The Rat Room

So we are pretty much still doing out time together, changing cages and all that jazz. It’s working out pretty well. At first I wasn’t so sure. Max really got stressed out and went on a rampage sorta, in a cool rat kind of way. Max is not a meanie, just gets overwhelmed and if you are near, he’ll let you know about it. A few days later and he’s still not that happy with the other boys smells. But he’s getting better. He’s actually not seeking anyone out but he doesn’t enjoy company much during out time. He’d rather roam around alone. All the others seem ready for the move. Even Rory! Rory happily moves about, especially during out time. He’s quite content with life and when a new guy walks by he doesn’t really mind at all. Gera… well, he’s just a happy boy. The main friction right now is Max and little Meeko. Doc and Chief stand up to Max but not Meeko. Meeko shrieks like a banshee and runs for his life. So on and on we go. No move yet.

Gera coming out for out time.

Rory happily munching on a block, one he found stashed away by the pro Molly under the cage.

I have been waiting for a rat room for a very long time. Finally my oldest son is moving out. He’s going into residence at Laurentian University leaving me with an empty room. We are slowly fixing it up, making it perfect for the rats. I chose a slate grey green colour for the walls. I’ve added a big flat ball type thing for a light, which gives off a lot of light so the darker colour paint and flooring will work out nicely. The floor is a walnut oak laminate wood. I’ll soon be adding a thick baseboard and new curtains as well. The first week of September will be rat move in day. I need to get all my stuff done by then and it would be great if I have the Rory and Gera group living together by then too. But still not holding my breath on that last one.

Here’s the room before:

And so far with the new paint and flooring:

Honestly… everything would go just right if only Max would accept the other boys. I’m pretty sure even Rory would be ok with the new guys if only Max would tell him that everything is ok and no need to panic. But no. Max is constantly sounding the alarm, warning of an impending invasion. He’d rather stay separate than to unite. Typical Quebecois. lol
So we will keep doing the switcheroo of the cages in the hopes that he’ll get used to the smells and finally accept the boys. Poor Chief got the brunt of it today, a little cut up on his rump but he’ll live. I bet the ladies are going to love his war scars.

A few pics of the gang.

These guys have been going through intros for quite some time. But they are still not ready to move in together. For one, Rory and Max haven’t really interacted with the new boys. In fact they avoid each other so throwing them all in the cage at once will not do. I don’t want to make them resent each other. I do know that Max hasn’t accepted them yet. Rory is getting really close. So I cleaned up Rory’s CN and added lots of stuff, some from Gera’s cage and kept some of theirs as well. I’ve separated the CN in two. Gera and friends will be at the top and Rory and family at the bottom. But this will change everyday. After each out time this week, they will switch sides. Hopefully this will get them used to the idea that they are all living together. The smells are the same and are there to stay so they better get used to it fast. I’m hoping that I will have them living together in a week. But I’m certainly not holding my breath. lol

The cage!

When you bring home your rats, you need to make sure that not only their habitat is adequate, safe and fun but you must also assure that their out time will be safe as well. Rat proofing the area is very important, set it up before your rat gets into trouble. Things to look out for are electrical cords, outlets, spots where a rat can get into and anything that you don’t want to get chewed. My sister has lost a beloved couch to her rats. They have tunnelled through it and made it their own. They have since heavily ducked taped it.
I recommend making a corral around the cage, setting it up as their play pen. Rats need exercise and mental stimulation as well as daily human interactions. Out time should be at least an hour a day. Allowing them to climb, run and explore will keep them fit and healthy.
I use a great product called coroplast. It’s a corrugated plastic used mainly for sign boards. It comes in big sheets so you can cut it down to size and attach it with zipties. Recently, I had to make mine bigger, I’ve acquired rats skilled in gymnastics.
Some people will use wood boards to fasten together, it’s a little heavier but it will also do the trick. With rats that are less energetic, you might be able to use big cardboard boxes.
The bottom line, make your ratties’ home and play ground safe and secure.

My corral, keeping rats inside and safe.

My corral from a few years ago.

Yesterday I was not able to take the rats out for their usual out times. I had to go out for a few tests and came back too late.
But today… when it was time for the Gera and Rory group to come out, I had to check them over several times… make sure it was them. They were all super happy and hyper. It was wonderful having bouncing rats all around me. Especially Gera, he has transformed. He’s feisty and playful, going after all the girls making everyone and everyrat laugh. It was a good good day. This has made me hopeful that the move in together might be more realistic than I first thought. yay!
Today Gera has a vet check… I’m sure my Dr. Vannevel will be so pleased with the progress. Gera is doing great!!

A happy but pooped out Rory.

Molly doing her act again.

After only a few days on Clavamox, Gera is feeling quite well. He is no longer holding his leg up, nor is it swollen or red. He’s actually running on it now. And the best news, that lump in his groin is almost gone. I feel so relieved and I’m sure Gera is too.
The intros are going very well, a few setbacks each time though because they aren’t living together yet. Each day, when they meet again, they have to go through the whole alpha, beta and omega process. This can get tiring for everyone. The girls don’t much mind at all, it really only involves Max, Rory and Chief. But Gera is sitting back and waiting. I can see him taking over once everyone has settled in. This might happen at the end of August, once I have my rat room up.

The only pic I could take of Gera, he was always on the move.

Baby Meeko, looking more like a maturing rat. Awwww

Rory on the ramp.

A couple of days ago, I noticed Gera was holding up his leg and wasn’t moving much. I waited it out hoping it was a simple sprain but the swelling never came. So I packed my sweet Gera up and off to the vet we went. The vet suspect cellulitis. He’s now on Clavamox for the next two weeks. We hope that this will treat it and he’ll be right back to normal. Gera also has a small lump in his groin. We are hoping it’s only a neuter abscess which can sometimes happen. Clavamox should take care of that as well.
Gera has been enjoying the extra coddling. He especially approves of his Cozygloo which I gave him when it’s out time. This way he can be out with me and I can watch him so the other rats won’t bother him. The girls don’t seem to understand that Gera needs some recovery time.
We are back at the vet’s next Tuesday for a follow-up. Wish us well.

Get well soon Gera.

2 years ago, my mom took in 5 rescues which ended up into 32 rats because the girls were pregnant. Anna was a princess from the start. She was a fun loving girl and never partook in any bullying or shunning of the buddies. She welcomed newcomers and made them part of her cuddle group.
Anna Banana was born on May 6th 2008. She was part of a large litter but only 10 survived. She came to me at the age of 5 weeks along with 7 of her siblings and half siblings. She was named Anna Banana Cream Pie because of her whispery white curly hairs and that rich beige making up her bareback marking. She is a beauty. She survived the bout of illness that took many of my rats. She made it to 26 months old only to be stolen away from me by a pituitary tumour. She fought it hard but it was too much to ask. I finally let her go. She is reunited with so many siblings and buddies, I know she’s having fun again… in her beautiful loving spirit.

Anna at 4 weeks.

Anna Banana at 23 months old.

So last night, I did take Chief and Doc out from Gera’s cage. I just couldn’t risk anything happening. Although it did break my heart because Chief was really enjoying himself, and Meeko and Doc were playing quite a bit. But this morning, I scrubbed down the cage and moved them in. This is working out as it should. They are still getting their out time with Rory and gang. Everyone had fun today, Max wasn’t so nice to Doc but Doc needed it. Doc gets into these weird over excitable moods so when Max or Rory sets him straight, I’m quite thankful. It always settles down the Doc.
It was fun to see all the rats just being themselves and enjoying their out time. Their cage is still not available to them. That will be the next step.

Baby Meeko

The ever beautiful Molly