Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / June 2008

Hi everyone. Wow it has been quiet lately.

So I have a few questions.

What is the name of the rat prozac we can give to our rats if they are
hyper and cranky? Where do I find it and what is the dose and how do you
give it to them?  If I give it to cranky Bernard and it helps him, will
I always have to give it to him?  If I'm able to introduce him to the
others and move them in together, should I avoid giving it to all of
them? Bernard is fixed, other boys are not at this point.

What kind of "kitty litter" is good to use or not use when attempting to
litter train?  My old girl Darla doesn't really like to go downstairs
anymore for potty.  I've put a shallow plastic plant tray on her floor
with the same paper bedding I use in the bottom, but she might find it
more appealing if there was a litter in there.

Have you guys noticed if personalities of rats correspond with their
coloring?  In our extremely vast experience with 11 rats so far... this
is what we have noted.  Hooded rats seem to have attitudes, black boy
rats are lazy and like to sleep, light colored solid rats like blue rats
and our latest boy, champagne-colored Nigel, are very friendly.  We have
a semi-hairless, who when she has hair, it's dark gray.  She is also
very friendly and nice.

What sorts of words and phrases have you developed for various
rat-related things? Here's our glossary:

Tube rub: hold rat under armpits, wrap hand around body and strong from
top to bottom

Squishels: hold rat in both hands under armpits, rub rat's back

Rat rubs: hold rat in both hands, horizontal to the floor with hands
running along boyd long-ways.  Rub hands back and forth in opposition.

Making happy: bruxing when rat is content

Rat 180: Rat has food, hand or rat tries to take food. Rat abruptly
turns 180 degrees to the other side.

Slow scan: When ruby-eyed rat who cannot see well swings head back and
forth to get a better view.

Nice mouse: any sweet rat

Proper response when I say "there are holes in the sheets."  Response:
"CHUCKLES!"