FalsettoBear
New Member
Hey, I'm FalsettoBear.
I am joining to learn more about my rat baby and talk to other rat parents.
I got my first rats, Storm and Rogue, roughly a month ago. They were rehomed from a loving and experienced home who could no longer care for them. They were a little over a year old.
My partner is a more experience rat owner, having owned four rats in the past, and I did a lot of preliminary reading before picking them up. So we thought we were well prepared.
Unfortunately this afternoon as I was letting them out for a run (we try to give them 1-3 hours a day quality time) I found Storm had died. We were very shocked, as aside from some sneezing initially (which we assumed to be bedding irritation, and getting acclimatised to our flat) everything had gone smoothly (they were both chasing our cat around just hours before! They go to nip his legs and he cries and runs away! Some predator he is!).
We've booked a vets appointment for the morning to get Rogue checked up, especially to check if it's something infectious.
We know we're going to have to get her company. She already seems somewhat lonely, being more subdued than usual, which we are also worried about incase it's a sign of sickness.
I wonder if any one has any advice on when and how to get her a companion/some companions?
I am joining to learn more about my rat baby and talk to other rat parents.
I got my first rats, Storm and Rogue, roughly a month ago. They were rehomed from a loving and experienced home who could no longer care for them. They were a little over a year old.
My partner is a more experience rat owner, having owned four rats in the past, and I did a lot of preliminary reading before picking them up. So we thought we were well prepared.
Unfortunately this afternoon as I was letting them out for a run (we try to give them 1-3 hours a day quality time) I found Storm had died. We were very shocked, as aside from some sneezing initially (which we assumed to be bedding irritation, and getting acclimatised to our flat) everything had gone smoothly (they were both chasing our cat around just hours before! They go to nip his legs and he cries and runs away! Some predator he is!).
We've booked a vets appointment for the morning to get Rogue checked up, especially to check if it's something infectious.
We know we're going to have to get her company. She already seems somewhat lonely, being more subdued than usual, which we are also worried about incase it's a sign of sickness.
I wonder if any one has any advice on when and how to get her a companion/some companions?
), the sooner the better. Do you know of any local rat rescues or pet shelters? Are you in London, ON or London, England? Check the SPCA or RSPCA for rats needing a home. Also on line ads for pets are a certainty to find a rat. Just be sure that your new ratty really is a girl. That may sound like a silly piece of advice, but some pet store staff don't know how to tell. I once adopted a rat, supposedly a female, and when "she" climbed into the cage I couldn't help but notice two enormous goolies! Pet stores are a last resort: the rats are often unhealthy, unsocialized and/or pregnant.
