getting a rat...advise needed.

[DeesBalls]

Just getting a small rat to help scent some of my f/t and wondering if a 10 Gallon would be okay? Or what... preferable let me know with 20 min. From now..... sorry for short notice.

[BarelyBreathing]

Are you planning to keep it as a pet? If so, I'd recommend a wire cage made for rats. These are not expensive.

[DeesBalls]

Yes it will be a pet. Where can I get those?

[Gungirl]

Any pet store should have the wire cages.. You can house it in a 10 gallon until you find what you are looking for. Just make sure you secure the lid of the tank.

[DeesBalls]

Will do. Thanks all.

[BarelyBreathing]

Be careful with a tank, because rats can actually chew through the screen. Put some wood over it or something. But yeah, as Kat said, and pet store will carry the wire cages.

[Gungirl]

When I was breeding rats I housed them all in 40 gallon glass fish tanks with no issues. I just used clamps to hold the lid down... Never once did I have a rat try to chew through the wire mesh. I had rats that way for 2ish years with no issues.

Yes a wire cage is better but tanks work.

[BarelyBreathing]

That's cool, Kat. All of my rats, pets or otherwise, have chewed through the screen when I kept them in aquariums.

[DeesBalls]

the tank will just be temporary, until i can find a cheaper cage (wired) pet store had some nice ones, but for $75.... waay to much for me (right now)

[DeesBalls]

could some one link me to a rat cage? lol having no luck

[EmbraceCalamity]

The Grotto (http://www.dapper.com.au/grotto.htm)

That's what I made out of an old bookcase, and my rat loves it. Wasn't hard. Just put two doors on it, cut some holes in the shelves, and filled it with stuff for her.

EDIT: And with what it cost to have the doors made ($20) plus the few bucks for hinges, it was really cheap. :)

~Maggot

[DeesBalls]

The Grotto (http://www.dapper.com.au/grotto.htm)

That's what I made out of an old bookcase, and my rat loves it. Wasn't hard. Just put two doors on it, cut some holes in the shelves, and filled it with stuff for her.

EDIT: And with what it cost to have the doors made ($20) plus the few bucks for hinges, it was really cheap. :)

~Maggot

wow... i just went right to the picture and was like.... "waaay to much" but after seeing it was only like 20 bucks or so... maybe i will do something like that...i do have a bookshelve (2 shelves) that i had a gecko in (just top) but traded him. the only thing, is that the cage will be going on the top of my 4'x2'x2' cage for my tortoise, and i dont want the rat IN the reptile room, but he will be by it.

[alessia55]

The Grotto (http://www.dapper.com.au/grotto.htm)

That's what I made out of an old bookcase, and my rat loves it. Wasn't hard. Just put two doors on it, cut some holes in the shelves, and filled it with stuff for her.

EDIT: And with what it cost to have the doors made ($20) plus the few bucks for hinges, it was really cheap. :)

~Maggot
That "Grotto" is amazing!!

[EmbraceCalamity]

wow... i just went right to the picture and was like.... "waaay to much" but after seeing it was only like 20 bucks or so... maybe i will do something like that...i do have a bookshelve (2 shelves) that i had a gecko in (just top) but traded him. the only thing, is that the cage will be going on the top of my 4'x2'x2' cage for my tortoise, and i dont want the rat IN the reptile room, but he will be by it.It was actually a lot cheaper than buying a cage (well she was in a 33 gallon Reptibreeze cage before), even though it looks super complicated and expensive. But I adore her so I wanted her to have tons of room and stuff. She's got four levels, a wheel, a digging box, a bed, a litter box, ramps, and a hammock.That "Grotto" is amazing!!I know right? I was so excited when I saw it. That site has a bunch of stuff you can make at home for rats too. I'm working on those. Just taking a break to make my croc gecko enclosure.

~Maggot

[Kavyrie]

I should look into makings something like that for my boys!

[DeesBalls]

update on the rat situation, ive had her since this thread started and she is doing great, im still working on a cage for her, but holidays and the baby are keeping me very busy, NOt to forget school,, and work. lol. :) stay tuned for more!

