Few questions, please

[Bren]

1. How often should Yogies be given to my ratties? Do they have to be a certain age before I give them to them?

2. Has anyone gave this http://www.craftyrat.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=FS-002&Category_Code=FS to their Ratties? Is it safe for them?

3. Is it ok/safe to trim Ratties nails?

thanks for your help I know I may ask some crazy questions, but I'd rather be safe than sorry...I want to do the best I can when it comes to raising my Ratties

 

[Bati]

1 - my personal oppinion: Never, it's McDonalds for rats 8) but as few as possible
2 - don't know it
3 - it's safe but like dogs / birds etc they have a blod-vessel in the nail and if you cut too close it'll bleed like ****, let the vet or someone show you how to do it. I have a stone under the drinkingbottle so everytime they drink they get a nailtrim, and I have never had to trim anyone

 

[jorats]

I'm with Bati on the first one.

Yoggies is pure sugar, sugar is BAD!!!

1. No yoggies, ever.
2. I checked it out, it does look very good but keep in mind that if you feed your rats a block as their staple and start feeding this mix to their diet, they may very well ignore their blocks for this food. But if you give it like once a week, that should be find. But keep an eye on their weight. Remember, their stomachs is the size of the tip of your baby finger. As an example, one cheerio is like us eating a bowl of cereal. Several cheerios would be us eating the whole box. We mustn't overfeed our rats. :wink:
3. yes, you can, I used to until I just gave up. They are squirmy little buggers. :lol:

 

[user 78]

Yogurt drops really are nothing better than sugar and oil, sort of like the Twinkie of the rat world. If you want to give them treats, try small pieces of fresh fruits and vegetables.

I've never used that particular mix, but I wouldn't feed it all that often. Maybe as a treat every once in a while. It's based mostly on grains, and while that's okay some of the time, when it's given alot your rats tend to pack on the pounds. If you're feeding them a good quality rodent block, they don't need that many grains.

It's okay to trim their nails, but you do have to be very careful. The quick is the pink part of their nail, and it will bleed heavily if you cut their nails too short. It also hurts like all get out. If you can have someone show you how to do it, that's always helpful. If not : Get a pair of baby nail clippers. You only trim the tips of the nails, staying well away from where the pink quick ends. You only want to trim the part of the nail that's totally white. Keep some cornstarch, flour, or styptic powder nearby to stop the bleeding if you do accidentally nick them. Be very careful of their other toes! Most rats don't enjoy having their nails trimmed, and will squirm and fight you. It's very easy to catch a toe or the pads of their feet.

 

[Bren]

Yeah I think I'll stay clear of the yoggies I agree with giving fresh fruit instead, much healthier

as far as the mix I asked about, I think I'll just stay clear it as well, I don't want to be giving them something thats not good for them

as for the nail trimming, I know about watching for the quick and all, so I'll trim them with the baby nail trimmers and if they turn out to be too squirmy, they I'll do the brick under the water bottle

Thanks for all your info, I really appreciate it