General Monthly Expenses on Rats -- Without VetCare

[Little_Vixen]

It's been a LOoooooong Loooong time since I've came to this forum. Frankly I miss it. But, I have a few questions and I figured that you all would be the people to go to for the answers At least some estimations.

I nearly bought 2 rats from a Petsmart yesterday. Yes yes I know, animal mills, bad breeding etc. I didn't do it. Even though it hurt not to get them, I'm still thinking about them now... I didn't have a vet though and even though I'm searching online, I lost the site I found a vet on a month ago so I'm having no luck. No vet = no rats.

But it brought up a good few questions that I need help on. Estimations etc. On the general monthly upkeep (Without vetbills, my boyfriend would be covering that for me) of rats, bedding, food, toys, etc etc. My boyfriend wanted to know and since it's been literally months since i thought about having them, I didn't remember. It's been 2 years since I've had rats at all. I felt completely blind-sighted that he was going to let me walk out with those 2 boys, I was unprepared and didn't have my list of all my 'must haves' for getting rats again. Cage calculations (I want to get 3 rats if possible for that just-in-case of one getting sick and leaving us), what to look for to make sure they are healthy before you pick them up (wheezy, skin condition etc) and just yea...

I would prefer to use a cage with bedding like aspen but even with that, that's not a big expense, it was $7 for a huge bag of aspen at PetSmart. Not going to use the whole bag in a month I don't think.

So can anyone give me their estimations on how much they spend on their rats on a monthly basis (from general stuff to toys etc)? It would help me gather numbers.

 

[purinpurin]

For me, I spent about $700 in total for the "start-up". It included bedding (I don't use aspen, or anything like that; I only use fleece or towels as bedding), cage, toys, chews, treats, hammocks, food (Harlan Teklad 2014 - 33lb bag, I believe it was), water bottles, veggies, hiding places/houses... I think that's about it... XD

I still spend about $300/month on my rats, buying them new houses, hammocks, treats and veggies. I love buying things for my pets though, so I don't think many people spend that much a month. I spend another $500/month on my dogs too, so my pocket's always a little on the empty side at the end of the month... :S My own fault though, lol.

After you get the start-up things, then the only necessities you should be concerned with is food (make sure you order more before your current bag of lab blocks run out), a supply of fresh water, and clean bedding (whatever you decide to use). I try to set aside a small amount of money for emergency vet bills, which I highly recommend (even just $50~100/month is fine). If vet bills run unexpectedly high and it's a burden on your boyfriend, then you could split it or something.

 

[Dazzle87]

I'm going to include monthly as well as one time costs, not including vet care. I'm also only including my five, though I do have two fosters that I bought a cage for, buy toys for, etc.

Double CN, used, $100. Bass pans so I could use litter, $65.

The beginning cage decorating costs are expensive, and then from there out it is a bit cheaper. Two igloos (TBH I have a TON, but 2 is the min) $20. Two sets of shelf liners for a DCN $40. Parrot toys, climbing toys, etc $40. Water bottles, 2 (I have more) $15.

Monthly bedding, wood pellets $25.

Monthly food for five rats, HT $7.50 (to get a lower price per pound I buy larger amounts)

Monthly fresh and frozen fruits and veggies $40ish, though some of the fruits and veggies get used by me.

Monthly hammocks, variable, but lets say an upkeep or two hammocks minimum per month $20. With chewers it could be more.

Monthly tubes, tunnels, and toys $25.

Food bowls, two large for dry, 1 small for wet, $10.

Granted, some of these costs can be cut by buying used, shopping smart, etc. But that's probably about what one would spend buying new buying what IMO is the minimum aside from the cage, but really the cheapest new cages that are appropriate start at about 100ish.

 

[Little_Vixen]

Dazzle, about how much food do you go through a month? I'm planning on 3 rats if I can and since you have 5 I could easily go food/5rats = rough est. of food per your rat.

Purinpurin, $700? Holy crap. I could see it actually >.> But with a cage OK for 2 rats I nearly walked away with rats+food+cage etc for 250.. then again the boyfriend offered to pay for toys and such.

I will be keeping at least 150 in my own account for vet emergencies, but they won't be a hardship for Corbin (boyfriend) either. He has a very good job and as is we save a lot each month even when we aren't trying. Pretty cool honestly. Like rags to decent middle-class sort of thing.


What would be all the stuff you would get, at least just the basic list of stuff you'd get?

Cage
Bedding
Food
Toys --- vary-ing
Water bottles
Hidey huts

Which flea/tick meds are used? Puppy/kitty advantage right?

