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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / June 2006New To Group: Hairless Rat Questions
Hi Everyone I am new to this Google group. I own 20 fancy mice, 3 gerbils, 2 guinea pigs, 2 hamsters and 2 hairless rats. I have a question about the latter pets. The hairless rats are new to the household. I have been doing loads of research to ensure I give them the best care. However, I worry about their dietary intake. I provide them a good block, and some seed mix as well as some fresh veggies and frozen pea fishing on the side... My question is about protein. Being hairless rats, I know they need more protein than rats with fur. Any ideas how to give them a good source? So far I have been using dry dog food, but there has to be something better. I was thinking of offering them a boiled egg. Is that a good idea? What should they be eating? Thanks for all those who take a look. Amy > Hi Everyone > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Amy Hi Amy, welcome to the group!! You are right that extra protein would be beneficial to your hairless and you are also right in thinking that dog food is not a good choice of rat food. The egg is a great idea as is chicken, tuna... a small bit of it should be good. What's the protein level on the rat block? Some blocks have a level of 20% and that would be just fine for the hairless with no need to give extra, although, they will love you to bits for that egg. lol  SignatureJoanne Owned by 20 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* Hi Joanne Thanks for your advice about the egg. I served them up a little bit of hard boiled egg with the shell removed, in slices. The rats nibbled at the egg and then ran around but that's probably because they wanted some cuddle time. I am sure the egg will be gone when I go down later. The hamsters were going insane sniffing the air through their homes so I gave them each a tiny piece of egg white and both were devouring them as soon as it was in their hands. The block I bought is Mazuri. Is that a good kind? What other kinds of treats can I give them to make them happy? Thanks so much :) > > Hi Everyone > > [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > ------------------------------------------------------- > ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* > Hi Joanne > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Thanks so much :) Welcome to the group, Amy! I'm not sure about the blocks as they are not readily available to buy over here in UK. Regards other treats try and keep them healthy treats as ratties will love a piece of broccoli as much as a sugary treat. Other things they love are avocado pear (but only feed now and again as it is fattening), grapes, blueberries, sweetcorn, peas, oatmeal, cheerios, cooked pasta and rice, a little wholegrain bread or cracker.... They are loads of other veggies they like although none of my rats liked carrots for some reason. For the hot summer days you can freeze things like grapes and berries and give them to your ratties to help cool them down, and oatmeal is something ratties love so much it is an ideal choice for disguising meds in when rattie is unwell. Oh and the boiled egg, one day you may like to try putting the boiled egg in your rats' cage with it's shell still intact and watch them frantically try and get inside to the goodness!!! Keeps them amused for a while! Tracey Hi Tracey Thanks for the treat list. I am always afraid to feed my pets anything until I have confirmation that it's safe and also know they like it, so your tips were a great help to me. I am new to rats. I have a second question you may be able to help me with: I heard rats really like playing in water and they enjoy swimming in a shallow bath. My rats are hairless, though. Does that change things? If I were to put them in a bathtub, how much water (an inch or so?) so I put and what temeprature for the hairless rats? Tepid? Cool? Thanks :) > Welcome to the group, Amy! > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Tracey I think you will find that its more a case of most Rats Don't like baths and water. My lot get a bath out of necessity when they become a tad odorous. I make the water about 2 - 3 inches deep and I always test the temp on the inside of my wrist just like you do for babies. I make sure its not quite as hot as a babies bath however as my lot don't have the amount of fat to insulate them from high temps. As for their reaction?... imagine 9 speedboats zooming around with the odd flying rat thrown in and that pretty much sums it up. Thankfully they don't hold a grudge and are more than happy to be snuggled in warm towels till they fall asleep when its over. Regards Kate SignatureToday I may meet with injustice, ignorance, denial, all of which are due entirely to the other's lack of knowledge of good and evil and the difference thereof. http://community.webshots.com/user/ollieogg I tried that one and the lazy buggers wouldn't touch it. I left it there for 2 days and then just chucked it out. In their house its peeled or you can forget it. LOL Regards Kate SignatureToday I may meet with injustice, ignorance, denial, all of which are due entirely to the other's lack of knowledge of good and evil and the difference thereof. http://community.webshots.com/user/ollieogg > I tried that one and the lazy buggers wouldn't touch it. I left it > there for 2 days and then just chucked it out. In their house its > peeled or you can forget it. LOL > > Regards Kate Er, could you quote the post that you replied to? It hasn't shown up on my newsserver yet. Signaturehttp://pcguyelevated.ytmnd.com/ > Hi Joanne > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Thanks so much :) Mazuri is a good kind and a high enough protein so you don't have to worry about extra protein. Tracey had some great tips for treats. My rule of thumb, no salt, no sugar, low protein and low fat and you'll have healthy rats. ;) SignatureJoanne Owned by 20 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* |
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