Decorator help needed!!

[Loosie]

I need some advice on how to set up the cage for our two girls. We have never had rats before, so please be patient with me.

We bought a hammock and all Oreo and Kiwi want to do is chew on the straps! I have it hanging down quite a bit. Should it be tighter to the roof? I was going on the presumption that they just aren't used to having a hammock and therefore don't know to use it (I know I would if I were them).

As well, do they like a lot of toys in the cage with them. Unfortunately, they are left alone most of the day during the week (today is their first workday without us - or us without them - as we just got them on the weekend.

Thanks

[trubandloki]

Some ratties use their hammocks like we think they should    and some ratties use their hammocks they way THEY think they should.   

If you look at the thread at the top of this section  you can see lots of ideas on how people have decorated their cages.

My girls never seemed to  use their hammocks for more than another level to climb on.  Then one day I found them snuggled inside.  The only thing that had changed was one of them had gone in there and chewed the lining to shreds.  The hammock was now personalized.  Now when I buy a new hammock my girl goes right in and chews some holes and it's just the way they like it.

I do have toys in my cage.  I have some small stuffed animals and some cat toys too.  I find the things that are not meant as toys get more attention than the things that are supposed to be toys. 

Don't worry about them being home alone during the day.  They sleep all day. 

It sounds like you are going to be a wonderful rat mom!!!!

[Sunilata]

Yeah, my girls shred hammocks, too. I've gotten used to it, and sworn that I won't buy them any more since they just treat nice, cute Dearpie hammocks as nice, cute chew toys!

[Loosie]

That's a riot!  We let Oreo and Kiwi run around on the spare bed. They would go behind the pillows and (we thought) snuggle. But noooooo, they were chewing up my pillowcases! 

So, you are absolutely right - there is a big difference between what we think they should do and what they think they should do.

For the record, I am a rattie grandma!! Technically, the girls belong to our daughter who is ten. And she already gives me trouble for spoiling them! 

[Dearpie]

Hi and welcome!  It sounds like your girls have a great life, lots of chew toys, ie pillowcases and hammocks! hehehe  Try tossing in a toilet paper roll with a few treats and the ends folded in.  That makes for some good chewing too!  Also, it's messy, but they love to shred newspaper.  Dapper rat has some great ideas for toys and of course, decorating can be found in the first few threads ...

In regards to the hammock straps, yep, I find that my rats will chew them down the first things, so that's why I use grommets in the corners of the hammocks I make.  If you're interested in any of the hammocks I make, just click on that part of my signature, or there's a thread going in Swap Meet, where I'm also having a sale on some of the select fabrics.    *Shameless plug, but all proceeds go to Any Rat Rescue to cover the cost of the vet bills*

[October]

I make hammocks with old pants or shirts and hot glue.

I  cut sort of a tube from the leg of the pants and glue down one side and then  glue straps. Its like a pocket kinda, they love to eat in them...and eat them...

[sarahem007]

My Oreo used to hate her hammock, but then one day I found her snuggled up in it. Since then, that's all she wants. And her igloos. Balls(the cat balls with the bells inside) make wonderful toys for young rats and old rats. My girls have tons of fun dragging the balls up to the third level of their cage and then dropping it and letting it roll all the way back down. It's pretty noisy at night.

You can look into getting a wodent wheel for them. Young rats enjoy wheels:http://www.transoniq.com/wodent.html

here's a link to homemade rat toys: http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm

and you might want to litter box train them so they wont poop everywhere. Use a box or what ever works and use a different bedding then the one they have in their cage.  If you see any stray poos, put them in the box, they'll figure it out.

Good Luck

[Loosie]

We have started litter training. We do need to get some bedding that is different to what they have in the rest of the cage. I'm thinking Yesterday's News. My daughter uses a Barbie spoon to pick up the "raisins" and put them into the litter box. Unfortunately, they stand on the edge and tip the whole lot over .... and so we continue.

I like the idea of a wodent wheel (if nothing else, I like the name). We were also looking at the ball that you put them into and let them run around the house in. I know Kiwi would like it - she knows there is something verrrrry exciting outside the room she is in and is dying to get to it. Unfortunately, our cat, Bonkers, is also out there. We are not ready for them to meet just yet.

[sarahem007]

I'm telling you now, they wont like the ball. They're too smart for it, and will just sit in it and pee. And I'm guessing it hurts their tails.


What type of cage do you have? Is it wire? You can buy one of those corner litter trays, they have hooks to prevent from topping over.

[Loosie]

We do have a wire cage. We are just using a Ziplock square plastic container at the moment. Thanks for the idea of getting a corner toilet.

My daughter made a "hidey house" out of Lego and put it on one of the shelves with scraps of material on the "floor". Kiwi has taken to it already.

Looks like we are going shopping this weekend. We will hold off on the ball. It's a little pricey in any event. Don't want to buy it if the consensus is that it is not a great toy.

[Dearpie]

You can put a hole in the container and zip tie the litter box to the cage.

[Adventure Rats]

I'm telling you now, they wont like the ball. They're too smart for it, and will just sit in it and pee. And I'm guessing it hurts their tails.

This is NOT true! Sorry but some rats LOVE their balls (hehehe) and it's no worse then a rat who uses a wheel all the time...it's even got a name..wheelie tail!!! I'm unsure why people keep telling others that rats hates these running balls, a sweet rat could be missing out on the best time of their lives. If your rats end up not liking it, it can be split in 1/2 and used as a sleeping areas (on the ground) or the 2 doors can be taken off and it can be hung and used as a hanging sleeping area also. You will need to get a smaller for starters and then if they like it get the big rat sized one.