 

[fenshae]

I'm a cheapskate. My rats are very "green", lots of hand-me-downs for toys and such. Being cheap on their up-keep allows me to have more money for vet bills when an emergency strikes

I bought their cage used off Craigslist for $30 (it's a superpets ferret cage)
I spend, eh, maybe $25 in food a month (I have 8 boys) + another $10 or so in produce (I buy a huged mixed bag of frozen veg from Sam's). They also get my trimmings from dinner, so any time I peel something, chop the ends off something, or have extra of something, they get it. And if I'm cooking something rat-healthy I'll usually give them some - like when I make whole-grain banana muffins I'll let them all share one. Also about once a week or so they get a grain-cereal treat where I'll make a porridge of oatmeal, brown rice, and whatever other whole grains I have in the house and they get to pig out on that.

And then the 25lb bag of litter. I use Exquisicat non-scented recycled newspaper litter, it's the same as Yesterday's News except it's way cheaper, it's like $12 for the 25/lb. My boys aren't litter trained so the whole base pan is filled up. I stretch the litter by using newspaper - I lay a few sheets down on top of the litter and also on the shelves. The guys LOVE shredding it, it helps soak up some of the pee, I can change it out every other day and that way I only have to do a full litter change once or twice a week.

All of their toys and houses and such are recycled. Every time I put a hole in a piece of clothing, or it becomes too stained, it goes in the rat box for me to cut up and use for hammocks and tunnels and such. Whenever a box goes empty in the house it also goes in the box. The boys have a huge double-size cereal box in their cage for a big house, plus a plastic nestle-quick container, an oatmeal tub, and a plastic large-size candy thing from a bunch of redvines, all zip-tied to their cage wall. They've never complained about their hand-me-down toys and I don't feel bad when they chew them to pieces.

I also try to keep a well-stocked rat first-aid kit on hand, with baby ibuprofen, neosporin, epsom salt, syringes, ivermectin, and of course whatever prescription meds I can stockpile (right now I've got a big bottle of Lasix and some antibiotics). You'd be surprised how many really scary-at-the-time issues can be solved with a little know-how and the right equipment so you can save yourself a vet trip. If I'd taken the boys to the vet every time they fought rough and ended up with nasty cuts I'd be homeless >.>

Anyhoo. So I guess my monthly maintenance is around, hrm, $50 or so?

 

[MumsyRat]

Wow, some of you guys spend more on your rats than I spent on my children when they were little, and that includes daycare!

Really, love isn't measured by the amount of money you spend.

- A good used cage could be picked up off Kijiji or Craigslist for $40 - $50.
- I have store bought hidey houses (including Sputniks) and home made houses
made out of used plastic buckets. Guess which one they prefer? And they
absolutely LOVE shoe boxes!
- I buy fleece blankets from the Salvation Army or Value Village on their half
price days. Just cut them to size, fold once or twice, poke holes in the corners
and hang them with shower hooks that you can buy 12/$1 at the dollar store.
A $2 blanket will make at least 4 hammocks. I also use old fleece blankets
and shirts as shelf liners. I attach with fold back paper clips. That's a good
place to buy feeding dishes too. You can pick up all kinds of very pretty and
heavy glass bowls for less than a buck.
- Toys can also be purchased at the dollar store. My rats love their jingle balls!
The only expensive toy I buy is the wooden hanging chews (from the bird dept.)
And they're a lot cheaper in the States than here in Canada. I always buy that
stuff when I'm in Buffalo. A good wheel is expensive also but that's a one time purchase.
- Shop around and find the best deal on bedding. I buy Nepco Aspen at Ren's for $13 a bale.
A large bale in my house will last at least a month, and I have 4 big cages, not one.
(It helps that they are somewhat litter trained.)
- For treats I buy frozen peas and Cheerios, along with any fruits or veggies we happen
to have in the house. They also love large flake oatmeal and spelt.

The money you save by being frugal will help you afford a vet if the need arises.

As long as you love your rats they will love you back. They're not like todays kids who think their life will end if they don't get that new smart phone. I used to buy my daughter her designer jeans at thrift shops and she turned out OK.

You don't need flea/tick medication unless there is actually a problem. And in that event I would recommend Revolution for puppies/kittens. If you want to have it on hand you can order it on-line in advance.
http://www.pets-megastore.com.au/revolu ... 14_69.html

Haha, Fenshae posted similar advice to this while I was typing it up. But I'm gonna post it anyway!

 

[Little_Vixen]

Yea, I don't see myself actually 'spending' a lot of money on the rats for upkeep and such a month. I mean, eating healthy just means they get more treats from dinner and such. However my boyfriend is a geeky man who likes to see plans laid out with some estimates so I figured you know, that would help a bit even though he's already on my side.... I keep thinking about one of the rats I held yesterday......

Need to find a vet >.> Neeeeeeeeeeed to find a vet.

