Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / March 2005

When it's rattie out time, the cats are kept away. Way back when, I would
just have a big fence kind of thing around the ratties and their play area.
My fat lazy cats would go near and the rats would try and bring their fur
into the play area, the cats were not impressed. lol I now have a gate that
separates the bedrooms from the living area of the home where the ratties
are. But putting the cats in a bedroom is fine too. Or having the rats play
time in the bedroom like you mentioned seemed just as fun for them. I'm sure
they have a ball in their play land in the master bedroom. Change it around
if you feel it's become too boring for them. Rats don't need a full house
for play time. Some people only lets their rats play on a table or on the
couch, any out time that allows the rat to move freely, climb, explore is
perfect for them.

9 female and 2 male ratties, and 11 cats... hhmmmm... just realized I have
equal numbers there!

Anyway... the ratties have out times seperately males and females.  The
females scamper and play on their cage, a coffee table, large sofa, and a
tall box used as an extension arm against the sofa.  I put cereal, cracker,
oatmeal and a wood slat boxes around for them to play in and around.  The
males have time out on my king sized bed.

4 of my cats lay about and let the rats play over and around them.  The rats
will groom the cats and cuddle up to them.  When the other cats come around
I watch them carefully, but if they try to get forward with the rats, the
rats will nip their toes... that's the time I chase the cats away.  Now the
male ratties have an added species to play with, 2 large dogs that watch
them closely.  If an unfriendly cat get too close, the dogs will chase them
off.  Off course the ratties being out is reason for close supervision, but
I love watching the females cuddling up with the cats.  Just wish I had a
video camera to catch the action.

With that said, I do have a few cats that would try to send the rats to a
better place, if given the opportunity.  If you do try to introduce the cats
and rats, be super vigilant.

Julia and her Zoo Crew

I don't have any cats but we have a puppy who I keep seperate from the rats
when they are out, just in case.  I either let the rats out in the bathroom
and hallway or kitchen and make sure I do it when my fiance's home so he can
stay with the dog in another room.

It sounds like the set-up you have in your bathroom for the rats' out time
is just fine, I'm sure they will never really bore of it, as Joanne says
rats just like to be out wherever so they can explore and run around.  You
could always go along to the dollar stores (I think you have them over there
like our poundlands!) or charity shops and look for some bargain toys to add
to their playground!

Tracey

my cats all stay out (which is good because i have no way to lock them
away. stupid house with no doors.) but they've all been terrorized
enough by the rats to have respect. i still am careful to supervise
though.

my dogs both have to be crated absolutely, however.

--
my best friend is a pit bull.
http://shattering.org
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I finally discovered that for my guys, it's quality not quantity.  I was
thinking I needed to give them tons of space (like the whole house) but now
I realize what they really want is just stuff to explore.  Last night during
out time I opened up the under-the-sink cabinets and they went CRAZY with
excitement.  All kinds of drawers to climb in and out of, with mom removing
all the cleansers, toilet bowl cleaner etc.  It was at least an hours worth
of exploring.  I've got the secret now...  But the cats still sit outside
the door hoping to catch a glimpse.

Meghan

Hi Meghan,

We have a pocket door that separates the back family room from the rest of
the house.  Usually, the cats hang out back there all the time anyway, but
when I have to rats out, I definitely make sure my one cat, Mickey, is back
there with the door shut.   My other cat Harley, on the other hand, would
not hurt my girls.  He just likes to watch them, but he would never make a
move to get one.  Mickey on the other hand, has more of a hunter instinct
and would take one of the rats in a second.  SO first of all, you have to
know your cats very well to be able to judge if your rats are safe or not.

Even still, when the girls are out with me, they stay on the couch and I
don't let them run around the floor.  Who knows what they could get into
around the whole house.  There are all sorts of places to hide/get into (the
subwoofer!) and things to chew... I just wouldn't trust them without me
watching them like a hawk.  It's annoying enough that I have to sneak around
and clean up their dribbles on the couch before hubby sees... LOL.  I think
you are doing a great job just using the set up you have now.  I bet they
are happy to have a runaround.  To have a change of scenery you could switch
them into another room if you wish.  But I find when I place my girls
somewhere unfamiliar, they get frightened and won't play and stretch their
legs like they normally do (they are familiar with my washroom where I take
them whenever I have a shower, the "TV" couch, and the computer room which
is "their" room).

Kelly