RayneBowRats
Member
Hi!
I have some questions about 2 rats my neighbor gave me. I currently have four of my own, and when I saw the state these poor girls were in, I HAD to take them home. *Back story*
They were in a small cage, made of plastic with only about a 6"x10" wire opening at the top, no toys, just them, two coconut shells, a metal bowl for food, and a water bottle. THANKFULLY she was using some type of pellet for bedding, but sadly, was feeding them very low quality hamster food. I threw it away as soon as we got home.
The room she had the cage in was reeking of incense. It almost made your eyes water. They looked so sad, I was able to pet them, and they just covered my fingers with little licks. I told her I would love to have them! So, I walked across the street with my 2 new girls,with one who is VERY obese, the other, more small.
I get them home, and move them into the rabbit cage my sister gave me, got them some fresh food and water. They seemed pretty happy about that. I added some toys, toilet paper tubes, some cloth, and a cardboard box for their bed.
Now here are my questions
They have had sneezing issues since I brought them home,(June 14th) and they were sneezing at their old home, I though it was due to the massive amount of incense being burned 6" from their cage. Since they have been here, I have been keeping an eye out for the red stuff(I can't think of the name, let alone trying to spell it lol) The skinnier one does have some redness around her nose, but I have no idea of how much is too much. Is a small amount okay? Like a tiny little pinprick amount? Or is that too much?
I don't know if I should bring them in yet, they are both eating like crazy and are starting to want to come out and play.
The only reason I can think of for excessive sneezing and small amount of the red stuff is because they are trying to clear out all the incense smoke and stuff. I haven't heard any rattling sounds and such. They are slightly active, but are becoming more and more active since they have arrived here, a good sign.
I am concerned about my four little ones. I wash my hands before and after handling any of them, just in case what the big girls have is contagious. If it is contagious, how long would it take for the little ones to start sneezing?
I do have them on the knock off version of carefresh, some random brand from Walmart, I did freeze it before I used it, and as soon as my CN arrives, I will be moving my 4 little girls to that cage, and these two will go to the big old chinchilla cage. I use fleece with my baby girls right now, and when the big girls move to their new cage, they will have fleece too.
Sorry for the long and rather scatterbrained post, I have my 2 kids constantly interrupting me, so I lose my thoughts about every 3 mins or so LOL
Thanks in advance for any help or advice!
If you need more info, or need parts clarified, I will do my best and try to explain it better, the little one will be taking his nap soon, so my brain will be working a little better
I have some questions about 2 rats my neighbor gave me. I currently have four of my own, and when I saw the state these poor girls were in, I HAD to take them home. *Back story*
They were in a small cage, made of plastic with only about a 6"x10" wire opening at the top, no toys, just them, two coconut shells, a metal bowl for food, and a water bottle. THANKFULLY she was using some type of pellet for bedding, but sadly, was feeding them very low quality hamster food. I threw it away as soon as we got home.
The room she had the cage in was reeking of incense. It almost made your eyes water. They looked so sad, I was able to pet them, and they just covered my fingers with little licks. I told her I would love to have them! So, I walked across the street with my 2 new girls,with one who is VERY obese, the other, more small.
I get them home, and move them into the rabbit cage my sister gave me, got them some fresh food and water. They seemed pretty happy about that. I added some toys, toilet paper tubes, some cloth, and a cardboard box for their bed.
Now here are my questions
They have had sneezing issues since I brought them home,(June 14th) and they were sneezing at their old home, I though it was due to the massive amount of incense being burned 6" from their cage. Since they have been here, I have been keeping an eye out for the red stuff(I can't think of the name, let alone trying to spell it lol) The skinnier one does have some redness around her nose, but I have no idea of how much is too much. Is a small amount okay? Like a tiny little pinprick amount? Or is that too much?
I don't know if I should bring them in yet, they are both eating like crazy and are starting to want to come out and play.
The only reason I can think of for excessive sneezing and small amount of the red stuff is because they are trying to clear out all the incense smoke and stuff. I haven't heard any rattling sounds and such. They are slightly active, but are becoming more and more active since they have arrived here, a good sign.
I am concerned about my four little ones. I wash my hands before and after handling any of them, just in case what the big girls have is contagious. If it is contagious, how long would it take for the little ones to start sneezing?
I do have them on the knock off version of carefresh, some random brand from Walmart, I did freeze it before I used it, and as soon as my CN arrives, I will be moving my 4 little girls to that cage, and these two will go to the big old chinchilla cage. I use fleece with my baby girls right now, and when the big girls move to their new cage, they will have fleece too.
Sorry for the long and rather scatterbrained post, I have my 2 kids constantly interrupting me, so I lose my thoughts about every 3 mins or so LOL
Thanks in advance for any help or advice!
If you need more info, or need parts clarified, I will do my best and try to explain it better, the little one will be taking his nap soon, so my brain will be working a little better