im living in the uk and to be honest am feeling rather limited as most products i have heard about only seem to be available to america unless i want to pay really high shipping rates.  Could any one in the uk suggest what they use and where they get it from? websites and recommended products would be perfect

Thanks in advance

You know...that's funny...  because as an American there's a lot of stuff only available in the UK that I would LOVE to get my pawsies on.

Ditto that!  Beth has some lovely solid corner shelves that I can't find on this side of the pond!

Ok, firstly be careful where you get your rats from. I don't know where you are but most pet shops don't care much about their rodents. Try checking out your local RSPCA or track down a breeder (we can help with that).

For food, Wilkinsons own is as good as any.

For floor covering, I use morrisons own or Bob Martins recycled paper cat litter. You can get Bob Martins at Asda.

Bedding, try shredding your own paper or just using toilet paper. You only need to buy the cheap stuff.

Most pet shops sell 'igloos' that make perfect ratty beds.

As for toys, wel, you have to improvise, but that's half of the fun. Anything that they can climb or hide in will be well received. Hamster balls can be fastened to the side of the cage for them to climb inside, hammocks are great, boxes (consider whether the contents were poisonous), ropes, carpet tubes.... whatever you can think of.

Have I missed anything?

Toys wise i have allready started collecting empty bits a bobs from around the house, got a little couson growing up fast so some of his old cloths will come usfull to, one main thing im thinking about is food and flooring as from what i have been there are a lot of things out that that harm rats  .  Just want to make sure there safe, thats why i have come to you lot 

Check out my website:
www.geocities.com/nanaki_xvii
 
For bedding I use BedXcel which is shredded cardboard. 
http://www.hillmeadow.co.uk

For food I like to use Burgress Supa rat and should be widley available to you.  I add some things to it though to give a bit of variety.
http://www.geocities.com/nanaki_xvii/food.html

For buying lots of neat bits and pieces I like the ratwarehouse which has already been mentioned and Acrorats:
www.acrorats.co.uk  Both will cost you a fortune cos of all the neat new things they sell!

I don't know where you live but if your near central Scotland then consider Mana Rattery, run by 'Squeaky', a member here.  I have 3 rats from her and they are the most affectionate I've ever owned!
http://www.mana.vinix.co.uk/

sorry i forgot to say yes im in scotland (in beween aberdeen and dundee)

Thanks squeaky!  I am naming them Mr. McFluffles and Mr. Twinkie. *cuddles her virtual roanies*

Hey Sunilata!  Do you want their sister/daughter too?  

SURE! And this is Sprinkles!
Sorry we are hijacking your thread, geekie!

You can't really get lab blocks here, the nearest is the rat nuggets from Pets at Home. They are fine though (although the rats might get a bit bored with them). You can feed alone or mix those in with cereals etc just like you might a rat mix. (Check out www.shunamiterats.co.uk/diet.html for ideas)
Don't worry about chew toys, they grind their teeth down by bruxing anyway so wood blocks etc aren't essential and don't taste nearly so good as table legs etc!
I'll pm you with some contact info for breeders.

I know Montrose, but I bet Nanaki doesn't
 

I've heard of Montrose...^_^;;  But...how I've heard of it is rather silly, so I'mma keepin' it to m'self.

...I wanna go to a rat show.  *CRIES*