Potential Hazards List

[violet976]

Many of us, myself included, have lost a furry loved one due to a simple misjudgement of a toy, a cage accessory, or another potential danger that we simply failed to see. To date, I have not seen a compiled list of potential dangers & hazards, & feel that it is too valuable a resource to overlook. While many of us have gained this knowledge through other forum members tragic experiences, far more rat owners are simply not aware that many of these items pose a threat to their little ones. That being said, I have begun to compile a list & have created a webpage to gather all of this information in one location. Please feel free to share other concerns with me that I most certainly have overlooked, and also use this information in any way that you see fit. Link it to your own website, copy any/all of it for your own use, share it in any way that you can. If this information prevents even one small animal death or injury, it will help ease my heart over the loss of sweet Tajo. :heart:

http://careforcritters.webs.com/

 

[Fidget]

That's a great idea violet! And a wonderful way to honor your Tajo. I'm so sorry for whatever happened. It's only luck I haven't lost any to a hazard, it will be because of you that some others don't. I checked & bookmarked your site, if I think of any in future I'll sure pass them on.. (maybe you could post a link to the list in the Reference Guide section?)

 

[violet976]

Fidget: Thanks so much, it really means a lot. My baby boy Tajo suffocated to death in a toy I bought him for Christmas. It was a round vase with one rat sized opening, & I had put fleece inside to make it more snuggly. As it turns out, it rolled over with him inside & in his attempt to get out the fleece managed to jam itself into the hole, leaving him trapped with no air. It's a horrible lesson I'll never forget, & I'm now very conscious of cutting extra airholes on all sides of toys/hideouts, as well as securing items to the cage that they might get trapped inside. Since then, I'm very active about warning others of those dangers, as well as sharing Tajo's story so that someone else's rat does not suffer the same fate.

As for linking the webpage to the Reference Guide section, that's up to the mods. But, thanks for pointing it out to me because somehow I totally missed that section & it really is a fantastic resource. I'll be linking that section to my webpage later today! :thumbup:

 

[Fidget]

We question ourselves no matter what we lose them to, if it's other than their own health is has to be extra painful and my heart so goes out to you. Hugest Hugs. Thankyou for doing this for all our babes.

I put something in your guestbook there.

 

[Godmother]

Violet, this is a great way to make something positive come from a tragedy. There are so many things to be mindful of.

I have heard of a rat getting strangled in a metal shower hook that was hanging needlessly in a cage.

 

[jorats]

This is an excellent idea. I will definitely add your link to the Reference Section.

 

[violet976]

Fidget: Great one there that I never thought of, & thanks for including the link to the hazardous toy list. Both have been added to the webpage list.

Godmother: Another one that every rat owner needs to consider. Also added to the list.

Jorats: Thanks so much, it means a lot to me. I was also floored by what a tremendous wealth of information is so nicely compiled in your Reference Guide section. I will be adding that to the links page of both websites shortly. :thumbup:

Keep em coming everyone. :heart:

 

[xxchelle]

This is a great idea! Please feel free to use Clodhopper's story/pictures anywhere on that website His story had a happy ending, but not all do, as you know unfortunately all too well.

Links:
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=16282
http://critterhaven.weebly.com/1/post/2 ... ation.html

 

[jorats]

Here's one... I've head of a few of this, stepping or sitting on rats resulting in death.
As well falls from high places.

 

[Rachael]

Here's one... I've head of a few of this, stepping or sitting on rats resulting in death.
As well falls from high places.

I remember a horrible thread on GM and the member stood on her rat, resulting in death. :sad3:

 

[SQ]

Rat balls
- Dangerous to put rats in as poor ventilation so rats overheat and die (instead people take the end off, put in cloth, and hang them inside the cage to be used as hammocks.
- If the slits in the sides are not a uniform width but become more narrow, then toes, etc can get caught in them causing injury.