in?Can my rats still learn to use the litter box?
Most of my male rats love their hammocks. My girls want no part of it other than to climb thru it on occasion. All my ratties love boxes with an opening and some shredded newspaper to fill it with. None of my ratties are litter box trained. I gave up and they all use the litter box as a place to sleep with some shredded newspaper in it. I also have plastic igloos (large ones) for the ratties in their cage too, as well as plastic baskets that are a bit open so they can get airflow in them. I make my own hammocks from fleece. But they get peed on, pooped on and chewed up, and that's to be expected. They also need to be washed on a regular basis, so perhaps you'd want to get 2 more tubes for your rats since they liked theirs so much and you'll have a spare for when you wash one. I give my ratties some ferret and cat toys that are safe, like balls. I've found puppy type tug toys for them too, and some bird toys. Toddler toys are fun - they're sturdy enough and big enough for the ratties to climb on and in depending on what it is. They like things they can chew the best - like empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls, and shredded newspaper with their boxes for decorating.





It's never too late to litter box train a rat - it just requires persistence and patience and I lack that with how many ratties I have, so they can do their thing and be happy.Can my rats still learn to use the litter box?
heavens no! Rats are highly intellegiant animals and can always be taught new things! I highly doubt you wouldn't be able to teach them how to use the litter box





For toys, I give my two wooden balls (wooden wicker type balls....made for small animals), cardboard (they llooovvveee to shred it up), and really anything safe for them.





And for sleeping in do you mean what to use for the bedding in the cage? If yes, I highly recommend CareFresh. I use that for my two and I love it!


Or for an actual bed type thing: I've tried giving my rats something to sleep on (three times already) and they still choose to sleep in the one corner..and if I put the bed or towel in that corner they will move it hehe
u may still have a chance to teach them to use the litter box. my rat sleeps in a wooden hut. it has to little holes cut out for entering and exiting. and its great for her to chew on. and i made a hammock and tunnel out of old socks. i also made a braided rope out of old socks for her to tug on. i even tie her treats somewhere in her cage. she has to climb to get to it and they are in a different spot every time i clean her cage. its a good hide and seek game.

tvs

Are there are natural treatments for tumours in rats?

My female rat (3 years old) has a tumour on her side.


It is not attached to her and is free to move around.


Other than having it surgically removed, are there any treatments that will make it go away or at the very least stop it getting bigger?


I am very worried about her and would appreciate some help.


Thankyou.Are there are natural treatments for tumours in rats?
Right now, surgical removal or prevention by spaying are the best ways to deal with tumors in rats. Some people claim that there are some homeopathic treatments for them, but I have never seen any proof that these miracle cures exist.





There is a new drug called Tamoxifen that is helping treat and prevent tumors. It is expensive though.





Check this page out: http://www.ratfanclub.org/tamox.html





Instead of putting their rats through surgery, a lot of people with old rats like yours will leave the tumor alone until it gets so big that it negatively affects the rat's quality of life, and then they have their rat humanely put to sleep.





Good luck.Are there are natural treatments for tumours in rats?
it has to be surgically removed im afraid if its growing-I had a rat with a tumour on his face and it had to be removed- sadly it came back but that may not be the case with yours. your vet will have a better idea if its cancerous of if its safe to leave it.any natural remedies could do more harm than good if you dont know what you are doing
Sure...Snakes
I don't know
I heard chewing tobacco works.
Well theres not much you can do except for surgery which i would suggest because its can get really uncomfy for the rat as it gets bigger. My rats has grown so big she cant jump up anymore to reach her water so i had to lower it. She will have difficulty moving soon and i feel so bad for her. I couldnt get hers removed because it was rapped in with her organs. I would take you ratty to the vet.
Unfortunately there is no cure for cancer. The vet could have a look and see if it is removable but i am positive there is nothing medically that you can do at home.





