Use of natural branches

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Meghan - 27 Sep 2005 16:34 GMT

I noticed that many of you use those synthetic branches in your rat cages
for climbing. I've looked all around in the limited pet supply places here
and can find nothing bigger than tiny fish tank decorations. The woman at
the feed store recommended just going out and getting natural branches, from
a tree with thin bark so there won't be any bugs hiding under the bark.
This makes me very nervous, in terms of critters, crawly things, and things
that can infect the rats. Am I being paranoid or is this ok?

Meghan

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Tiger Spot - 27 Sep 2005 17:28 GMT

>I noticed that many of you use those synthetic branches in your rat cages
>for climbing. I've looked all around in the limited pet supply places here
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>This makes me very nervous, in terms of critters, crawly things, and things
>that can infect the rats. Am I being paranoid or is this ok?

I have collected branches for my rats. I have washed them, then let
them dry in a sunny indoor area to kill off any bugs.

One thing to be careful about is toxic woods or pesticides that may
have been used on the trees.

Attaching branches to a cage in a nice stable way can be tricky. I
used some small screw-in hooks on each end of straight branches.

--Theresa

http://tiger_spot.mapache.org

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Joanne - 27 Sep 2005 19:11 GMT

> I noticed that many of you use those synthetic branches in your rat cages
> for climbing. I've looked all around in the limited pet supply places here
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Meghan

I have thought of doing that too... but like you, I'm too paranoid of
bugs and pesticides.

Joanne
Owned by 14 rats

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Whinging Courier - 27 Sep 2005 19:40 GMT

In alt.pets.rodents.rats, Meghan amazed us all with this pearl of
wisdom:

> I noticed that many of you use those synthetic branches in your rat cages
> for climbing. I've looked all around in the limited pet supply places here
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> This makes me very nervous, in terms of critters, crawly things, and things
> that can infect the rats. Am I being paranoid or is this ok?

I put thin branches from an apple tree in my rats' cage. As for crawly
things, they seem to like eating woodlice with no ill effects. In fact,
they love 'em!

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Chris N - 28 Sep 2005 00:57 GMT

I believe all fruit tree branches are fine and non toxic, and the insects
quite a delicacy.
I've had apple twigs in their house for 6 months with no ill effects.

> In alt.pets.rodents.rats, Meghan amazed us all with this pearl of
> wisdom:
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> things, they seem to like eating woodlice with no ill effects. In fact,
> they love 'em!

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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / September 2005

Use of natural branches