Oxbow finally here/Matilda Feeling Better

[Aida]

So, first the more important one!

As most of you probably know, Matilda has a respiratory infection. It wasn't that bad, but she was sneezing and sniffling, and generally sleeping all day long. She's been on baytril since last friday, and on doxy. since tuesday. I'm suprised how fast the doxy. worked. She's already a lot more active today, running around, etc. She also isn't sneezing as much, but I may have just gotten used to it and not noticed. Anyways, it's one more week of meds, an it seems like she should be perfect by then. If I have some left over(they came as liquid, in tiny plastic and glass bottles that have to be refrigirated), should I keep it? How long before it goes bad?

Secondly, my Oxbow Regal Rat came in the mail today! I'm happy for three reasons:
A) New Rat Stuff!!!!!
B) FINALLY A BETTER DIET! UGH! (I've been feeling pretty guilty for feeding her total crap)
C) Big, cardboard box to fill with tissues, rags, and treats. OwO
D) Bubble. Wrap. :heart: :dance: :heart:

Of course, I ate a few pieces(tiny triangles) to see if it seems like something edible. It does, and I'm happy to say that it tastes exactly like the main ingridients: rice, oats, wheat, and soymeal. ^^
However, I poured a handful of it in Matilda's food bowl(covering some of her old food in it), and the first thing she did is moved ALL of it down into her bottom pan, witch she uses as a litter-pan and throws all of her seed-shells in(she's a very organized, clean rat). So I guess she labeled it as garbage. :laugh4: :emb:

Also, I got 2, 3 pound bags. I've opened one. How long can it sit without getting bad?
Also, do I have to freeze the second one? I mean, it's still closed.

Thanks, guys! owo

 

[jorats]

Oxbow keeps for a long time. Once open make sure to keep it sealed after each use and it should be good for a few weeks. Some rats will use the litter pan to hide their good food. Many wild animals will even pee and poop where they eat so they can hide it.
I'm glad your rat is feeling much better.

 

[TheHermit]

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Oxbow keeps for a long time. Once open make sure to keep it sealed after each use and it should be good for a few weeks. Some rats will use the litter pan to hide their good food. Many wild animals will even pee and poop where they eat so they can hide it.
I'm glad your rat is feeling much better.

Yeah Lilly prefers to just take everything one piece at a time and eat in her litter pan like it's the dinner table.

I read somewhere today that... uh, something (Harlan, I think, so basically the same but forgive my ignorance if not) can sit 6 months unopened. Good to hear that she's recovering well always good to see them bounce back, even a bit!

edited cause i repeated something >.<

 

[Aida]

Oxbow keeps for a long time. Once open make sure to keep it sealed after each use and it should be good for a few weeks. Some rats will use the litter pan to hide their good food. Many wild animals will even pee and poop where they eat so they can hide it.
I'm glad your rat is feeling much better.

Belgh... that's kind of.... blegh! :sick2:

Me too! I was really getting paranoid over everything, but it's looking sunny, now. :wink2:

Also, could you specify "few weeks"?

 

[Aida]

.

Oxbow keeps for a long time. Once open make sure to keep it sealed after each use and it should be good for a few weeks. Some rats will use the litter pan to hide their good food. Many wild animals will even pee and poop where they eat so they can hide it.
I'm glad your rat is feeling much better.

Yeah Lilly prefers to just take everything one piece at a time and eat in her litter pan like it's the dinner table.

I read somewhere today that... uh, something (Harlan, I think, so basically the same but forgive my ignorance if not) can sit 6 months unopened. Good to hear that she's recovering well always good to see them bounce back, even a bit!

edited cause i repeated something >.<

Hmm.. 6 months? That's a lot! Good. She should be finished with it by then.

What about with the one I haven't opened yet?

 

[jorats]

Check on the bag, with Oxbow, they have an expiry date. That will give you an idea exactly how long it's good for an unopened bag
An opened bag, I'd say 2 or 3 weeks. What I do with mine is I keep it in the freezer and give it to my rats right from the freezer.
As for Harlan, an unopened bag is good for 6 months after their milling date, so not necessarily 6 months after you buy it.

 

[Aida]

Check on the bag, with Oxbow, they have an expiry date. That will give you an idea exactly how long it's good for an unopened bag
An opened bag, I'd say 2 or 3 weeks. What I do with mine is I keep it in the freezer and give it to my rats right from the freezer.
As for Harlan, an unopened bag is good for 6 months after their milling date, so not necessarily 6 months after you buy it.

Hmm... So just give it to her all cold? Won't it get soggy and wet as it defrosts?

 

[Dazzle87]

Check on the bag, with Oxbow, they have an expiry date. That will give you an idea exactly how long it's good for an unopened bag
An opened bag, I'd say 2 or 3 weeks. What I do with mine is I keep it in the freezer and give it to my rats right from the freezer.
As for Harlan, an unopened bag is good for 6 months after their milling date, so not necessarily 6 months after you buy it.

Hmm... So just give it to her all cold? Won't it get soggy and wet as it defrosts?

I take food out the day before I need a new bag and let it sit out. It doesn't get soggy as it defrosts, no, as long as you put it in an airtight container (I just use freezer ziplock bags).