[EmbraceCalamity]

update on the rat situation, ive had her since this thread started and she is doing great, im still working on a cage for her, but holidays and the baby are keeping me very busy, NOt to forget school,, and work. lol. :) stay tuned for more!Enjoying your pet? She as friendly as mine? :)

~Maggot

[DeesBalls]

she is nice :) not to sure how to read bidy language like i would one of my snakes, lol.

[TeaNinja]

i used to breed some rats for snake food but i didn't like killing them so i was trading them to a pet store for frozens and it was just annoying so i eventually ended up giving them away. i have Tons of pictures on the forum from a few years ago when they were having litters. i admittedly go picture crazy sometimes. rats can be really cool animals, i like them.

[Corey209]

I know this is late but I gave my brother a 20g I wasn't using that had a metal cage thing as a top. His rats love it and like to climb around.


Zilla Fresh Air Terrarium Top Enclosures - Cage Accessories - Reptile Supplies (http://thereptilecenter.com/reptile-supplies/accessories/zilla-fresh-air-terrarium-top-enclosures.html)

[DeesBalls]

I know this is late but I gave my brother a 20g I wasn't using that had a metal cage thing as a top. His rats love it and like to climb around.


Zilla Fresh Air Terrarium Top Enclosures - Cage Accessories - Reptile Supplies (http://thereptilecenter.com/reptile-supplies/accessories/zilla-fresh-air-terrarium-top-enclosures.html)

this is actually pretty nice, i have a 20g long i am using curretnly for a bP, but when my rack is done, this would not be such a bad idea...:) thanks for the help, i just now started to do the custome cage anyways.

[DeesBalls]

i used to breed some rats for snake food but i didn't like killing them so i was trading them to a pet store for frozens and it was just annoying so i eventually ended up giving them away. i have Tons of pictures on the forum from a few years ago when they were having litters. i admittedly go picture crazy sometimes. rats can be really cool animals, i like them.

i was debetaing on breeding them, but i coudlnt kill them to freeze them, since all my snakes eat frozen thawed... but i will be getting a second rat though :) (another girl)

[EmbraceCalamity]

I know this is late but I gave my brother a 20g I wasn't using that had a metal cage thing as a top. His rats love it and like to climb around.


Zilla Fresh Air Terrarium Top Enclosures - Cage Accessories - Reptile Supplies (http://thereptilecenter.com/reptile-supplies/accessories/zilla-fresh-air-terrarium-top-enclosures.html)Eh, I had my girl in a 33 gallon, and I still didn't feel like that was big enough. Rats are very active animals.

~Maggot

[DeesBalls]

i will still make my cage, but that would be a good idea for a temporary thing or if there was one for 50 or bigger gallon cage

[Sorraia]

Don't know if these are in the price range you are considering, but check out http://www.martincages.com
Number of different models available at what many consider decent prices.

[DeesBalls]

takes me to dog crates?

[Sorraia]

Sorry about that, I was missing a letter in the link! This ought to work better. Martin's Cages Inc. - The source for all your pet cage needs. (http://www.martinscages.com/)

[DeesBalls]

those look cool. thanks 4 link

[Corey209]

i will still make my cage, but that would be a good idea for a temporary thing or if there was one for 50 or bigger gallon cage

The biggest they have for the top cage is 29g but my brother holds two adult rats in his with plenty enough room. Just because they're active doesn't mean they need a 50g.

[EmbraceCalamity]

The biggest they have for the top cage is 29g but my brother holds two adult rats in his with plenty enough room. Just because they're active doesn't mean they need a 50g.No one said they need a 50 gallon, but it's nice to give them more room than a little 29 gallon. That's an appropriate size for maybe two geckos that are a fraction the size of a rat and much less active. Plus, the fact that they're extremely intelligent means they do best with mental stimulation and toys, which is hard to provide in such a small cage.

~Maggot

[Corey209]

No one said they need a 50 gallon, but it's nice to give them more room than a little 29 gallon. That's an appropriate size for maybe two geckos that are a fraction the size of a rat and much less active. Plus, the fact that they're extremely intelligent means they do best with mental stimulation and toys, which is hard to provide in such a small cage.

~Maggot

He's only getting one rat for scent, a 29g is plenty big enough for a single rat. Plus with the zilla cage top you can add in a branch and the rat will climb all around the cage. He also already has the 20g so it would only cost him $20 for the top.

