Keeping rats warm in winter - Advice needed

[Little_Vixen]

It's been quite a long time since I've been on this forum or talked to anyone, but I need some help.
My best friend in WA has two rats, she's the one who got me into rats in the first place.
Well, her stepdad was laid off and due to this they'll be shutting off the heat I believe around the 16th of this month. WA is cold in winter, especially with no heat in a house so she's worried about her rats. I live in TN and she asked me to take them if I could as a backup plan, this would require a lot of fast thinking and money but we'd be willing to do it if we can.

If you all could give me any ideas on helping the rats keep warm? She'll do anything she has to to keep them safe, but she doesn't want to lose them if she has an alternative or a way to successfully keep them warm for the winter. There isn't anyone close by that she can let foster the rats either, or else that would be an option.

Please help, I haven't had rats in over a year and I don't know what else I can do but to ask you all for help on this sort of thing =(

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I'm assuming an electric heater is out of the question and there isn't a wood burning stove or anything in the house?

edit: I definitely misread your post so ignore me.

 

[StaceyM]

Terrible. Are they allowed to shut electricty off in the winter? I'm pretty sure they can't here.

The only thing I can think of would be to use a hot water bottle, and lots of fleece in the cage to snuggle in.

 

[henry's_mum]

oh boy....
lots of blankets, a long lasting heat source made for small pets, (what the heck is the name of them??? i've got a few, UGH)
keep them on the highest level of the house (heat rises) weatherstripping doors and windows to keep drafts out, and to stop cold air from sneeking in.
let me think a bit more on this, i'll get back to you, but mention those ones for now!

 

[Sharlees rattakisses]

I bought a small animal heating pad.
BEST thing I ever bought. :joy:
Stays warm and makes them toasty without fear of over heating.
I had my heat cut off during winter when I was a teenager in the '80's.
NOT a fun thing.
Nor should it EVER happen!!! :rant:

 

[Little_Vixen]

Thank you all so much for the advice already. I'll link her this so she can read it over and maybe find something helpful. I posted on goosemoose about this nearly 3 hours ago and no ones answered. I feel like I can always count on the Rat Shack ^_^

And trust me... it's legal. I moved to TN and we had a hellish winter last year and we had no central heat or air... talk about blankies blankies blankies.

 

[SQ]

If they have electricity and a microwave, then a well wrapped snuggle safe in the cage that the ratties can get closer to or move away from.

Won't the pipes freeze if the heat is shut off?
After a man froze to death one winter in his home, they are not allowed to turn off the heat in NB during the winter months.

 

[handmeafish]

There is an assistance program in Washington State that might help.
http://www.liheapwa.org/

Good luck

 

[Sharlees rattakisses]

Layering when there is no heat is the key. :thumbup:
Putting the ratties in your sleeves for awhile would be great too. :heart:

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I think if it does come to having the heat shut off for any serious amount of time then those rats will need to get out of there, I know that's not optimal so I hope something else can be figured out. She's lucky to have you as a back up.

 

I would really get them out if it's going to be shut off more than a few days.

But, she could always put them in a smaller cage, so they are closer to each other.
Wrap the cage in blankets.
Put lots of fleece and shredded paper in their

 

[puffnstuff]

Terrible. Are they allowed to shut electricty off in the winter? I'm pretty sure they can't here.

That's what my first thought was, too. Are they shutting off the power, or just the heat? I'm assuming they will still have power.

Ok, nevermind the rats....what are the PEOPLE in the house going to do to survive the winter? They can't possibly get through the whole winter without any heat! And as somebody already mentioned, the pipes will likely freeze, and then not only will you have no heat, but no water, not to mention the structural damage that frozen (and ultimately burst) pipes will cause. If they are planning on staying in the house, they will need to section off a smaller portion to live in, and keep it warm via a fireplace or a portable electric heater. They should keep the rats in the sectioned area or room that is being heated. Add lots of cut-up blankies in the cage, and the rats will make a cozy nest and snuggle together to keep warm. But realistically, the rats should be moved to a foster home temporarily.

That being said, even heating a sealed off area of the house can pose serious danger. If using a fireplace, of course keeping a fire going 24/7 can risk burning the place down, and toxic gases may build up in the room if it doesn't have proper air flow. Any small portable heater may also be a safety risk. And never use a propane burner indoors, or any other type of device that burns fuel, because that will emit carbon monoxide which will kill everybody.

Seriously, they need to speak to somebody regarding their situation. If shutting off the heat is perfectly legal, then I'd be looking for a relative/friend to stay with until I get my affairs in order.

 

[simmysyn]

The breaker that controls the heat is getting shut off, so they will still have power. They are not worried about the pipes freezing because they are having a "mild" winter this year and it's not supposed to fall below freezing while the heat is shut off. Their fireplace is for decorative purposes only and her mom complains that a portable electric heater costs just as much to use as the heating they already have. She is looking for a job and currently petsits for a neighbor but she doesn't make a lot of money. She says she's looking into the small animal heating pads but a lot of them are out of her price range. Normally I'd take the rats for her for a while (since we live close) but I'm in the process of moving in with my boyfriend's family (my own home situation sucks as much as hers does) and their landlord has been very clear on the whole NO PETS ALLOWED thing.