Pre-rat Questions

[Heroic Monkey]

I have some questions that I wanted to ask before, and if, I decide to get two rats (with my parents' approval, of course).

1) Where do you buy hooks/wires, etc. for securing items to the cage bars?

2) Is it best for one person to be the primary caregiver, so the rats won't be confused? Would it be overwhelming for the rats if they were introduced to several people at once?

3) How long does it take, on average, to unhook all the toys/items, wash the cage, and hook them back up? Assume the cage was for two rats.

4) What is used to clean the cage/toys? What if the cage doesn't fit in the bathtub? I don't think my mom would like it if I brought the garden hose into the house. :wink2:

5) Is chinchilla sand ok for rats? If so, do they generally like it?

6) Should I start with 2 cages, in case one of the rats gets ill and needs to be quarantined?

 

[brittanyfork]

1) Where do you buy hooks/wires, etc. for securing items to the cage bars?

Dollarama or your home depot

2) Is it best for one person to be the primary caregiver, so the rats won't be confused? Would it be overwhelming for the rats if they were introduced to several people at once?

I'm not too sure. A few people is fine. But like a whole bunch of people, I don't know.

3) How long does it take, on average, to unhook all the toys/items, wash the cage, and hook them back up? Assume the cage was for two rats.

That really depends on what you have in the cage, and how big your cage is.
Mine takes at least a half an hour. With cleaning off the shelves and washing down the huts, and putting it all back.

4) What is used to clean the cage/toys? What if the cage doesn't fit in the bathtub? I don't think my mom would like it if I brought the garden hose into the house.

Just get a wet cloth and wash it down like that. That's what I do. My cage is too big to fit in a tub as well.
Mr. Clean magic erasers are awesome

5) Is chinchilla sand ok for rats? If so, do they generally like it?

No, not at all. Sand aggrivates their respiratory system
Use flece blankets, shredded paper or carefreash.

6) Should I start with 2 cages, in case one of the rats gets ill and needs to be quarantined?

It's always a good idea to have an extra cage for that reason. So yes!

 

[Tarah]

4) What is used to clean the cage/toys? What if the cage doesn't fit in the bathtub? I don't think my mom would like it if I brought the garden hose into the house.

Just get a wet cloth and wash it down like that. That's what I do. My cage is too big to fit in a tub as well.
Mr. Clean magic erasers are awesome

I have this sponge with a handle thing i got from the cleaning aisle in the grocery store. I works awesome, and you don't get your hands all wet and gross. :giggle:

 

[jorats]

1. hooks can be bought anywhere, I get mine at Walmart.
2. I don't think it matters to the rats how many people they have as their caregiver. But it is good to have one person in charge of the cleaning and feeding that way you'll know it gets done.
3. It would take me 30 minutes to an hour to clean a cage.
4. I bring a large bucket filled with hot water, dish detergent and vinegar to the cage, I wash it down like I would wash down my fridge. All the bars, the sides the top and bottom all get scrubbed once a week.
5. Rats do not need any sand. Would they like it, I'm not sure, they might but I'd be worried if they got any sand in their eyes, mouth or nose.
6. You need a large cage for your main colony cage. Having a smaller cage for hospital or quarantine is a good idea.

 

[Cigar]

1) Where do you buy hooks/wires, etc. for securing items to the cage bars?

I get my hammock hooks in 12 packs at the dollar store and I also buy my zip ties there. Zip ties are really handy to have.

2) Is it best for one person to be the primary caregiver, so the rats won't be confused? Would it be overwhelming for the rats if they were introduced to several people at once?

I don't see an issue with multiple caregivers, it's extra socialisation and attention! The rats will likely choose their favorite people. Just make sure no one gets confused with feeding or cleaning schedules.

3) How long does it take, on average, to unhook all the toys/items, wash the cage, and hook them back up? Assume the cage was for two rats.

It depends on the size and type of cage you have, not to mention how many hammocks you hang, huts you have, and other add-ons. My cages take anywhere from a half hour to an hour each.