[EmbraceCalamity]

He's only getting one rat for scent, a 29g is plenty big enough for a single rat. Plus with the zilla cage top you can add in a branch and the rat will climb all around the cage. He also already has the 20g so it would only cost him $20 for the top.How is a branch to climb the same as "mental stimulation and toys"? That's just decor. And perhaps you didn't bother to read, but when asked, he said:Yes it will be a pet.So to care for it as a pet, it would do better in a larger enclosure with mental stimulation and toys.

~Maggot

[Corey209]

How is a branch to climb the same as "mental stimulation and toys"? That's just decor. And perhaps you didn't bother to read, but when asked, he said:So to care for it as a pet, it would do better in a larger enclosure with mental stimulation and toys.

~Maggot

Most people only keep climbing accessories for pet rats but the cheapest way for plenty of room would probably be a bird cage

[EmbraceCalamity]

Most people only keep climbing accessories for pet rats but the cheapest way for plenty of room would probably be a bird cageI see you're ignoring what I'm saying. And most people keep monitors in fish tanks. Doesn't mean it's the best way to care for them.

And, actually, the cheapest way would be to use old furniture and just make a few tweeks.

~Maggot

[Corey209]

I see you're ignoring what I'm saying. And most people keep monitors in fish tanks. Doesn't mean it's the best way to care for them.

And, actually, the cheapest way would be to use old furniture and just make a few tweeks.

~Maggot

Have you done scientific tests on the mental stimulation of rats? I'm pretty sure climbing is stimulating unless you want to build a maze for one rat.. and I doubt he wants to strip old furniture.

[EmbraceCalamity]

Have you done scientific tests on the mental stimulation of rats? I'm pretty sure climbing is stimulating unless you want to build a maze for one rat.. and I doubt he wants to strip old furniture.Climbing a branch hardly counts as mental stimulation. It's better than nothing, but here's an entire list of toys, houses, and games here:
Rat Toy Ideas (http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm)
And here's a setup with lots of real mental stimulation:
The Grotto (http://www.dapper.com.au/grotto.htm)

~Maggot

[Corey209]

Climbing a branch hardly counts as mental stimulation. It's better than nothing, but here's an entire list of toys, houses, and games here:
Rat Toy Ideas (http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm)
And here's a setup with lots of real mental stimulation:
The Grotto (http://www.dapper.com.au/grotto.htm)

~Maggot

That's a little over kill for a rat, half the people here don't put that much effort into their cages besides the heating.

[EmbraceCalamity]

That's a little over kill for a rat, half the people here don't put that much effort into their cages besides the heating.Seriously? I'm pretty sure most people here put a lot of effort into their setups.

And again, I didn't say any of this was necessary. I said it would help the rat do best as a pet.

~Maggot

[Corey209]

Seriously? I'm pretty sure most people here put a lot of effort into their setups.

And again, I didn't say any of this was necessary. I said it would help the rat do best as a pet.

~Maggot

The most recognized people here obviously put a lot of effort like with infernalis' monitors. But I can guarantee it only adds up to about 30-40% who actually put time into it.

[EmbraceCalamity]

The most recognized people here obviously put a lot of effort like with infernalis' monitors. But I can guarantee it only adds up to about 30-40% who actually put time into it.Please, please make a thread saying most people here don't put time into their enclosures except heat. I want to see this. :)

~Maggot

[Lankyrob]

That's a little over kill for a rat, half the people here don't put that much effort into their cages besides the heating.

You have been herre less than a month and have madew that judgement basedon what evidence? :pissedoff::pissedoff::pissedoff:

[Sorraia]

There are a lot of people who put quite a bit of effort into their pet rats beyond an aquarium or a branch. You would probably pass out if you saw some of the set ups I have! lol

I just came out of the rat hobby, after about 10 years of breeding them for show and pets, and some 20 years keeping them strictly as pets. I've seen a lot of changes over that time, and I've seen a lot of set ups. There are people out there who stick their rats in a tank (or even tubs) and call it done. But there are a lot of people who go well beyond that. There's a whole sector of the rat hobby that recommends a minimum of 2 cu ft cage space per rat. These people also deck out their cages with all kinds of equipment, including but not limited to multiple toys for mental stimulation, toys, chains, and branches for physical stimulation, various hides, hammocks, levels, balconies, etc. Some people even include litter boxes and put in the effort to litter train their rats (I used to, until a stubborn rat undid all my efforts in short order), others offer dig boxes and hide treats and toys in it so the rats can "forage" for food. There is a lot of effort put into diets beyond what you can buy in a pet store too.