I am very sorry.
Well, Those Tumors that move around are called Lymphoind Tumors(or something like that) Which pretty much means that it is not harmful to the rat... It is a tumor of fat! Gross but a relieving Truth! I had a rat that got cancer in His tail(He weighed 5 pounds so surgery was an option) But the vet didnt really have any other possiblities than to surgecially remove it or amputate the tail before it spread... He was around 4(Not exactly sure how old he was because some dude dropped him off at my lemonade stand when I was younger while I was in the house!) I decided against both and I just let him live out his life as an old fart of a rat... he died about 2 months later... I wouldnt worry about the tumor though! Maybe call your vet and comfirm what I believe but I dont think its anything harmful!
cats
Wow, rats with cancer? that's a new one


as far as I know it you have to cut it off, that's the guarantee of removing it.


for safer, less-effective methods... honestly i have no idea
tumors are very common in rats. i've heard broccoli may help slow or stop the growth of tumors, but usually once they're there, they're there. if it doesn't impede her movement i wouldn't have it removed. surgery in such a small animal can be risky, and there's a good chance it can grow back. but if it gets big enough that it's effecting her quality of life or is making her sick, then i would see about removal. i have had some rats that have had some very big tumors and were able to live several years without problems.

Who should I call to find the dead rats in the attic? We have 18in thick insulation up there.?

The smell is getting bad. We can't see them so they must be UNDER the insulation. Should we call a hazmat team? Animal control? I just don't know. We put poison out a few months ago... and have no idea how many are up there.Who should I call to find the dead rats in the attic? We have 18in thick insulation up there.?
The smell will be gone in a week. The real issue is finding out how they are getting in is so it dosen't happen again.Who should I call to find the dead rats in the attic? We have 18in thick insulation up there.?
thats exacty why using posion is a bad idea just buy traps next time now you could find a stray cat and lock him in your attic for a day or two lol just kidding the posioned rats wouuld kill the cat i would make the person who told you to put the posion out climb up there and get them out hiring some one probable wont work cuz it is going to be very hard to find a rat especialy with thay much insulation just throw some air fresheners up there a nd burn some sented candles till it goes away
Call a pest control company. HAZMAT is for emergency situations like chemical spills.
Orkin
Could be very $$$$$ to have someone crawl around up there and find dead rodents.


Good news is that eventually flies will consume the corpses by laying larve in them. Then the smell is gone.

Where can I find tree collars to prevent rats from climbing my trees?

Last year, the rats ate all of my cherries, so I'm looking for a plastic collar this year to stop them.Where can I find tree collars to prevent rats from climbing my trees?
Fix sheet tin around the trunks.


else ask power supply companies where they buy thiers for polesWhere can I find tree collars to prevent rats from climbing my trees?
I'd find out where the rats are coming from and get rid of them.
I'd buy a cheap lampshade at a tag sale, cut it and fashion it around the tree!

What is the best of way to get rid of the smell of dead mice/rats from the fridge after you scoop them out?

After noticing a bad smell in my kitchen, I found dead rodents underneath my refrigerator. I took them out, but the smell is still there. I cleaned the floor and the area but it's been 4 days and the smell is bad enough I get a headache. What else can I do to get rid of this annoying smell?What is the best of way to get rid of the smell of dead mice/rats from the fridge after you scoop them out?
Krisz has the right idea, but PLEASE don't mix bleach and ammonia. You will end up with chlorine gas which can kill you. Google ';ammonia bleach mix'; to get the idea. Scrub the area with some other cleaning solution.What is the best of way to get rid of the smell of dead mice/rats from the fridge after you scoop them out?
PHEW! the top of the question looked like they were INSIDE the fridge!!!








Some may have been in contact with the fridge itself. Carefully (with help) tip the fridge up at an angle,, maybe against the sink, put bricks under it so it doesn't fall back on you, and wash the bottom of the fridge with a strong ammonia bleach mixture. Use the same on the floor. This will kill any remaining bacteria .


Then go over it with a mixture of water and baking soda (bicarbonate of soda about $3 from supermarket or grocerystore) to neutralise the bleach.


Leave a tray of baking soda (powder) under the fridge to absorb any remaining odours.





Squirt around regularly with a good anti-bacterial odour remover like Glen20.





