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Laura
Tue May 27, 2003 3:24 am
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 One cage or two? |
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Hello everyone, I've been lurking here for a while but never posted before. So I'm new here!
I'm getting a couple of rescue rats soon, some very friendly neutered boys apparently. I'm new to rats but I've done hours of research about them and am very much looking forward to getting them! I've got the cage ready and waiting (terenziani michaelangelo - I don't dare attempt making one just yet and apparently these are good?), sought out a good rat mix, ideal bedding, an assortment of toys, and so on...
But the thing is, is one cage enough? I have limited, limited space. It was an effort to clear enough for one cage. Yet I keep thinking, what if I lose one of them and need to introduce another to prevent one sad rat? I am well aware I cannot just dump them in the same cage and expect them to get along. I know its negative thinking (before I even have them) but its also inevitable, isn't it?
What about if I got 2 young girls, for example? Would they be so much of a "threat" especially considering both prospective boys are neutered? Boys and girls don't fight do they? Could they go straight in?
So my main question is: will I eventually need another cage, because the only other container I have at the moment is a small travel container for when collect the boys or take them to the vet?
Sorry this was so long. I'm a worrier!
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BaxCosEmm
Tue May 27, 2003 5:33 am
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If the boys were living together before you adopted them they should be fine. I have two (unneutered) males living together for over a year now and in that time I've only seen them fight once. It was very short and no body got hurt. I also wouldn't consider losing a rat inevitale (unless by losing you mean one passes away) and I wouldn't worry about having to introduce any one new until the situation arises. You never know what might happen before then. A neutered male and a female should get along fine together. In most cases a female will automatically submit to a male, but there's always exceptions. So relax, do some more research, you can never know too much, and prepare for your new arrivals.
_________________
Megan
-Baxter, Cosmo, Emma and Dandin- |
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Isla
Tue May 27, 2003 12:28 pm
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Hi Laura
Welcome to Rat Palace!
Sounds like you have got everything sorted for your new boys arriving. I wouldn't worry too much about getting another cage at the moment. The Terenziani michelangelo is a really good cage (my 3 girls live in one  )
If the situation did arise where you needed a spare cage in a hurry an idea might be to use the wire base (the one that is meant to go on the very bottom of the cage-you don't need it usually) to put in place of the middle shelf, effectively splitting the cage into two smaller cages. You could cover the wire with some cardboard or lino or something to prevent ratty toes getting bitten through the wire. This would be fine as a temporary measure until you had carried out intros properly and all your rats were ready to live together again.
I have a smallish plastic hamster tank (mini duna) that i actually use as a travel tank but I have also used it as a hospital tank for sick ratties or those recovering from an operation. Its not very big but it does the job for a few days especially in those circumstances as you probably want to restrict their activity a bit if they are sick or recovering post-op.
I hope this gives you a few ideas. Be sure to let us know all about your boys when you get them and post pics if you can. We all love pics of cute ratties on here
And don't worry about asking questions, there's almost always someone on here with the answers.
_________________
Isla
Beanie & Meg
RIP Marmite, Treacle, Pepper & Pickles (we all miss you) |
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Laura
Tue May 27, 2003 3:00 pm
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Thank you!
By "losing" I am of course using the euphemism for one of them dying, which I realise needs thinking about. The idea with the wire floor (which was about to be consigned to my cupboard under the stairs anc forgotten about!) is really good, I hadn't thought about that! Good idea.
I have a digital camera so I will of course post pictures of the boys as soon as I have them (I'm waiting af fortnight until my final uni coursework is over and I have moved back into my family home. I have no idea if they have names or not. They are 1 yr which is quite long to go without a name if they don't! I'll also need to persuade my family round to the idea of having wires trailing up the stairs etc so I can connect my PC to the internet in my room, but I'll manage that!
Thank you both!
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Malvolio, Amelie and Rufus |
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Linda
RP Supporter
Tue May 27, 2003 3:46 pm
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Congratulations on your new rats
I wouldn't worry about the possibility of needing a new cage just yet. Although it does usually take a little while to introduce a newcomer, even girls to a neutered boy, the need might not arise. Hopefully both your boys will live good long lives, and if one dies when the they are both very old, the one left behind may also be too old or frail to take readily to a new friend. If not, well you can always make the decision to get another cage if the need arises, or when you fall prey to the disease of GGMR and decide to increase your rat family.
Looking forward to seeing pics of your rescue boys when you get them.
_________________
Linda and the RMDs
Many have forgotten this truth but you must not forget it. We remain responsible forever, for what we have tamed.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery. |
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