RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Thu Nov 24, 2005 2:38 am

Well, we have been happy having just one cage for a few weeks. Since we gave our only boy to Celynny, life has been good for us. Its easy for me to clean up the girls daily. We have two females, and I have been considering getting a third because of the fact that Butterfly is old, and blueberry will need a friend.

Well we ended up getting her a friend, its funny actually. I went to this petstore just to check out other things, and saw my rat, Blueberry, in the feeder bin! I stood there in shock for a moment, before realising I had found my rats twin. Well, imagine being in a store and seeing YOUR rat and knowing it was going to be eaten! I..couldent leave her there. I couldent! So blueberry has a sister, Raspberry. Sadly, Raspberry had just one other rat in the whole store with her, and she started crying when I picked up raspberry. I soon realised her friend was alone, and doomed, because she stood no chance. The next person to come in and buy a rat for feeder, would only have her as an option. Shes just a pew..nothing special, but when I put my hand back into the tank, she ran over licking me. She was begging, she understood atleast that she was alone, I had taken her friend, and please, please help. It broke my heart. I brought both of them home, and Im not sorry. Having three girls will not be much more different than having two (given that butterfly will pass away in the near future, sadly. Having four for a few months doesnt bother me either.)

But most of you have seen my other post, and have seen that my cage is a little small. Ive been looking on MArtinscages, and trying to pick a newer, bigger one. But my space is only so large, I cant and dont want to do another ruud like I did years ago, lol.

Anyway, I dont like any of the rat cages. I want powder coated bars, Ive learned my lesson with galvanized! And I also want a pull out tray.

The cage I found was under the feret section : F-435 . This one seems perfect for me..the only thing I dont like is the carpet landing. I know that will be ruined in no time. Im a big fan of laying tile down in the cages (like normal kitchen flooring), but I figured when that peice of carpet got gross, I would just yank it out of there and put tile down.

Does this cage seem like a good idea for three female rats? I think/hope its big enough, and I am a major toy freak, I will have that thing jammed packed with tubes, houses, hammocks, perches, and fun ropes/blocks to chew on.

And its only like..117 dollars with shipping! I can def. afford that. What do you all think about this cage? Do a lot of people get the ferrit cages for rats, and are there any reasons someone wouldent?

Let me know your opinions, it will help me make a decision

Thu Nov 24, 2005 3:51 am

Have a look on eBay in their pet section, there are some great cages there for very decent prices. PS Very sad but happy story, spesh about her running over the licking your hand. I wish I could go to every pet store and buy all the rats destined for Feeding Sad

Thu Nov 24, 2005 4:16 am

The rat cages are available in powder-coated. And Martin's will customize cages for you (no carpet, pull-out instead of drop-in, powder- or vinyl-coating, etc). Just e-mail them to ask for a certain cage with modifications. Check the stickies in this forum for bar spacing and a cage calculator as well.

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Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Thu Nov 24, 2005 5:40 am

The cage calculator says it will comforably hold 5 rats, so I think it should be okay. How big are the girls? I think Martins Ferrit cages have a bar spacing of 1"x1", so if they are really little you would have to keep them in the other cage for a little while.

That was so sweet of you to rescue the 2 ratties

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Rosie

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I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:21 am

Yeah, thats a good point about the bar spacing and it made me think for a moment, but I went and checked my cage just now with a ruler, and its the same spacing. Its called a Wabbitat, made for rabbits, so I guess thats why the bars are spaced so widely. Anyway, no escaping has taken place, so I think it would be good to go.

I had said earlier how the PEW was just sort of plain jane and I took her out of pity, but it turns out she has stole my livein boyfriends heart. I came home with the defence of "Im sorry, I only bought one rat..and I got another one but Ill find her a home, I promise!" because I KNEW he was ADAMENT about only having two rats. But apparantly those ruby eyes have charmed him, and although she spazzes when I pick her up, she sits and chatters on his lap letting him rub her cheeks and forhead happily. So I guess we will have three rats

Hes named her Cranberry, lol!

Blueberry, Raspberry, and Cranberry. (And dont forget old Butterfly.)

Speaking of Raspberry, sheesh, she is acting much differently than she did in the store. She is VERY stressed, and VERY frightened, and she will def. be a project rat for me, to get her to trust me. She bites lightly..warning nips, not really angry biting. Just basically "look, Im scared, I dont know where I am, and I dont know YOU..back off.." so Ill give her time and slowly play with her and offer her tons of treats.

So it worked out for the best..and I think ill get this ferret cage. I like the size and the height, I like the tray and the black powder coating, and I like that its afforadble for me. So Ill take lots of pictures when I get it and move all the ratties over

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Megan and the Hyper Hoppers. Blueberry and Butterfly, Naked Evee, and Chii.

Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:29 am

It looks like a nice cage, and I bet they love it when it has all the toys!

Good luck socializing Rasberry

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Rosie

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I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:31 am

They all have such cute names!!

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EMILY-------------------------------------------------

Rest in peace, Violet and Isadora. <3