We've got a feed store a few miles down the street past his grandparents house so I could easily get most of the stuff there, bedding, maybe food, possibly a cage though they are uber expensive. That's if I can't find a good one on CL.

This input is awesome guys ^_^ I can't wait to get rats again! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[Dazzle87]

I purposely mentioned that my prices were buying new and money could be saved by buying used and all that. I could care less how much stuff cost people so long as their needs are met.

Anyway, each of my rats eats about 1 lb per rat, and by buying a 33 pound bag it only costs me about 1.50 per pound shipped.

ETA: I think for three rats you really need more than $150 in a vet fund. $150 could be easily wiped out in one vet visit for one rat, in some places that's not even a tumor removal.

 

[SQ]

Many of us do not buy any supplies from stores that sell animals as that is how they make their profit.
Pet stores believe that people support their practices and their treatment of animals or they would not shop at their store.
Items are priced different depending on where you live and where you shop.

I would suggest that you make up a list of what you need and then price items from where you would purchase them.

Start up costs:
* cage - powder coated, for 2 - 3 rats at least 6 cubic feet in size with a base of at least 30 inches by 18 inches and height for levels
* different types of hammocks - homemade or ordered from people who make them (see garage sale section), suggest at least 6
* house - plastic container, Snap-Together-Inn, etc
* food dishes, 1 or 2 water dishes, 2 or 3 small water bottles
* 12 inch diameter solid wheel
* chew toys, ediable log
* cloths for house
* 2 - 4 litter boxes - real and/or dollar store containers
* bedding ie aspen etc or blankets ie fleece from dollar store etc
* litter for litter boxes
* carrier of some type(bought or homemade) for trips to the vet
some people are fortunate enough to obtain second hand items in good condition - depends a lot on where you live
* first aid kit
* a copy of the Rat Health Care book - less then $10 (www.ratfanclub.org book section)

Suggested toys for play area:
- a few 4 inch diameter drainage pipes cut to 12 to 18 inch lengths and T-connectors (hardware store)
- fisher price barn or garage etc toys to climb on - very, very cheap at yardsales
- small cardboard box with shreded paper inside to play in , etc - free
- may want sheets of cloroplast to surround play area to create free range area

Monthly supplies:
* blocks - suggest Harlan 2014 (1 rat = 1 Ib of blocks a month on average, babies more, elderly less)
* vegs - carrots, peas, corn, broccoli, kale, etc (fresh or rozen/thawed)
* treats - ex: fruit (banana slice, etc), cheerio, cooked oatmeal, piece of boiled egg, puffed wheat piece, spoon sixed shredded wheat, etc
* chlorine and floride free water
* litter for litter boxes
* bedding, especially if using hardwood shavings
* laundry and cleaning supplies - min. cost
* occassional presents such as chew toys or a new hammock

some people suppliment diet to boost immune system of healthy rats, etc
as previously mentioned treat mites etc with revolution when they have mites or fleas.
Meds, etc at pet stores do not work with rats and may be harmful.

 

[Little_Vixen]

@Dazzle: No no no, I meant from my account for the vet fund. There is no way I'd let myself only have 150 for vet care and I'm also looking up animal insurance. He is covering vet care so long as I do all the initial buying and such and can give him a roundabout idea of how much estimated spending per month for general stuff. I don't think I was all clear on that, so I'm sorry about that.

@ SQ: That's part of why I'm asking now instead of going out and doing this. There is a feed store just down the road where I will likely be picking up most of what I'll be needing and depending on their cage prices I'm shopping Craigslist as well. The only animals they have are fish.
about cages: I'm checking the different cages I've looked at before to see if I've made any changes in preferences and all that I look for were adequate for at least 3 rats or more (using ratty corners cage calculator, love that thing). And thank you for making up that list, much appreciated. I was trying to but I keep getting paranoid I was missing something, you also answered my question on which Harlan to look for, wasn't sure which number as the last rats I had were on the stores mix (It looked to be Suebee's but honestly wasn't sure and I made my mistakes as a first time rat owner).
I also realize on not supporting a pet-selling petstore.. which is part of the reason I walked back out of PetSmart without getting those boys. It still hurts.. but I'll live

The walmart here is supposedly getting rid of their sewing department and have lots of fleece on clearance ^_^ Yay.

Hmmmm... it appears our water is run through a filter for our apartment complex (It tastes MUCH cleaner than the water at his grandparents house, 4 miles down the road) and we've also got a brita filter attached to make it cleaner. Would that be OK water to use or should I specifically look for a bottled water that says Chlorine and Floride free?

What site would you suggest looking for Harlan at?

 

[SQ]

the brita will remove chlorine - I use that too
you will need to check with your town or city to see if they add floride to the water as it is harder to remove
viewtopic.php?f=26&t=19641

There are several places that sell Harlan in the states. The US members could probably give you info on that.

