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Getting a Pet Rat? RdDragon5
So I've been thinking of getting a pet rat (actually a pair of them). I've been doing some research as to what I need to know to look after them like getting at least 2 and not just 1, what kind of cage they need, and beeding, and food.

What I'd like to know is about how much money does it cost to get everything if you're starting from scratch. So rats (2) + cage + food + accessories.

And finally how much money per month it would cost to look after the pair of them.
>> Anonymous
Well, the biggest purchase will definitely be the cage. Bigger is better. If you're going to go somewhere like Petsmart that has lots of cages, I would suggest something like a big ferret cage, but make sure the bars are close enough together that a rat can't squeeze through. Rats are sneaky, and if a hole is big enough for their skulls, then they can squeeze through. The rats (again assuming they're from a pet store and not a breeder) will probably be about $10 apiece... food shouldn't be too bad, maybe $5-$10 for a bag (I recommend Mazuri rat food). Accessories can be expensive, but you don't have to buy all those right away. Bedding runs about $10-$20, assuming you buy something good like Carefresh (no pine or cedar!).

If you have the money, I would budget about $150 for the whole thing. It really just depends on how big a cage you want/can afford.

Money per month is pretty low. You'll probably just need new food and bedding. Make sure to have the name/number of a rat vet on hand before you even get the rats, and try to have money or a credit card that you could use to pay for vet bills in a pinch.
>> RdDragon5
>>113203
Well there's a Petsmart really close to me, so that was going to be my place to go get the rats and all their stuff. I'm assuming that was all in US dollars? I live up in Canada so I'm guessing it would be a bit more.
>> Anonymous
Yeah, that was all in US dollars. Good luck with your rats! Post pics when you get them!
>> RdDragon5
>>113216
that might take a while, I'm going on vacation in September for 6 days. So I didn't want to leave them alone for that long (or is that an option?). I don't normally go on vacations so its not like I'd be buying a high maintenance pet and then abandoning it often. I'd like to think I know what I'm getting into.
>> Anonymous
>>113218
6 days is too long. i skipped a lot of family vacations when i was a teenager to stay behind and look after my rats.
you need to take them out once a day for at least an hour. rats love to play and explore.

you can also make your own cage with some wire mesh and other materials and it'd be a lot cheaper than buying a ferret cage. but you have to make sure its secure and there isn't anything loose that can scratch your rats.
i'm sure if you want someone might come along and give you some tips on making a cage or asking on a rat forum(hell. you can ask on just about any forum because a lot of people like building their own cages).
as for bedding, you can just used shredded newspaper if you want to save yourself some money. my rats love to roll around in it better than any other bedding i had for them.
for food, i'm not sure whats in Mazuri rat food but nuts and seeds should make up a little part of your rat's diet. some sort of lab blocks is your best option. you can even feed them scraps from your own food because rats will eat just about anything.

monthly cost is very cheap, for me at least. i only have to buy new food for them, though i usually have a large stock of food for them and sometimes i buy them new toys(because they destroy theirs).

you plan on getting two males or females?
males get larger(or they just grow larger faster. i have four rats and both my males have outgrown my females so quickly) and they smell a lot more which i say is the only downside. they are also lazier than females.
>> Anonymous
Mazuri is high quality block food, no seeds or nuts. It has been recommended to me on many rodent forums, and seems to be the healthiest stuff available.
>> RdDragon5
Ok well I'm glad I was right to wait until after my vacation to get my little squeakers. Until then it's just research and recon.

>>113249
As much as I love to build stuff. For my first pair of rats I'd want to make sure they had a good cage, and not a half assed one.

Also its not that I'm trying to save money, just wanted a ball park so I know what to expect when I get up to the register.

I heard newspaper absorbs smells really well, and I'd rather not have to change the bedding daily. And also on the same note I read that seeds aren't very good for rats since they'll just pick out the fatty good tasting ones and ignore the healthier ones.
>> Anonymous
>>113424
also make sure if you have a wire cage(with wire floors/shelves) to cover them up so it won't hurt their feet. if not they can develop something called bumblefeet.

if you use newspaper here's a tip. i usually have some none-shredded newspaper under my shredded newspaper so i can just dump it in the garbage without having to scrape paper that is stuck to the bin.
you still should scrub it afterwards.
>> Anonymous
>>113151

You forgot cooking lessons. :/
>> RdDragon5
>>113430
That would only be if I just bought one male rat, and named him Remmy.