4) What is used to clean the cage/toys? What if the cage doesn't fit in the bathtub? I don't think my mom would like it if I brought the garden hose into the house.

Hot, soapy water is great and fast for plastic accessories. I have a spray bottle with peroxide, white vinegar, and water that I use to spray down the cage inside and give it a wipe. I also bleach everything as needed.

5) Is chinchilla sand ok for rats? If so, do they generally like it?

Do you mean as bedding or litter? Sand will disturb their respiratory system and isn't suitable for either. I use unscented Yesterday's News cat litter in the litterpans and towels for their bedding.

6) Should I start with 2 cages, in case one of the rats gets ill and needs to be quarantined?

Having extra cages (and different kinds like a single level for injured rats) is always handy in case of an emergency.

 

[Tarah]

5) Is chinchilla sand ok for rats? If so, do they generally like it?

Do you mean as bedding or litter? Sand will disturb their respiratory system and isn't suitable for either. I use unscented Yesterday's News cat litter in the litterpans and towels for their bedding.

a lot of people are against using towels as bedding, because they can hitch their nails in the tiny loops and that can cause an injury. Fleece is probably your best choice. Or if you don't want a bedding you have to wash all the time, you can use carefresh. Just make sure you freeze it for a day or so before putting it in the cage, sometimes lice/mites can sneak in there.

 

[Cigar]

5) Is chinchilla sand ok for rats? If so, do they generally like it?

Do you mean as bedding or litter? Sand will disturb their respiratory system and isn't suitable for either. I use unscented Yesterday's News cat litter in the litterpans and towels for their bedding.

a lot of people are against using towels as bedding, because they can hitch their nails in the tiny loops and that can cause an injury. Fleece is probably your best choice. Or if you don't want a bedding you have to wash all the time, you can use carefresh. Just make sure you freeze it for a day or so before putting it in the cage, sometimes lice/mites can sneak in there.

This is true. To use towels as safely as possible you have to follow a few rules: tattered towels have to be thrown out and ones with holes have to be cut open so that no heads get stuck. I also use old cotton t-shirts and find that they don't fray as bad as the towels. I put an ad on Kijiji asking for old towels and recieved a whole garbage bag full a few weeks ago. :mrgreen:

I don't use fleece because I think that it stinks something fierce and cheap fleece bunches after a wash. Urine also beads on it and doesn't absorb quickly and I don't like my rats to be walking around in puddles. :sick2:

 

[SQ]

1) Where do you buy hooks/wires, etc. for securing items to the cage bars?
- People are using shower hooks and they can be bought at the previously mentioned stores or any stores that sell bathroom supplies, even the grocery store.

2) Is it best for one person to be the primary caregiver, so the rats won't be confused? Would it be overwhelming for the rats if they were introduced to several people at once?
- as Jorats said, it is best that one person is in charge so they can be responsible for ensuring everything is done, rats are healthy, etc. But several people can look after the rats.

3) How long does it take, on average, to unhook all the toys/items, wash the cage, and hook them back up? Assume the cage was for two rats.
Probably 30 min.s a day., with a good scrub down for 1 hour once a week.

4) What is used to clean the cage/toys? What if the cage doesn't fit in the bathtub? I don't think my mom would like it if I brought the garden hose into the house.
Many people use diluted white vinegar or dish soap to clean, then rinse very very well and dry.
You can use a bucket of water or spray bottles. Once in awhile you will take your cage apart and srub it down. Many people do this in a bathtub if possible.

5) Is chinchilla sand ok for rats? If so, do they generally like it?
No. Sand if very fine and can get into their mouths, noses, lungs, etc. and cause serious health problems.

6) Should I start with 2 cages, in case one of the rats gets ill and needs to be quarantined?
You will need a large cage. Two rats need a cage that is at least 4 cubic feet in space (larger is better). The foot print of the cage needs to be at least 30 inches by 18 oinches and it needs height for levels. Makr sure the cage is powder coated (paint is baked onto the wires) or you will be wasting your money.

You will want a smaller cage or carrier for trips to the vet.
Rats that live together are rarely separated because of illness, etc.