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Goosemoose Pet Portal
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Rats Rule!
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Rat Care Corner
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New Companion?
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Topic: New Companion? (Read 202 times)
Shaunny
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New Companion?
«
on:
September 03, 2008, 04:03:33 PM »
Not really sure where to post this, but this seems most fitting.
I had to put my rat Ophelia down today; she'd suffered from a stroke or two that left her unable to walk or eat. However, this leaves me with her companion, Tilly, who is about a year and a half old. My dilemma is that I don't know whether I should just let her live out the rest of her life by herself, or get another rat as a companion for her. Seeing as she's so old I'm worried that she wouldn't accept a new companion; her and Phe had been together since babies. Any suggestions? Both were pet store babies, unfortunately, but Tilly seems completely healthy. Should I just continue a cycle of replacing one rat when the other dies?
Any suggestions are welcome. Here's a picture of Phe, just for kicks:
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c46/monotonerainbow/PheandTilly029.jpg
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Selestine
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Re: New Companion?
«
Reply #1 on:
September 03, 2008, 04:23:37 PM »
Why not get two little ratty babies? Then the little ones can keep each other occupied when they're feeling frisky without irritating your older girl, and when she passes they will still have each other.
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RatAttack59
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Re: New Companion?
«
Reply #2 on:
September 03, 2008, 04:26:19 PM »
Just what I was thinking. My older rats never seemed to have a problem accepting babies, and it might help perk up Tilly, as she's likely to grieve for a bit. So sorry you lost Ophelia this soon.
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The Boys: Athos * Andy * Tempest * Maverick * Dante * Louis * Zeus * Styx * Punchkin * Milton
The Girls: Angel * Ladybug * Diva * Penelope * Tyrant * Maggie * Blue Belle * Marli
RIP: Smidge, Courtney, Duncan, Bailey, Muffin, Frankie, Dartanion, Blagutt, Puppy, Smudge, Cinders
Shaunny
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Re: New Companion?
«
Reply #3 on:
September 03, 2008, 04:31:16 PM »
Thanks RatAttack. I let her smell Phe's body before I buried her... I know they do that with horses so I thought I'd give it a try. She seemed like she was upset, but understood.
Do you think my cage would be big enough for three? I don't have a picture, but you can see it pretty well in this video I have:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8iIZlAriXM
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Shaunny
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Re: New Companion?
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Reply #4 on:
September 03, 2008, 07:27:30 PM »
Bumps.
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Claymore
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Claymore my <3
Re: New Companion?
«
Reply #5 on:
September 04, 2008, 02:20:12 AM »
I agree with getting 2 younger rats, siblings preferably. As for the cage, I have the exact same one, and it will not be big enough for 3 girls. Since Petsmart stopped carrying the one that would best suit the number, I suggest going there or Petco and see what type of larger cages they have. If you plan to keep rats for a long time, such as having them as lifetime companions, people have enjoyed Ferret Nation cages, and Martins cages, both of which can be found online. I did see a nice ferret cage at Petsmart, 2 actually, but you have to make sure the bars are no more than 1 inch apart, and these cages are somewhat expensive. There again, Martins and Ferret Nation cages aren't cheap either. There are cage swaps you can do with other people here, and I think there is one at
http://www.rmca.org
.
The cage you have right now will work for the 3 until you have a new cage, but I would get the new one, or order it shortly after getting the new girls. Have fun finding your new little ones to keep you and Tilly company, & make sure you get that bigger cage.
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Our boys and girls: Skipper, Track, Mix, Danali, Glacier, Hummer(Jr), Eagle, Sergeant, Angel, Delila, Tatter Tott, Twitch, Peach & Snowflake.
At the Rainbow Bridge: Efrell, Jimmy, Spirit, Ashers, Hummers(Sr), Tiny, Jumbo, Claymore & Ice.
RatAttack59
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Re: New Companion?
«
Reply #6 on:
September 04, 2008, 06:06:42 AM »
Personally I have a bunch of Martins and I love them. You will need HALF inch or less spacing for babies (Ferret cages are generally 1" but not always). Sometimes you can get them used. Your cage looks OK for the three while the new additions are still babies; you will have time to shop around.
I will probably invest in a FN or CN (when/if they come out!) eventually, but for now my eight Martins will do just fine.
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The Boys: Athos * Andy * Tempest * Maverick * Dante * Louis * Zeus * Styx * Punchkin * Milton
The Girls: Angel * Ladybug * Diva * Penelope * Tyrant * Maggie * Blue Belle * Marli
RIP: Smidge, Courtney, Duncan, Bailey, Muffin, Frankie, Dartanion, Blagutt, Puppy, Smudge, Cinders
Claymore
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Claymore my <3
Re: New Companion?
«
Reply #7 on:
September 04, 2008, 12:22:00 PM »
I made a mistake, RatAttack is right about the half inch bar spacing. My apologies.
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Our boys and girls: Skipper, Track, Mix, Danali, Glacier, Hummer(Jr), Eagle, Sergeant, Angel, Delila, Tatter Tott, Twitch, Peach & Snowflake.
At the Rainbow Bridge: Efrell, Jimmy, Spirit, Ashers, Hummers(Sr), Tiny, Jumbo, Claymore & Ice.
Shaunny
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Re: New Companion?
«
Reply #8 on:
September 04, 2008, 07:27:12 PM »
2 new baby girls it is! However, I'd like to try to find a breeder... I don't want to go through that dilemma again. Does anyone happen to know of a breeder near London, ON? I've been Googling but haven't come up with anything yet.
Thanks for your advice.
Conveniently, my younger brother has expressed interest in owning some rats so we might be able to split on a cage.
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Claymore
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Claymore my <3
Re: New Companion?
«
Reply #9 on:
September 04, 2008, 10:57:33 PM »
Try going to http:www.ratster.com they have a list of breeders, there might be someone near you. Also, don't be afraid to go to the humane society or a rescue. There are many rats out there looking for a forever home, and breeders only have about 2 - 3 litters/year. You can make a difference in a ratties life.
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Our boys and girls: Skipper, Track, Mix, Danali, Glacier, Hummer(Jr), Eagle, Sergeant, Angel, Delila, Tatter Tott, Twitch, Peach & Snowflake.
At the Rainbow Bridge: Efrell, Jimmy, Spirit, Ashers, Hummers(Sr), Tiny, Jumbo, Claymore & Ice.
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