Tips needed any type

[Rick&Morty]

I just got 2 male rats yesterday and I have had rats since I was I guess 11 or 12 not sure but they were all 3 females and bit older than the ones I have now because originally my sisters who dumped them to my mom and I. Couldn't complain they were so sweet. Anyway, I'm not sure what to expect. My bf and I are taking them to the vet tomorrow for a checkup. I got them at Petvalu who only has male rats as for good feeders.
Later on, we plan to get them neutered.
The bigger one who is the shyest (also named rick and smaller is Morty) came up to the door when I went to give them for food. I tried to give him little bits of cheese but he just smelt it and that was it. He seemed interested because he followed my hand.
Yesterday they both had a little scuffle and I've just been so worried about them. I was so happy to hear them drinking water finally and eating. But still pretty nervous and worried and the people around me are no help they just crack sick jokes about them.. I have wanted rats again for so long and just really would love any tips. I have done so much research but still feel clueless.

 

[rattietatties]

If they’re fighting I wouldn’t worry about it unless they seem to be getting injured, a lot of the time I find that they just play fight like dogs and cats do. My boys wrestle all the time but neither gets hurt, if they seem to be scared around you try sitting by their cage and feed them soft foods so they can’t run away while eating it.

 

[SQ]

Welcome to the forum !
and congrats on your boys

Could you post some pictures of you ratties and their setup?
Not only do we looove pictures, but that will give us more information re giving you tips

Any idea how old they are?

There is a lot of good info in the different sections of this forum.
Please see the Reference Thread for good information on cages, enrichment, play areas, what to feed them re healthy food, care of babies, health etc https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/reference-thread-read-only.35894/

If they are babies then they are not fighting but are playing, wrestling, etc ….. baby boys can get pretty rough with one another LOL

 

[Rick&Morty]

Set up

 

[Rick&Morty]

Morty

 

[Rick&Morty]

Rick in the tube

 

[Rick&Morty]

Rick has become really curious.
I'm still letting them be themselves and adjust. I've been super patient. Since this morning I have been laying my hand in the cage to have them get used to my scent. They both have been curious and smelling me. They'll smell and leave and do it again like that lol

 

[Rick&Morty]

I, unfortunately, do not know how old.
I got them from Petvalu and they only supply rats as feeders for well to be live bait basically.
I can't wait until tomorrow for their checkup to see how they are doing and such.

 

[SQ]

Awww … sweet little boys
You will need to get them a large cage with small bar spacing asap.
That hamster cage is too small, even for babies as they need to run, climb and explore in order to grow properly.

I would suggest that you buy a single or double Midwest critter nation cage https://www.petsmart.com/small-pet/...t-small-animal-habitat-14531.html?cgid=600201 (amazon, petsmart, second hand, etc), or the cheaper knockoff sold at petsmart https://www.petsmart.com/small-pet/...evel-small-animal-cage-21573.html?cgid=600201, or a martins powder coated R695 with flip to lid - but the wire floors will need to be covered with solid flooring (martinscages.com)
Rats need a cage that is at least 4 cubic feet in size (bigger is better) with a base at least 30 inches by 18 inches, and height with levels.

Since the boys are so young, in addition to a good quality, low protein rat block (Oxbow, Harlan 2014, Science Select) and a variety of daily vegs, you might want to give them a shallow dish of organic soy infant formula thickened with a bit of baby cereal (mixes are not good for rats - see the Reference Thread for info)

 

[Rick&Morty]

Yeah, eventually when we got the money we are going to expand with more tunnels that go to a bigger cage. But for rn, that's what we got and we gotta get them checked with a vet and later neutered.

 

[Dena]

At the VERY LEAST, you need to get them a larger cage, or even one made for rabbits or a rat starter. They will grow SUPER QUICK being boys, and could get trapped or stuck in one of those tunnels. It could be fatal for them. Those cages are really even too small for hamsters unfortunately. But it'll work for a week or two, or until payday. We have a homemade flip top cage made with utility shelves wire tied together. It's worked for a few years. We are only just now upgrading to a double critter nation. But for tubes, you can use a 1inch diameter pvc pipe, or a plastic dryer vent. They are super cute, and look to be around 4-5 weeks old. I'd lean towards 4 weeks old though. But baby formula is their best friend right now. It's great for development, and you only need to give a little each day. Get the powder though, so it lasts longer. Also, WELCOME TO THE SHACK!

 

[Rocket99]

Idk if anyone has given you this til yet since I haven't read through the replys, so I will keep it short and simple. Get them a bigger cage. A Critter Nation if you can afford it, or a Hendrix Prevue as a second choice. Personally, I would pass on all the pet store cages. And congrats on getting them, you know you'll love them.

 

[SQ]

Yeah, eventually when we got the money we are going to expand with more tunnels that go to a bigger cage. But for rn, that's what we got and we gotta get them checked with a vet and later neutered.

Unfortunately the cage they are in is not even big enough for a hamster.
Expanding with tunnels is a waste of money, that cage does not even look large enough to be used as a carrier …. they need a large cage suitable for rats asap
You can check Kijiji etc for a used critter nation cage - if so wash and disinfect it well so you do not bring in any diseases or parasites
If you really can not afford a single critter nation - Not a ferret nation (petsmart $150 https://www.petsmart.com/small-pet/...t-small-animal-habitat-14531.html?cgid=600124, amazon $150 https://www.amazon.com/MidWest-Crit...j1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ)

or a martins powder coated R695 with flip top lid ($160 http://martinscages.com/rats.html) or a large martins playpen for rats - a great investment! ($103 http://martinscages.com/rats.html)

then make a large bin cage to use as a temporary cage until you can get a suitable rat cage https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/homemade-bin-carrier-and-temporary-bin-cage.35893/

 

[Dena]

I bought a couple of the coated wire utility shelves from home depot. You just cut them to make a rectangular, or square cage, then cut one the same length for the top. We used wire ties to hold it together, and put a dab of hot glue on the cut ends. When the cage is put together, the rats don't really reach the ends to scrape themselves, or eat the glue. It was more so I don't scratch myself when I move the cage to clean it. I used a LARGE storage tote for the bottom, and set the cage in it. You can even make shelves, from parts of the shelving to make the cage, or I even added baskets at different heights, and hung all kinds of toys in it.