Rat blog!

[ForgetfulBreeze]

So, I've thought long and hard, and I've decided to pause owning hamsters and mice, and to start a new chapter of pet owning--rats!

Although I love my mice and hamsters dearly, I have decided to get rats. This was a very hard decision for me. I have wanted rats for a while, and I finally convinced my parents to get 2 or 3 soon! (With an awesome PowerPoint lol). The request was to limit my amount of pets before I can get them.

So this will be my current (temporary) ending of hamsters and mice. I have found homes for my 'least favorite' mice, to a home that will love them. I plan to rehome dash, sadly, but only to the best home. I can wait to rehome him, so only to someone who will love him as much as I do. I am moving around my hamster cages to make room for the rats.

I plan to get the Double Critter Nation cage. It's pretty big, and I like that I can expand (tall or wide). I have been sewing hammocks like crazy just thinking about it! Super excited. Very excited.

If anyone has reccomended supplies, information, treat reccomendations, etc, let me know!!!

I will update this with all the news that I get and know! Blog essentially.

Thanks for reading!

[ForgetfulBreeze]

I'm starting first at looking at supplies.

The cage is going to be the Critter Nation cage. As stated before, I like that I can expand. I honestly need to get the cage before buying too many supplies, as I'm not sure what exactly will fit, and what I would like to put in there.

I am sewing hammocks, specifically halloween bunk beds, flats, cubes, and double decker. I love to sew, so I hope future ratties will enjoy the hammocks!

I would love to adopt, however, for my first rats I would like to go to a reputable breeder. This way I can get bonded siblings, they are young and can grow up with me. It just seems the easiest for a first time rat owner

I'm thinking probably Little Whiskers Rattery in State College PA. They have such cute rats!. Let me know if you have any recommendations or know any breeders near pittsburgh PA. We have not contacted Little Whiskers yet, however plan to soon to see what is available!

I'm super excited!

[alexandra the great]

This is so cool! I'm happy for you!

I too have asked my parents about owning rats (to which I did not have your success) XP My parents settled on letting me get a rabbit hehe.

And I don't know why, but I always told myself if I ever got rats I'd name them Gumby and Pokey

[ForgetfulBreeze]

I'm getting the cage tomorrow!

I found 4 double critter nation cages foe $300. I'm literally praying nothing is wrong with them. New, it's ~$313 for 1 double critter nation.

The only problem/difference is that they are painted neon colors lol. I've found mixed results for the safety of the paint, however I am trusting the seller that they picked the "nontoxic" version. Since they literally bought 4 double critter nations, around $1260, I am assuming they care. I WILL be sanding them down and repainting them black. I'm not against the fun colors, however, my parents are like "not in my house" or something haha.

I'm probably going to use 2 doubles, which is huge. I'm still only thinking of getting 3. I'm making hammocks like crazy! I'm thinking of getting boys, however if girls are what the breeder has/what coloration I want, I would be open for that. Or to neuter one or two to live with girls.

My sister is thinking of sugar gliders, but MUCH more research is needed. Possibly the remaining 4 tall critter nations will be used.

I'm so excited!

[ForgetfulBreeze]

After more investigation, the paint is completely safe once dried. So I have no worries. Safe for pets and babies.

Here's the ad/pic for the cages:



It looks normal and like nothing is broken, however it's only $300 for 8 units. It's around $350 for one double. Hopefully they will be in salvageable condition.

I'm going to paint them black after sanding them down!

Super excited, picking them up tomorrow morning!

[ForgetfulBreeze]

Picked them up today!! They are in decent condition! Some bent bars but no issues.

I'm surprised that all of them (disassembled) fit in our Hummer. It literally barely fit with the trunk, and 5 minutes till we were home, the car was beeping, saying the trunk was opening! We mad either home tho.

Very excited.



The lady selling them let me hold her ratties! I love rats, so cute. It really sold me on getting males--the boys that she fiesta gave me were so chill, and the girls after were much more active. I love both, but I think boys will be easier to handle for a first time-er.

Super happy!! They will need very much cleaned. Gross. Rat pee everywhere, but it's fine. Will also need sanded and repainted, but that's doable.

[hamsworth]

Aww, I'd love to have rats! I occasionally check in on Shadow the rat's ratties. I think she keeps packs of girls.

Here's a video of her current rats.


It sounds like she's had a lot of rats, so definitely look around at her stuff.

Training videos.


I'm not saying buy all her stuff but maybe something looks useful.

Training kits.

Training book.


Have you found good homes for your current hammies and mice or are you going to gradually get rats as your little ones grow older?

You've had so many hammies and mice! You'll learn about rats quickly. Sugar gliders do sound advanced. I'd love a chinchilla, tortoise, or turtle. Or an axolotl, but they're so exotic. XD

[ForgetfulBreeze]

Have you found good homes for your current hammies and mice or are you going to gradually get rats as your little ones grow older?

You've had so many hammies and mice! You'll learn about rats quickly. Sugar gliders do sound advanced. I'd love a chinchilla, tortoise, or turtle. Or an axolotl, but they're so exotic. XD

I have found a good home for most of my mice, and I decided to keep 5. I really wanted to keep Windy, however I decided to rehome her with her mom and sister.

For the hammies, I am going to keep them until they pass away, and then not get any more.

I hope to learn about rats quickly!! I think I will. They don't seem crazy crazy difficult. Sugar gliders seem extreme, but that's what my sister is looking into lol.

[hamsworth]

Aw, they're so lucky to have you! All the little ones.