RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Sun Nov 09, 2003 8:13 pm

I have just been back to visit the garden center where I rescued Thelma and Louise from as I heard they were allowed to reopen.
I went in and was quite pleased to see that all their animals are now in clean spacious tanks, all with water and food and all looked quite well groomed etc. When I got to the rats tank I found that they were not on sawdust (they were before and very poorly) but when I asked what the cat litter was the shop keeper said it was from the yellow bag sold in the shop. I had a look and they are on some sort of pine fresh litter which said "made from vaious natural woods and quick dried to keep its pine fresh smell" Does this mean it's pine or just scented with pine fragrance?
I told them I thought it contained pine and they said they weren't aware that pine was bad for them. I was so near to taking all of the babies home (although I stopped myself because I have no extra cage. ) What do I do? I can't force them to change their bedding can I? My boyfriend also pointed out that even if we did take the babies home, the pet shop would just buy more and put them in he same litter. I can't stop thinking about them

Sorry for the long post I just don't know what to do for the best.

Sun Nov 09, 2003 8:26 pm

get the RSPCA and the council onto it. any pine=bad IMHO.

good luck!

_________________
"When caught between two evils I generally pick the one I've never tried before"- Mae West

Sun Nov 09, 2003 10:01 pm

Thanks Steph. I don't want to get them into trouble though. It's kinda difficult, the animals are not mistreated or anything, they all look in good shape. The reason why they closed down is becuse the cages were really old and someone complained. Wyevale, the owners of the garden center ordered an immediate refit and for all the animals to be giiven to good home during that time (hence I ended up with the terrible two) I really don't think they know they are doing anything wrong. I think I might try to email wyevale before I start calling the authorities. Can anyone recommend some different litters that are relatively cheap that I can suggest to them? I use biocatolet because it smells nice but I think they would think it would be too expensive. Are there cheaper alternitives?

Sun Nov 09, 2003 10:20 pm

I dont have any suggestions for alternative bedding but I know I have read before that pine is bad for ratties. I use carefresh myself but can anyone tell me exactly why pine is bad for rats?

I would also email or just have a talk with him and see if he is willing to try different things before calling the authorities.

Sun Nov 09, 2003 10:25 pm

I can't find their email address online or written anywhere, I will call them tommorrow though. I think the person I spoke to today was just a sunday worker. I am hoping that the week day staff are a bit more on the ball than this one was. I do know that they do not sell animals on Sundays so maybe they don't have the proper pet store staff on and the sunday people just know how to work the till!!!

Sun Nov 09, 2003 10:43 pm

Rabbit pellets are cheap and good bedding for ratties.. try telling them to use those.

Sun Nov 09, 2003 10:43 pm

i use easybed which is card board horse bedding- loads of breeders sell it. a massive bale costs £6.50. you can get it here from alison:

www.shunamiterats.co.uk

_________________
"When caught between two evils I generally pick the one I've never tried before"- Mae West

Sun Nov 09, 2003 10:50 pm

Thanks that would also be very helpful to me, we get through loads of bedding and Biocatolet is very expensive. I will suggest these brands to them

Sun Nov 09, 2003 11:54 pm

Good luck Ratz! I think a lot of these problems arise from ignorance rather than wilful neglect, especially as conditions seem to be good otherwise. It doesn't help that these products are often marketed as being good for rodents.

_________________
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.

Mon Nov 10, 2003 12:04 am

I have not found any cat litter packaging very helpful. I think they would have more infomation on them if they knew how many rat owners bought them, I guess it doesn't matter so much if it's just for cats to um... use!!!!