Put out rodent baits where they can be caught before making it to the fridge; if you don't likethe idea of traps that chop their heads, you can get box traps with poison in.
That's a tough one. But, I've had really good success with a product called FRIDGE IT odor absorbers - Go out and get a couple of these activated carbon odor absorbers - little purple odor absorber- not the imitations. costs around $3 dollars each and place a couple in the fridge and freezer. Maybe also other areas in kitchen. Totally unscented so it actually eliminates odor rather than covering up with some nasty fragrance.


I've used these for worst smells including spoiled fish in car and for closets and horrible smell in fridge etc. they work really fast and are FANTASTIC%26gt; No spills or chemicals to worry about. You can buy these in kitchen gadget stores or just go direct which is what I do - contact them at customerservice@innofresh.com and ask for order form. You get it right away. Also, noticed you can buy it at Starcrest catalog too. Definitely the way to go. try it.


Good luck
Get some Fabreze the kind for your problem.Also some baking soda by Arm-n-Hammer absorbes smells.
Do Not under any circumstances mix Ammonia and Bleach.


It creates a poisonous gas.
baking soda ,in a dish ,stir it up every day ,change in 2 day intervals.............tom
Wow... maybe some ammonia. Be careful with it, though.

Will a worm farm in the city attract rats?

Some volunteers built a small raised-bed garden for our low-income apartment building. The soil looks like pretty good sandy loam, at least a foot deep, but short on nutrients and with NO organic matter whatsoever, and NO worms (or any other living beasties, as far as I can tell.) We'll buy some organic additives before we plant, but I would like to get some worms in as soon as possible. I'd like to set up a worm farm. but we already have trouble with rats, and we don't want more!





What is the absolutely cheapest set-up for a worm bin, that will be secure from rats? Do you have a persuasive argument for keeping it inside, that would work on staff worried about hygiene and odor?Will a worm farm in the city attract rats?
Worm boxes do not smell if you only include non-meat scraps in your box. Just include veggie scraps, coffee grinds, egg shells, paper napkins and towels, etc. After I dump my veggie scraps into my worm box, I cover the assortment (to keep out the flies) with straw (you could use newspaper) before I put on the lid .





For a cheap worm box, you could buy a plastic storage container with a lid (like from Target or Wal-Mart). Start out by filling it half full of newspaper torn in strips. Follow the instructions that come with your worms. My commercial worm box drains into another box where all the worm ';pee'; accumlates. I pour this onto my plants. If your box does not have holes in the bottom, then you will need to drain off this liquid from time to time to keep the worms from drowning!!





You could weigh down the lid with something heavy or cover the lid with chicken wire. I have mine out in my back yard. Even though we have rats and raccoons in our yard at night, they have never bothered my worm box.





I have my worm box outside under some trees all year round, but I live in Northern California. The box should not be in hot sun (you will cook the worms!) or in a place that freezes. Some people keep them in their garage or basement.





Good Luck!!Will a worm farm in the city attract rats?
Get some small-meshed chicken wire and 2x2s, make a small cage around wormery. Rats should not be a problem with the small amounts of vegetable materials involved.If you have enough rats to make it a problem, you should deal with them for health and hygiene reasons, (you mentioned ';staff';).
I have one of the systems that is described in the website below and we keep it in the house with no odors of any kind. The important thing to remember is that only vegetable matter should go into the bins. Cooked items are OK as long as they don't have any oils on them.





I've just used worms from the yard to start it so far and they are taking their good old time multiplying, I am considering buying some worms, but I'm having a problem with spending so much for worms.

What are good ways to get rid of rats/mice?

They are not pet mice, they are wild mice and are some how getting in our house. I would like to know ways to not let any more in the house and to get rid of the ones that are inside. Also good rat/mouse poison and/or traps (they do not have to be humane). Good websites would be helpful.