This is my late GREAT Lucy!!! She lived for her ball and her boyfriend Lewie!! She navigated the house like champ, making every turn and not hitting a wall.




I also like to set up play area's with stuff for them to explore and get into. Cardboard box castles are fun to make and the rats love them! I use my dinning room table, it's right in the mix of things which I like.


The aluminum pan is filled with water and pea's!!! It's great pass time, Pea Fishing. It takes a little while for them to figure it out, but once they realize there are pea's in that water there's no keeping some of them out. Some rats even love to swim in the water, now that's fun to watch.

I use a lot of box's in the cages and a lot of fabric for them to nest in. It usually take a while for the rats to realize how great hammocks are but I have not had a rat (and I've had a LOT of rats) who hasn't figured it out and grown to love them. Dearpie hammocks are the BEST!!! Not only are they cute cute cute but sturdy too. The hammocks from the pet store with the straps are crap, the rats usually chew the straps down. I also buy bird toys for chewing on and hanging from the top of the cage.

What size is your cage? If you can post a pic, which we want pics of the girls any ways, then we can give more suggestion. Part of the fun though is to play with it and mix it up every week when you clean the cage.

I love the Lego house idea, too cute. Sounds like you guys will be a fine rat family. Beware though, GGMR (Gotta Get More Rats) happens to ALL of us and there is usually no stopping it!!!

Dearpie's right on too...put the few buck you would spend on a corner litter box for more toys. Have hubby put a few holes in it with a drill and use twist ties to attach it to the side!!

Also if their young, nows the time to introduce a Wodent Wheel and a running ball if you want to. The younger they are the more prone to trying new things they are.

Good luck and congRATulations on the new additions!!

[ttiwedas]

my rats like to sleep all day, and they get to play for at least one hour each night when i get home from work around 9 or ten pm. We play outside the cage together, then they go back into their house for the night and they play all night in their cage while I sleep ( or try to). I have a hammock or hanging tube for them to play in, one bird ladder, a klackety bird ladder(made of colorful wooden links for climbing and chewing) as well as their roll a nest and critter kabob. They scampera round all night long.
They seem to love their store bought bird toys, but they have just as much fun when they are out climbing the bookshelves or hiding in a carboard box playing peekaboo. I think if they are bored, they will be able to play with whatever you offer!

[Mischief_Love]

We have started litter training. We do need to get some bedding that is different to what they have in the rest of the cage. I'm thinking Yesterday's News. My daughter uses a Barbie spoon to pick up the "raisins" and put them into the litter box. Unfortunately, they stand on the edge and tip the whole lot over .... and so we continue.

I use a large plastic dog dish with a wide base for my litter box and they havent tipped it over yet.If you keep having problems you could try it.

[Loosie]

Wow! Thanks for all that info. We really like the idea of the ball - and that way the girls could get off the bed (which is their free ranging boundary at the moment) and go sightseeing (and probably scare the crap out of our old cat). 

We have plastic balls and a cloth playhouse on the bed for them to play with. They love to go into the house (usually through the opening in the roof). I have started playing "peek-a-boo" by opening and closing the front door. As well my daughter does her homework lying on the bed with them running all around her (or tries to!)

It will be off to the shops this weekend I'm sure!

[sarahem007]

hm. well there are some rats who love those balls. i'm so jealous. lol. they look cute in the balls.

[Loosie]

Well folks, we went out on the weekend and bought a ball. Did not go over well. We have decided to just leave it out when they are playing and hopefully they get used to it.

We did get wood bird chew that hangs from the top of the cage - that went over better. As well, my daughter hung the monkeys from her Barrel of Monkeys game inside the cage and they seem to like knocking them down.

I will be posting pictures soon - I think I have the camera figured out.

Thanks for all your advice.

[knuckles]

hehe....I can just picture a bunch of rats stashing those little monkeys.

[Heather]

If they don't like the ball now, they probably won't like it later either. I suggest throwing the top away and slipping some wire through the air hole slots and wire it to the side of the cage for an awesome snuggle spot (I guarentee they will like it then). I used to have the run around balls tied inside the cages for mine but after the lice infestation I had to toss them because I was afraid the lice eggs would get between little crevices where I couldn't clean. Right now I am getting ready to buy the largest one, the 11" one to tie in my Ruud cage. I had the one size down and atleast 5, 1 lb+, boys would cram themselves in it to sleep. I figure my 2 boys and 8 girls will love the extra room to stretch out in (though knowing my luck all 10 will cram into it) with the largest ball and bigger's always better.

[Loosie]

Good idea. Thanks.

[ratmomma]

I make a small ball of paper , put a couple of nuts or seeds in in. Then I wrap another layer over that and repeat until it's pretty big, putting a couple of seeds in each layer. Keeps the kids and the rats busy! I also use old polarfleece toddler hats that I hang from the top of the cage by the velcro and let it rest on the top shelf. that is their favorite place.

I have had no luck with the rat balls. I had one that went in once and then she BRACED herself against the opening the next time we tried to put her in. I let mine go in the kids room with the door shut. We do have some trouble catching one of them, but it's pretty safe in there. They are too hyper to stay on the couch for long.

Enjoy! They are the best pet for kids we have had yet! I have had nine (just got #10) since Dec 2001. I kept thinking that they would die and I would get a "real " pet in a couple of years, but we like them so much we haven't gotten around to it! My husband is totally hooked. The kids classes went NUTS when we brought them in. A lot of Moms got a "Pleeeese mommmm. Can we get two rats?"