RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:43 pm

this is my first winter with my ratbags and i was just wondering to what extent i need to alter the cage design for warmth? i'm in the uk so it's not gonna get that cold, but i'm pretty stingy with the heating! its been cold this week so i put in extra bits of jumper and an old scarf. will this be enough and how can i tell if they are cold? Confused

Thu Nov 24, 2005 4:36 am

I'm sure with extra bedding materials and each other to snuggle into they will be fine. Just keep them away from drafts as always, and if it gets quite cold at night, pop a towel or blanket over their cage. They should be fine though

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*~*~*~*~*~Hayley & her vermin friends~*~*~*~*~*

Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:37 am

I recently had a BAD experience with cold rats, in a room that was around 60 degrees Ferenhite. Make sure to give them lots of bedding, and try to turn up the heat as much as you can (I know it can get expensive though).

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Rosie

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I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:40 am

Hammocks!! Lots and lots of fleecy warm hammocks!! Mr. Green

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

Rest in peace, Violet and Isadora. <3

Thu Nov 24, 2005 7:34 am

A comf-E-cube also works well for keeping them warm, they are a bit expensive though!

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Rosie

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I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Thu Nov 24, 2005 8:19 am

	Ellie's_girl wrote:
	A comf-E-cube also works well for keeping them warm, they are a bit expensive though!

I was planning on getting that for my rats for Christmas! Mr. Green

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

Rest in peace, Violet and Isadora. <3

Thu Nov 24, 2005 9:00 am

I just got them one, and thye ripped out part of the sides and dragged the stuffing inside, have tons of food bits in it, and who knows what else, but they love it.

Of course, after rejecting several hammocks, they use the comf-E-cube as one half the time Rolling Eyes

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Rosie

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I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Thu Nov 24, 2005 4:17 pm

thanks for the ideas! i have made them an extra hammock so that they don't have to wait for it to dry out and i invented a 'snuggle tunnel'! made out of an old plastic juice bottle with the top cut off and lined with the sleeve of a jumper! they love it!they have put a comf e cube on their christmas list

Wed Nov 30, 2005 4:10 am

Just be careful if you decide to put a towel or something else over the cage because they will most likely try to drag it into their cage and in the process chew holes in it. I learned the hard way...

Wed Nov 30, 2005 4:22 pm

	Quote:
	Just be careful if you decide to put a towel or something else over the cage because they will most likely try to drag it into their cage

I only keep a old BIG T-Shirt over their cages at night and take it off in the morn

Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:19 am

Yeah, it does help to drape something over the cage to help keep the warmth in - but they will most definitely chew holes and attempt to pull it inside the cage with them. Any extra towels, blankets, fabric, etc you can add would also help keep them warm.

Do you have an upstairs in your house? If so, it would help to move them upstairs for the duration of the cold weather. Since heat rises, it is usually considerably warmer upstairs than it is downstairs - even with the heater on.

Or, if that isn't a possibility, do you have a small space heater? You could use a space heater in the same room as the cage to help keep them comfortable. Even if you just run it for a hour or so, or just overnight, the heat will stay in the room if you keep it closed off - and they are not too bad on electricity.

You can also look into reptile warmers that are made to go underneath cages (just make sure they are safe for the type of cage you have so they don't get too hot!). Or, the hand warmers (anyone know what they are called??) - the bags that come in different sizes that you can put into the microwave to heat them, and place those under the cage?

Just some suggestions. Hope that helps! Mr. Green

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Shanna
~ Serendipity Rodentry ~