File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
So I'm moving into a new place that allows pets, so long as they're confined to a cage most of the time. So I'm going to get myself a pet rat.

I plan to get it some decent digs, a good cage with the ramps and shit to play around on, something nice to sleep on, etc.

Anyway, I don't know much about rat health. I burn a bit of incense in my room usually (mostly when smoking) and I was wondering if the smoke might harm the rat. I'd probably keep my incense burner on the other side of the room, but it being in the room seems like it'd also help with the smell of a rat cage.

So, is a little smoke gonna kill my rat?
>> Anonymous
Nah. Using Wood shavings as bedding will actually do a lot more harm. Just keep the room ventilated.
>> Anonymous
1. Get two rats, rats are social creatures and need a buddy around to keep them company when you're not able to play with them.

2. Look into rat health long before you consider a rat. Respiratory illness is their number one ailment, so frankly I wouldn't risk the smoke thing. If you do try it, check for consistent and excessive red around the rats' nose and mouth, and check to see if you hear any clicking noises while breathing-- this is a sign of breathing problems. If you see any of these signs after using the product, I wouldn't use it anymore.
>> Anonymous
If you're only going to have one rat, I'd recommend a male because they're often more personable. If you're going to have two, get two females because they smell less and won't fight.
>> Anonymous
http://www.rmca.org/Resources/rmcafaq.htm

Incense might irritate their respiratory tract making them more susceptible to infection. As long as you don't do it all the time and with the room all closed up I don't think it should be TOO awful.

Also, this might start a war, but I grew up with the knowledge the cedar shavings = DEATH and pine shavings = DEATH! However, I've read some very interesting articles that say kiln-dried PINE (cedar is still awful) is okay to use for small animals as the harmful chemicals in it (phenols) are burnt off in the kiln.

So I gave it a whirl with my mice, because I prefer the look of pine, and while it doesn't smell very pine-y when it's kiln dried, it smells different than aspen.

So far so good, it's been a month and all my mice are doing well.

Anyhow, check the link I gave you, and the general site as well, www.rmca.org, also www.afrma.org!
>> Anonymous
Here's another question that I suppose could only be answered if anyone has run into the situation before, since the websites don't seem to cover it.

The person I'm moving in with has a guinea pig. Would the rat, being so social, get along with the guinea pig if introduced occasionally? I don't plan on having them in the same cage or anything.
>> Anonymous
Letting different species interact is very risky. As you said, definitely don't let them live together.

As far as socializing goes... I don't have much experience with Guinea pigs, but they seem to be very docile (and dumb) creatures, and I can't see them posing a threat to the rats. Heck, Guineas can even be kept with bunnies.

However, I'd be more worried about the rat hurting the Guinea pigs. I think it'd be unlikely. But if something DOES happen, one quick bite from either could seriously hurt the other. It's your risk to take, and with what knowledge I have I don't think it's a particularly terrible risk.

I'd introduce them on neutral ground like a bed/bathtub. Maybe let them see each other first without having contact to see how they react.

This is just speculation mind you, and I'm not expert on either, I'm a mouse person. :]
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Rats and birds are the best of friends.
>> Anonymous
>>257091
guinea pigs arent dumb, mine is really smart. He moves his hut to the center of his cage so he has a clear path to run in, he walks onto my hand when i put it in the cage, and he's memerized everyones voices/smells(he acts differently with different people) like he acts nice towards my brother, dad, mother and I, but doesnt really care for my sister
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
As previously suggested, two rats are much, much better; rats get easily stressed if they live alone.

Also as previously suggested, don't use ANY sort of wood shavings. The best things you can get is CareFresh bedding or a similar alternative; it's light, absorbent, and doesn't agitate the sinuses of the rats.

The most common illnesses in rats are respiratory-related, so smoke and incense are not very advisable. If you do either, make sue to keep it away from the cage and with good ventilation so that the smoke doesn't fill the room; by a window would be best.

For cage accessories, rats LOVE old boxes - cereal, tissue, shoe... they'll shred and play and generally enjoy themselves. Rats also have a tendency to sleep higher up, and so they love hammocks - I also find that the fuzzy hide-away tubes meant for birdcages make excellent sleeping spaces for rats. They are very, very intelligent, so it's good to introduce new things to the cage often, and to put things in different places when you clean it out (change the layout of the shelfs, etc.) Oh, speaking of the cage, rats need BIG cages. Not that puny shit you'd keep a hamster in - rats need ALOT of room to move around. 2.5 cubic feet per rat is a good amount of room (I spoil mine, they live in a 5-story ferret cage, because of it's height it doesn't take up a lot of floor space but they have plenty of room to move around). But yeah, remember, no such thing as too big of a cage, but they can definitely be too small.
>> Anonymous
>>257274

(continued, said my field was too long :/)

I'd really recommend looking up what you can and can't feed rats, also; check more than one source, as some don't hit on certain foods (big things to avoid are chocolate, sugary-food, soda, alcohol, but also things like onions, uncooked potatoes/sweet potatoes, and the part of the avocado near the skin/pit).

As for letting the rats interact with other pets... that really depends on the temperament of each animal. If they both seem friendly enough, interaction may be safe with CLOSE supervision; don't leave them unattended, one might hurt the other.

Um.... I think I've hit on most of the basic bits.. sorry if it was lengthy... rats are my absolutely favorite, favorite pet :) Charming, lovable, intelligent, inquisitive, and not too demanding.
>> Anonymous
>>257274

A word of warning on CareFresh bedding-- it's best to freeze it for 24-48 hours prior to use to prevent mites/etc. I've had three cases of my rats itching themselves raw as a result of using the bedding directly out of the bag w/o freezing prior (and I keep their cages cleaner than I do the rest of my apartment).
>> Anonymous
>>257274
The heck!~

People keep posting that picture of my mice and I don't recall ever posting it on /an/.

HOW'S YOU FIND IT?