Goosemoose Pet Portal

I havn't been on this forum for a while. I have been extreamly busy but anyway I have a question.  I have a rat named Iban and he lives in our living room just like the dogs do. He sleeps under the couch and he has a pet carrier for when we have to put him up. We have a water bottle, food and a "cave" for him in there. he can go in when he wants and we only shut the door when we have squeemish guests or  something. He plays with our dogs and sometimes the cat. I am pretty sure he's a vary happy rat. He goes outside on the screened porch sometimes and takes dog food. he even takes it when the dogs are eating!lol very funny guy. Anyway we are for the most part happy with this arrangement he seems to not be getting into trouble. I sprayed some areas I don't want him to go with some repellant but I am not sure it's working. Does anyone know of some repellant or other I could use to keep Iban out of certain areas. I am not thinking like real big areas only behind the entertainment stand or other places he could get hurt. Another thing I don't know how to handle is that he sometimes wants to play when we don't and he'll bite our feet or pop out of the couch and bite our back. It does not hurt but sometimes it startles me and my husband HATES it. He also shares our food a little too much we can't sit on the couch with food or drink unless we want to share with Iban. I usually put him away but is there a way to teach him not to get in our food and drink? I don't get angry with him he's my baby but I would like to know if any one has any ideas for this because we like to leave him out. I even think he scared away some mice!

We had free range rats for a while and if there's one thing we learned, there was no way to TEACH them not to get into certain areas. We had problems with them chewing their way into our boxspring, going behind the dresser/tv stand, and getting into the closet and chewing clothes and things. The only way to keep them out of an area is to make it physically impossible for them to get in there. As far as begging for food, we never figured that one out either, but logically, if you never feed from your plate, he may learn that the only food he'll get is in his own dish. However, I'm not sure that theory works with rats.. they're just so persistent.

Glad to hear he's free range though, I'm sure he's living a great life. Be careful with the dogs though. We had a horrible thing happen with my dog and one of our rats once, when he tried to steal broccoli from her and we weren't right there to stop him... Dogs will be dogs and sometimes don't realize that they can do a lot of damage to such a small animal.

Thanks. I do realize the dogs could hurt him but I would consider it an unfortunate accident that could happen to any animal or child in my home. I do supervise or have the dogs locked up but you never know do ya?  I just think he's happier being free range so even if something bad happens he would have been a happy rat.

Wait wait wait - repellant?? Like, bug repellant or something? I REALLY hope not because that should DEFINITELY not be used around rats! To have a rat free range, you'll have to block off areas you don't want him to go with chloroplast or something similar. And yeah...definitely a big risk on the cat and dog that I wouldn't be willing to take. You just never know.

There are animal safe repellants such as bitter apple - but I don't know how effecting they are on rats.

My Cairo has been free all of his life,and I just wanted to offer you my support.I know that alot of people wouldn't consider it safe,but I know how happy it makes them,and what great pets they become when they're free.Cairo is the tamest rat I've ever had,and it's even more special to me,since he has the choise whether or not to be tame!I was only allowing him to be free because I hadn't modified the top of my FN,and he could squeeze out.He goes in the cage to eat and drink,and even uses the litterbox there(I find very few raisins in my floor,so I'm assuming he uses only it!)He's about to be too big to squeeze out(He's about 6 months,I think,I'd have to look it up),and I'm not sure what to do then.I'd really feel bad to take away his freedom!I have the top of my FN set up with lots of sleeping places and tunnels,so I'm guessng I will just add a water bottle and food bowl.Cairo doesnt chew,though.I've never found anything chewed in my house.I'mreally careful to never leave the bathroom doors open(scared of him drowning in the toilet),the doors to the outside open,fridge,dishwasher,clothes dryer,etc.always stay closed,too.Cairo pokes his head out of the couch and bites our butts,too!I think it's pretty cute,but my hubby doesn't like it.Cairo has pretty much learned not to mess with him though!Having a free rat has worked out so far great for us.I hope it does for you ,too.Be very careful,though!I've had some close calls with some of my other rats during their schuled free range time!Domino got out in the yard,once.Luckily one of my neighbors saw him,and he comes when you call him.Cadence fell in the bathtub with water in it.And,Hurley climbed into the clothes washer(still not sure how).So,be careful,they can get places that you don't know they can!Sorry this is so long and rambling!I'm trying to offer advise,my brain is just a little scrambley tonight!It's late!

