Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / January 2004

I haven't thought about this ng in a long time, even though my rat
usually crawls up my leg at some point during long internet sessions
(and my gf says she's been finding her on the keyboard every time she
comes upstairs lately). However, I was just over at the web site for

So last night I was cleaning the girls cages out and I stuffed the 3 girls
in the babies cage. That went great! next i put all 3 back in their  cage
and put the baby in there as well. Needless to say Waffles my husky rat
decided that since she is the alpha female that she would tell ...

do most of you all let your rats run free on occaision?
i did for a while but started finding headphone, telephone, stereo, etc
cables with little chomps removed from them.
what's the word - do they need it?

Well until my husband sets up the camera you will just have to imagine!
Badger seems to have a thing about my husband maybe because he is always
warm, but he prefers sitting with him rather than me, Oh Well!
He sleeps in the most unusual positions imaginable, Last night he was as

One of my rats has lost a lot of weight recently. And his coat has
become strange -- At the base of the hairs, there is a sort of sticky,
powdery stuff. And the hairs are more yellow at the base.
It shouldn't be an external parasite, because his brother who lives &

     ok so it's not a rat exactly, but it's got rat in its name.
     Mole rat's magnetic magic revealed
     22:00 19 January 04
     NewScientist.com news service

I have managed to get our two female rats to use a litter tray but only to
poo in,they still wee on the top shelf of their cage which is annoying as it
makes so much mess.what can I do to make them wee downstairs in the litter
tray?any help appreciated

I'm noticing that one of our rats doesn't go to the litter to pee and poo.
He just goes wherever he is.  Thimble is 4 1/2 months old.  Is there a
common age when rats are more apt to choose an area to go and not just
everywhere?  My 2 old rats seemed to go down to the litter at an ...

People who feed junk food to their pets, including pet rats, are literally
killing them:
http://www.naeurope.co.uk/en/story.htx?nr=300001949
But, well, no doubt it's killing the people too.

I have taken a pic of the Rat house in progress... The front and back wall
have been completed.... I will be glad when its finished..:))
Have a great weekend all
Regards Kate

Hello, I have a pair of Ratties.. Howie and Chuckie.. Obviously males..
Father and son to be exact.. We got these fellows as a gift from a friend
shortly after Angel, our wonderful PetCo girl died.. ( I think she was
around 3 monthes and had a serious infection ) . Made me cry and ...

one of our rats is not eating today.
she has a bit of a running nose and one eye seems a little watery.
also wiped flecks of blood from nose.
any ideas what it is and what to do?

Hello everyone and a special hello to all those who are new... I tend to
forget to welcome people..:(
 I took old Gizmo outside today as it was such a lovely morning.  He seemed
to really enjoy it, especially getting amongst some of the longer

Just a quick question...
Can Rats catch our colds?... someone on another Rat Group was told by the
Pet shop that they could.  I had a feeling that they couldn't, so perhaps I
am wrong..  Thanks all and have a great day.

Can anyone recommend or point me in the right direction of any insurers that
do pet insurance for rats?
Thanks