 

[Little_Vixen]

Thank ya thank ya, not sure how to check that but let me tell you... the water here is disgusting without a filter.

Ugh, trying to online-price cages and it's being a pain..... a lot aren't showing me spacing

 

[purinpurin]

I think as long as you run your water through a filter like Brita, it should be okay. I know fluoride isn't exactly the greatest thing to have in water, but contrary to popular belief, it's not going to kill anyone. XD I give my pets Fiji water, only because I love that brand's taste the most. :3 Its pH levels are a little on the acidic side, but tastes so clean and fresh!

Whatever works for your budget, you go right ahead and spend it! I never said that the amount of money one uses for anyone is equal to the amount of love they hold. I simply like to splurge on my pets. Like Dazzle says, whatever amount you want to spend, as long as your pets' needs are being met, you should spend it. Doesn't matter if its $20, $50, or $100 or even more. Your choice.

 

[purinpurin]

Also, here is a vet who sees pocket pets near you: http://www.vet.utk.edu/faculty/greenacre.php

I found her through this vet-searching thingamajigger: http://www.aemv.org/vetlist.cfm

 

[Dazzle87]

I get my HT from Mainely Rat Rescue. I have found them to be the cheapest for both smallish amounts and bulk, and best of all, it helps out a rescue (and happens to be one I volunteer for, so I'm biased there, but they honestly are the cheapest for me.)

Oh ok, glad that was a misunderstanding! lol If you vet costs worked out, great.

Also, I found a list of exotic vets in your state, you can check to see which ones are a reasonable distance. It is no guarantee they are a wonderful rat vet, but to be listed in the AEMV you must receive ongoing training with exotic mammals, receive their journal with the latest on exotic mammal veterinary science, etc. So it ups your chances. In fact, I later found out my favorite vet hospital is listed there.

http://www.aemv.org/vetlist.cfm

 

[Little_Vixen]

Thankkkkkkkkkk you both! I've been looking for that site all day!

I was thinking about ordering Harlan and maybe a few other things through them anyway because 1. supporting a rescue. 2. I heard how many rats they just recently took in. I'd adopt from them but when I checked the adoptable animals, they were no where near my state

 

[PitLuvs]

Keep in mind, a good rule is 1lbs per 1 rat per 1 month

I try to keep my costs low as possible. Without vets... my start up cost was about $200. I upgraded to a double FN though which was another $315.

Monthly, I spend about:
$40 for veggies and fruit, we buy frozen.
$15 for food ($25 for food plus $25 shipping which last a few months)
$25 for bedding (I make my own hammocks and liners, new set each month and we have 50+ hammocks here)
$10 for treats
$20 for "others"

People wonder how we can afford the animals here, and it's simple. Find the cheapest SAFEST way to give them more than basic care. Flannel sheets for beds make tons of hammocks, Dollar stores rock and don't be afraid to make things for them. Buying from pet stores not only lines mill pockets, but it's also a 300% mark up price wise than if you just made it at home yourself!

 

For my crew of 10!

My double CN + Pans (Ordered From FTC) - $530

Badgers Cage - $60

Ryders Cage - $35

Food - 30LB Harlan ($60), 40LB Extrusion ($70) - lasts 6 months

Laundry Detergent - $10 per month

Baby Wipes - $4 every two weeks

Aspen Shavings - $25 per week

Veggies (including baby food/fresh and frozen) - $25 a week

Treats (Cheerios, Yogurt Drops) - $20 a month

Hammocks - You don't want to know (I am obsessed with hammocks)

Olive Oil - $10 for 3 months +

Booster - $60 for 6 months

Others - $50 - $100 per month

Brita - $10 per month

Carrier - $30

 

[PitLuvs]

Just a hint from a Mom of two in diapers, go to Wal Mart and buy the store brand wipes in the big boxes, Renee! It's 480 wipes for $10. Are you buying the containers of Huggies/Pampers? Those are 130 for $8 I wouldn't recommend any other store brand though, eww and thin.

I am very lucky that I had extra cages from ages ago and some of the rescues came with cages. And I also had other stuff left over from when I owned rats before like bowls, carriers, water bottles.

 

[Little_Vixen]

Unfortunately, due to moving across the States I have NONE of the stuff I had before... however I could probably pull it all up and go pick it up with ease... well... he could.. I don't drive atm, lol.

I just need to find a cage... but gah... I keep thinking of the one boy that was like.... crawl crawl curl up on her shoulder. I literally have scratch marks and another mark that look like a huge rat footprint from him doing that, on my chest where the cut of my top ran. Realized that today Darnit it looks kinda cool.

Thanks for all the help Now I just need to get pricing and see what I come up with for that. *nodnod* and call a few vets today since it's monday and I can call them