Is Iban a little thief,too?My Cairo sure is!He's always taking something of mine into his hiding places.Last night he took my new glass earring!Weird!He only steals my stuff,too.Not the kids or Hubbys...

I know that they sell some cord covers at Petsmart,if that helps any.

Another thing-I mop and wipe down all the hard surfaces in my house daily.I steam clean pretty often,too.Until rats learn to pee only in the litter box,get used to alot of extra cleaning!I would imagine that if you put it off for a while the damage might be irreversible!

What kind of spray could you possibly use that would safely repel a rat? The sprays like bitter apple are for chewing... it keeps the rat from putting an object in their mouth, not from entering a room.

Free range time is always my rats' favorite hehe. If you have issues with Iban wanting to play when you don't want to maybe he just needs a companion rat?  :BlueDumboSmileTongue:

I imagine it has a bad smell as well. Like I said I don't know if it would work on rats but they have sensitive noses, right?

I agree.. having had free range rats I feel so guilty keeping the boys we have now in a cage. They're a lot happier out of the cage. More to do to keep them stimulated and it is a great feeling when they seek out your attention when they could easily stay hidden away. I miss having a dog live with me full time, and the rats were a great substitute for that the way they come right out to see you and for attention.

I also think you need to weigh the risks against the benefits of situations like this where happiness is a big factor. If there's a mild risk, and the benefits are great, it's worth it. If it's a huge risk for not much of a benefit, then maybe reconsider.. but if you have the ability to allow the rat free range with minimal risk, then I think that's a good choice, so long as you take appropriate precautions to avoid accidents that could have been prevented.


One thing on cord protectors. I've found it helps to apply a few strips of electrical tape around the cord protectors after slipping them on. My rats and my rabbit have successfully pulled the cords out of the protectors without the extra security. My rats have also chewed through the cord protectors, but it does help to slow them down and give you time to replace them before they get to the actual wire.

I just wanted to say "Thank you" to Dazy!She made it sound really good about weighing the benefits of having a free rat.I've been very scared for a long time to admit to everyone here that I have a rat that doesn't live in a cage.I thought everyone would immediately jump down my throat...So,thanks everyone else,too for not flaming me! :)

I have one rat that is free range 80% of the time when I'm home. But I put her up with the other girls when we are sleeping. People dont believe me when I tell them she will come when I call her!

 I just get paranoid when I'm putting clothes in the dryer or loading the dishwasher... I make my kids hold her until I'm done. And I really have to watch opening the doors because she wants outside so bad!

Free range isn't right for all rats.. I've let a couple of other girls try it and they were not as trustworthy. But if its right for you and your rat, I say go for it!

wackyweed, can you tell us what kind of spray you use? i'm still really curious

I know that Cairo is totally different than any of my other rats,since he's been free his whole life.He has 'street smarts'.He's a really cautious little guy.And he moves super fast!My other guys walk slower,and arent afraid of anything,but Cairo is always on the lookout.I really can't see him letting anyone sit on him or anything.He is REALLY tame though,even if he's cautious.Most affectionate rat I have,too.It's kinda hard for me to explain!I really think it's interesting,the difference between all of them.And,I love Cairo so much!I knew he was special when he was born,but I didn't know how special!And,unlike my other rats,who pretty much love the whole family,Cairo only has eyes for me!Wich is super cool,to me!

Wow I am happy to see so many free range rats. I know some of you are concerned about the repellant I have used and please believe I would never put anything down that would hurt my rat. The first thing I used was vinegar then i tried a non toxic Melaleuca oil in a spray bottle then I tried bitter apple. I was hoping he wouldn't like the smell of the stuff and avoid the area. Anyway I ended up just buying some scree an making it into a roll and put it behing the entertainment stand so people can't really see it and he can't get back there.  I will continue to let him be free range because I haven't had any reason not to. now that the dangers are blocked off. I was really just wanting to know if anyone had success with anything like a spray.