The Quick Question Thread

[SterlingRats0408]

What parts...if any...of a pineapple can rats have?

 

[Joanne]

I have tried just the fruit part, but it is not very popular, perhaps a bit too acidic? So I don't bother any more.

 

[Deer]

My rats are confusing me so much. They love coming to see me , and I even get face licks all the time. But they're still so scared of my hands they run away when I try to pet them or pick them up.
I try the down-the-shirt thing a few times a week and I give them treats out of my hands several times a day. I have so tried putting honey and other things in the middle of my pal or wrist so they have to walk on my hands to eat. They have no problem licking my fingers or nibbling my nails. Everything is great except the hand issue, aside from wanting to be able to give them cuddles and stuff, it makes cleaning the cage a traumatic experience for everyone. help?

 

[Sheldon]

Hopefully someone will have some good advice from you. All I can tell you is that I have one just like that. Crawls all over me but won't be picked up.

 

[trihkal]

Deer how long have you had these rats?

 

[Deer]

Deer how long have you had these rats?

May & July.

 

[jorats]

Some rats are just generally scared of hands or other fast moving objects. I have two girls like that. But eventually, some become less scared. For me, I accept them for who they are and I don't try to change it but there are trust training methods you could try. There are a lot of good suggestions here:http://www.joinrats.com

 

[trihkal]

Yeah I think my Nisa will always be fearful of hands. She's really sweet so I just accept that she's a bit of a scaredy rat. That's a great link Jo. Food, love and patience can bring most ratties around with time.

 

[ziraous]

I am curious. What specs do I need for 3 full grown male rats? Maddox is full grown, Zer0 is almost full grown and Ridi still had a few months. I wanna get them a bigger cage. The current cage size is 28' L x 17.5w x 31.5h they all get 12 hours outside of their cage currently. It's mostly used during the day for eating, drinking, and their litter box. I'm getting a job soon and they'll be cut to 6 or 8 hour outside of the cage.

 

[SterlingRats0408]

Technically that cage is suitable for up to 4 rats according to the ratty corner cage calculator. I usually subtract 1 rat from that equation when talking about big hunky boys. But its enough

 

[ziraous]

Oh, really? It doesn't seems it to me..huh.. where do you find this ratty cage calculator? For future reference. Maybe I just need to get more hides and stuff. They all seem to want the igloo though...Maddox chews the cubes right out. Maybe I'll try a tent like one instead...

 

[SterlingRats0408]

This is the cage calculator that was suggested to me.
http://www.rattycorner.com/odds/calc.shtml

 

[ziraous]

Oh thanks so much!

 

[jorats]

I am curious. What specs do I need for 3 full grown male rats? Maddox is full grown, Zer0 is almost full grown and Ridi still had a few months. I wanna get them a bigger cage. The current cage size is 28' L x 17.5w x 31.5h they all get 12 hours outside of their cage currently. It's mostly used during the day for eating, drinking, and their litter box. I'm getting a job soon and they'll be cut to 6 or 8 hour outside of the cage.

Sounds like a good cage for 3 boys.

 

[ziraous]

Okay. Tyvm.

 

[alienpmk]

can breathing problems in rats only be transferred to other rats through aerosol inhalation? If two rats in one room have breathing problems, is there anyway two rats in another room can get it?

 

[jorats]

It depends on the illness. If it's myco, I've never found it to be easily contagious at all unless the rat's immune system was compromised. But if it's something that is easily transmitted through air, then a different room won't prevent it.

 

[Sheldon]

Is the vibrating tip of the tail always due to aggression or can it sometimes be in response to fear?

 

[Joanne]

Is the vibrating tip of the tail always due to aggression or can it sometimes be in response to fear?

I think it can be in response to any strong emotion, be it fear, aggression, excitement, pleasure...

 

[ziraous]

Okay, so I gave my rats a bath today, and I am cutting back on their protein, their akin is too greasy and they're starting to get little scabs on my hairless. With that said, my hairless and half hairless rats were fine...when I got to my haired rat Zer0, I noticed something. I was washing his fur and little red dots were visible. Not moving just there. After I was done I looked him over and didn't find any. Is this because of the protein? I've already given all 3 a dose of the horse dewormer stuff. or do you think it's mites? I've not seen this on any rats before.