The Quick Question Thread

[Velo]

My dad finally brought me a baby gate and I did something very similar with the corroplast. Mine wasn't attached as neatly because I'm not as handy. :lol:
I'll take picture tonight. It seems to be effective?
I think that door is leaning slightly or maybe the gate is wonky. I wish it fit better like yours, dspch. It's just got like "graded" opening levels so it can't fit as exactly as that style. @_@;

I figure there's not much chance they can wiggle under my cardboard blocker to the area with the fan cord, I mean if people use those corroplast playpens and they can't get under those, the same logic applies, I would think? Obviously they could chew threw but I'll keep an eye on it.

I gotta get some of those plug outlet baby cover upper things. XD
and I should probably protect the cords too.
I think I read if you wrap them in duck tape they don't want to chew it cause it's sticky? Or is that a load of crap? XD

 

[Zephye]

Why does a rat like press itself against a wall rapidly? As if walking into a wall.

 

[Sheldon]

Are you talking about pressing its head into the wall? If so, it is a sign of severe or chronic pain.

 

[Zephye]

No, just the side of his body from what I can tell. It's like he quickly runs in place with his flank to whichever wall/corner he finds.

 

[Sheldon]

Do you think he could be itchy? Like fish rub against rocks when they have ich?

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

 

[Zephye]

I don't think so, he does this any time he's out on the floor. He also does this when he's in his cage.

 

[Sheldon]

Sounds like he is just flank marking the walls then. Like they do when they rub their paws on stuff they deem theirs. They have glands in their flanks.

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk 2

 

[Zephye]

I was thinking this too, it just he seems so fearful when he does this :c I'm really hoping it's just him marking his territory.

 

[Deer]

My rats have been antisocial ever since I moved them into the critter nation. They had surgery about a week ago, then they spent a couple days separate in smaller cages (where they seemed fine and active! ) before I moved them into the CN. Now they spend most of their time curled up together under a blanket. They will come over to sniff me and lick/eat food from my hand, but if I pet them, try to pick them up, or even breath too quickly they run away and hide. I'm worried they associate me with going to the vet and don't like me anymore. Before I used to be able to at least get them cuddling or exploring the couch, and now I can't get them to leave the cage. Help?

 

[Joanne]

As long as they are recovering from their surgery and not still in pain, I would do forced socialization. Loose shirt over a tighter shirt and then down the shirt for an hour or so every day while you are watching TV or on the computer. Be prepared to be peed on, and wear shirts that don't matter if they get chewed.

 

[Deer]

As long as they are recovering from their surgery and not still in pain, I would do forced socialization. Loose shirt over a tighter shirt and then down the shirt for an hour or so every day while you are watching TV or on the computer. Be prepared to be peed on, and wear shirts that don't matter if they get chewed.

Thanks, I'm going to try this now while I answer emails and stuff.

Edit: not been pooed on yet. He seemed to warm right up after about a minute!

 

[Deer]

Here's an actual quick question, when will my rats figure put what hammocks and wheels are for ? Is it normal for them not to be interested?

 

[alienpmk]

I didn't have clips when I first got my hammock, so it was on the floor of the cage and got dragged into where they sleep as bedding. This meant when I hung it up, it smelled like them and they wanted to lie in it. Maybe try having it around not hung up for them to cuddle in?

Also thanks to this thread, I got my girls using a wheel by making one of them follow a cheerio around the wheel a little bit. She learned to run on it, and then taught her sister.

 

[jorats]

Here's an actual quick question, when will my rats figure put what hammocks and wheels are for ? Is it normal for them not to be interested?

It can take some time but they usually do. Some rats though never like the wheel.

 

[Deer]

Would a 6.5" or 12" silent spinner be better for rats? I was thinking they might like it better than their flying saucer.

 

[alienpmk]

12 inch, any smaller is too small. I wanted to get mine a flying saucer, do yours not like it?

 

[Sheldon]

Mine never liked theirs. I leave it out during free-range time now all the time and they NEVER use it. They love their "Wodent Wheel" and their "Silent Spinner." They probably prefer the former but they use both.

 

[Deer]

My two just ignore the flying saucer, even after I put peanut butter on it. They just re position the wheel with their front paws to get the treat and won't climb on. They might not know what it is though :/

 

[Zephye]

Only one of my rats ever liked the wheel to actually using it for running instead of a sleep/poop area. I heard most rats just don't enjoy the wheel.

 

[KingCastaway]

Rats likely do not enjoy wheels because they are intelligent enough to realize they aren't going anywhere haha. It doesn't provide the mental stimuli it might provide a mouse or hamster. They much prefer to run in a large open area, where they can sniff and explore!