I don't think it is fair to say "most" people do it any one particular way. There is also absolutely NO reason to discourage someone from putting full effort into their animals.

[EmbraceCalamity]

There are a lot of people who put quite a bit of effort into their pet rats beyond an aquarium or a branch. You would probably pass out if you saw some of the set ups I have! lol

I just came out of the rat hobby, after about 10 years of breeding them for show and pets, and some 20 years keeping them strictly as pets. I've seen a lot of changes over that time, and I've seen a lot of set ups. There are people out there who stick their rats in a tank (or even tubs) and call it done. But there are a lot of people who go well beyond that. There's a whole sector of the rat hobby that recommends a minimum of 2 cu ft cage space per rat. These people also deck out their cages with all kinds of equipment, including but not limited to multiple toys for mental stimulation, toys, chains, and branches for physical stimulation, various hides, hammocks, levels, balconies, etc. Some people even include litter boxes and put in the effort to litter train their rats (I used to, until a stubborn rat undid all my efforts in short order), others offer dig boxes and hide treats and toys in it so the rats can "forage" for food. There is a lot of effort put into diets beyond what you can buy in a pet store too.

I don't think it is fair to say "most" people do it any one particular way. There is also absolutely NO reason to discourage someone from putting full effort into their animals.I don't think he was even just talking about people here who keep pet rats (in fact, I don't know of any besides OP and me here who do). I think he was talking about all setups, since he mentioned heating, and rats pretty much never need heating.

~Maggot

[Sorraia]

I don't think he was even just talking about people here who keep pet rats (in fact, I don't know of any besides OP and me here who do). I think he was talking about all setups, since he mentioned heating, and rats pretty much never need heating.

~Maggot

I was referring more to the mention of tanks and maybe a topper with a branch being sufficient for rats. I know after that it kind of went on to include other critters and what seems to be "bare minimum". But to add to those here who keep pet rats, I have a few left, but don't plan to replace them once they go, at this current time.

[DeesBalls]

That's a little over kill for a rat, half the people here don't put that much effort into their cages besides the heating.

haha, have you seen some of my enclosures, and racks i have for my snakes?? plus i know alot of us here build our own enclosures for our snakes, or lizards, or what not... we all put alot of time into them..

I am keeping her as a pet, not food, so im not going to do the "bare minimun"- heck even if she was going to be food, she would still get fed right, cared for, and even given attention to, she is still a living creature.

as what this original thread was about- i know nothing of rats/mice, except for thawing them out and feeding to snakes, lol- so i asked what was good for rats set up. I have about 12 old book shelves, so i decided to make on out of that for her cage- i mentioned it had heating in it because it was going to be for a gecko, but i traded the gecko. (I already took out the heat pad and all that)

So annoying how all post these days seem to start some type of argument :(

[EmbraceCalamity]

haha, have you seen some of my enclosures, and racks i have for my snakes?? plus i know alot of us here build our own enclosures for our snakes, or lizards, or what not... we all put alot of time into them..It's okay. Every person here knows that everyone on this forum puts lots of time, money, effort, and planning into their enclosures. I'd have loved to have seen him make a thread saying that though. Thought about doing it myself. Fun times would be had by (almost) all. ;)

A little off topic, but an interesting study I just found:
A new model of empathy: The rat - The Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/a-new-model-of-empathy-the-rat/2011/12/08/gIQAAx0jfO_story.html)

I think that's the bloody coolest thing ever.

~Maggot

[Sorraia]

DeEuGi - Do you still need anything for your rat? I've been going through my house and looking to sell off some stuff I don't use or need any more that's still in good condition. I have a bunch of rat supplies, including water bottles, food bowls, hammocks, and more that I'm selling. Prices are pretty low since the stuff is used, but much of it is in very very good condition.

[DeesBalls]

yea, depending on the price, sure. It's pretty basic right now, (hide, water, wheel, and food) so i would like so nice things, specially for the new cage. shoot me a price and ill let ya know.. money is a tad tight right now :(