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Jill
RP Supporter
Tue Sep 06, 2005 2:14 am
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I recommend buying a paver stone or something of the sort from Home Depot, or a gardening store. If the bottom is flat, then you can basically ensure that it won't go tumbling off of a shelf or get pushed on top of one of the ratties. Also, I think they're more likely to perch on a flat surface than one that's hard on their feet.
My girls have a small paver brick and enjoy sitting (and peeing) on it. Their nails, while not short, are manageable.
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RKisses
Thu Sep 29, 2005 11:15 pm
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I just wanted to say thanks to all who recommended the stone. I "borrowed" one from work, a big flat garden stone, and it has worked. It has only been about a week and I dont' look like a scratching post anymore!!!  I love being able to let rattie feet run and climb all over me without crying and them feeling bad. I do have a question though. I have the rock under their water bottle so when the water goes under the rock and sits their it begins to smell and is making my cage bottom smell to the point of no return when i clean it. Any suggestions? And can you wash the smell out of the rock with anything? Thanks so much!!
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Mama's Boys Milo & Ben  |
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Ellies_girl
Wed Nov 09, 2005 3:14 am
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Maybe soak it in bleach? That works for me. Or get a new water bottle.
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Rosie
* * *
I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul  |
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Lauren
Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:45 pm
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I use baby finger nail clippers on my ratties ,if the vet isnt available(i tend to get nervous ima hurt the lil guys)
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bluebubblesbumping
Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:09 am
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Maybe soak it in bleach? That works for me. Or get a new water bottle. |
Be careful when you soak it in bleach because the ammonia from their urine will mix with the bleach and releases chlorine bleach. This causes brain damage, just be careful. Even if you don't notice it, the animals likely will. Probably best to just get a different bottle or put baking soda underneath the rock.
Sondra
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bluerattyrat
Sun Dec 11, 2005 3:07 am
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You guys should try getting one of the metal files if your rats keep trying to eat the others. They don't taste like anything but metal so rats won't chew on them... Just a thought...
-Marci
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Loving Arms Rattery (LOVE)
Home of the sweetest rats on earth!!!
http://www.freewebs.com/loving_arms_rattery/ |
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aspoor
Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:11 am
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My rats don't have a stone to climb on, but they do have a wooden arch/tunnel type thing that they love to climb on. Will this do the trick, or should I make room for a stone?
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*~* April Violets *~*
Proud new mommy to Lucky and Rufus! |
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LittleWillow
MODERATOR & RP Supporter
Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:23 am
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It's really up to you - a lot of people use stones (particularly under the water bottle so they have to stand on it to drink) but just as many don't bother - I don't, I've never found it really effective. So it's really up to you. If you've found their nails tend to get overlong, then you might want to try it, but there's no real guarantee that it will work to keep them short/blunt. If they've already got a variety of things to climb on, and no real space, then it may be worth holding off and seeing if you feel it's necessary. In the past, I've used the perches that are rough stone (the ones designed for birds) and that has some effect on their nails... but you need to ensure that it's something they have to stand on, otherwise they may just avoid it. Nowadays, I'll just resort to clipping or filing them with a nailfile if they're getting overlong (and they usually aren't).
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Andy & The Rats
 ~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~
 ~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~ |
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