ThanksWhat are good ways to get rid of rats/mice?
Go to the shelter and save a couple of ferrel cats. Feed them outside and you will never have a problem with mice. Otherwise, place the sticky traps in strategic spots, so you wont have to use any poison. They will go someplace to smell and die where you may not be able to retrieve them, like between walls. Ugh!What are good ways to get rid of rats/mice?
Well, it's disgusting...but last year I scattered fox urine all around the perimeter of the house. I had a problem early in the fall (Minnesota--they start coming in around October), but I didn't see any after that. I have humane traps set that I bait and re-bait every week in the fall/winter months....but they were empty after fox urine. However, I just now checked one of my humane traps (hadn't checked them all summer as that's not usually a problem)...and there was a goner in one from god knows when. He was stuck...it was gross, and defeated the purpose of the humane trap. Anyway, off I go for more fox urine. I have holes around my garage where they get in easily. I have a sports car that I store in the winter (in the garage). I put moth balls in the car and all over the garage so they don't eat my car or build nests in it (I've had rats and mice inside internal parts in cars in the past, chewing wires and messing everything up....when I lived in another part of town....so I'm just being precautious.
A mouse can get into your house through a hole the size of your pinkie finger so you have to seal everything with metal mesh and spray foam insulation. Personally I find plastic snap traps and glue traps to be the most effective things. We can't buy any of the poisons that you seem to be able to get. Anyway with poison they crawl off and die in places where you can't reach the bodies - very smelly and annoying.
Luckily enough, I haven't had this problem. Probably because I have cats that catch mice and birds. I did, however, find this very useful website in my searches and I've used it quite a few times. Here's the link. Hope it helps.


http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/mice鈥?/a>



This stuff works good in the barn and on the boat.


http://www.critter-repellent.com/

tvs

Why are Rats or Mice attracted to Attics on roofs ?

At Night I sometimes hear scratching inside my roof, not sure if its Rats or Mice, and sometimes I hear it or them squeal, also sometimes I hear them run around inside my walls.





So wondering why they are going in the roof, are they trying to get in my house? And I wonder why they are attracted to my roof when I know there is no food up there.Why are Rats or Mice attracted to Attics on roofs ?
It is not the food that attracts them, it is the fact that you and your cat are not there.


Entry takes the longest and is the most dangerous.


Once in the walls they can multiply and attack the food source at will and at random when you are asleep or not at home.


The have instincts that God gave them to outsmart you.Why are Rats or Mice attracted to Attics on roofs ?
It might be raccoons because we had a problem like that before. The reason they like it is because they use the fiberglass thats instalating your house for making beds. Because they have such thick fur the fiber glass dosent make them ichy. They find food on their own and then come store it in your attic. The attic also protects them from bad stormy weather. Racoons make high pich squeal sounds too. To check if you have coons circle your house to see if you have any holes in the siding or panels. the coons at my house got in from rotten siding by the chimny. They are a hassle to shoo away.





Hope you dont have coons. : )
well i am no animal genious but they like it up there cause some of your houses AC/HEATED air is getting up there which makes the rats cooler or warmer i suggest you call a person who takes care of these kinds of problems. for now u should keep windows open for cool air and close them and put ur heater hot enough to heat your body this way you can cut off some of thier warmth.

If I had a pet rat in my shed, would this put off wild rats coming in to my shed?

no...the wild rats probably wouldnt even see or know that the pet rat was even there! lol


but u can give it a try. =]If I had a pet rat in my shed, would this put off wild rats coming in to my shed?
Of course not. Wild rats would visit, socialize and give your rat fleas and diseases that it wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to acquire.If I had a pet rat in my shed, would this put off wild rats coming in to my shed?
i can't see that working, it might even draw attention to your shed because the wild rats smell the others
No, it wouldn't. The rats are visiting because it's warm and there's food.





You should set some traps or lay poison, but make sure that the rabbit can't get to it or it will die as well. You may need to take the rabbit someplace else whilst you do this.
That chef from ratatouille
It would actually do the opposite and attract wild rats. They would likely come out of their way to socialise or mooch for food from your pet rat. If you want to get rid of the rats set out traps that will not kill them, such as ones from 'Have a Heart' brand and then release them far away from your house. Poisons in the shed with your rabbits would likely lead to accidents. Good luck! :)
From what I have read in articles on the Internet then yes is the answer. If and only if the rats you kept were male. The scent of the other male rats would deter other rattie visitors as rats are cautious and steer clear of other rat's territory. However, if the rats you keep in the shed are female then you are inviting trouble.
You dont keep a pet rat in the shed. How would you like it?
Wild rats would probably kill it and eat it.