Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / October 2004

Too bad Nezumi doesn't have a buddy to travel with. Rats do way better in
pairs or more. What about putting a small stuffed bear in her cage now, get
it good and smelly from her and then put that in your carrier? Make sure the
stuffed bear is not too much bigger than her. Also, can you put in a small
box so she can hide in? I'm not sure what else can make her feel
comfortable.

I see your predicament - I used to have a rat that did his best to gnaw his
way out of the pet carrier when we went to the vets.  Luckily the vet is
local so he never got enough time to do a Houdini on me, I swear he would
have chewed his way out given more time though!

I find putting a small box inside carry cases helps rats feel more secure -
they usually go and hide in the box.  Pop a few tissues in there and make it
nice and cosy.  Also try putting some of the litter in the carrier from the
bottom of the cage, so there are lots of familiar smells whilst she's
travelling.

Hope this helps.

Tracey

Being a military family means that many of our ratties have had to spend way
more than 2 hours travelling -- some have spent as much as 2 weeks in a
hotel and 3 or 4 days in the car (and 36 - 42 hours on a ferry, with the
carrier smuggled up to our cabin or hotel room in a large duffle bag).  One
thing I've found is that they do very well in a small cat cage, the totally
opaque plastic case with a wire door.  The cage is well ventilated with
slits all along the top.  It's dark so it feels cozy.  Ratties have slept
the days away in the car and then been allowed to run their little hearts
out in the bathroom of whatever hotel we happened to be in.

Gabby
Mom to Charcoal & Cissy as well as to Debbie & Martha the bucks secure in
their identity.  ;o)

First things first - get a carry-thing that she can't escape from!

Also, consider getting one that doesn't have a transparent top - rats don't
seem to be too keen on things hovering around above them.  Also, place a
small box in there that she can hide in, as well as bedding and the odd
scrap of food (chicken bone might be nice - it'll last for a-g-e-s).

Consider placing the carry case in her cage so she becomes familiar with it
and regards it as her own territory.  Also use bedding from her cage in the
case - it'll make it smell just like home.

Hope that lot helps, even if I am just repeating what others have said :-/  
Let us know how it goes.

Mark.