question about pet rats

jamesmorris86 · 2 May 2009 at 16:08

hey guys, my flat mates thinking of buying a pair of rats, and we were going to built a run for them to give them a bit more space.

does anyone know how high it would need to be to stop them climbing over it?

BlackDragon · 2 May 2009 at 16:09

I imagine if they can climb it, they will get over it no matter the height?

LukeTW · 2 May 2009 at 16:10

I remember when i got bit by a pet rat before

BigglesPiP · 2 May 2009 at 16:11

It needs a roof.

jamesmorris86 · 2 May 2009 at 16:11

im guessing aslong as it has nothing for them to grip then it should be ok, maybe i should have said jump over it

Substance · 2 May 2009 at 16:19

jamesmorris86 said:
im guessing aslong as it has nothing for them to grip then it should be ok, maybe i should have said jump over it

Rats are insanely agile, it really should have a roof

Gothic Draconia · 2 May 2009 at 16:25

I used to have a rat which could jump 2 feet vertically and hang on the mesh and pull itself along the ceiling of the modified hutch i kept it in. If there isn't a roof, it will go walkies.

Sweetloaf · 2 May 2009 at 16:38

Rats will find a way out roof or not

They make brilliant pets and actually end up answering to their names which I still find crazy to this day.

LiamC · 2 May 2009 at 16:47

I have 2 rats as pets, and i agree with " If they cant climb it they wont ". They will jump up and have a look to see if they can get out, but if theres nothing for them to grip onto they wont bother.

My rats however will happily jump from a 5ft bunker in the kitchen.. Brilliant pets though - Very intelligent.

I get around · 2 May 2009 at 16:49

You'd need a roof bud.

Lydzor · 2 May 2009 at 17:01

I'd recommend a roof also, just to be safe.

danza · 2 May 2009 at 17:12

I had a rat that would jump from the coffee table to the sofa for a piece of digestive. He could easily make 4', so I'd say you need a roof on there.

Some of my rats would hang from the top of their cages too so they are very likely to escape a run based on their climbing ability.

Oh, and some rats will jump out of a bath no trouble. I used to chuck mine in the bath when they got stinky as male rats do when you have several living together. They are also excellent swimmers.

Nick1881 · 2 May 2009 at 17:15

Rats smell bad, I would never want to keep one as a pet.

LiamC · 2 May 2009 at 17:25

mr_x_plosion said:
Rats smell bad, I would never want to keep one as a pet.

They do smell, but ive smelt worse. Clean their cage once a week and wash the rats and they will be fine.

here are mine

danza · 2 May 2009 at 17:35

mr_x_plosion said:
Rats smell bad, I would never want to keep one as a pet.

Male rats can stink. Female rats smell of their bedding and not much else, so they're much better if smell is of concern.

mleanz1 · 2 May 2009 at 18:16

id have a roof just to be on the safe side. My mates rat learn't how to open the cage. Such intelligent animals we ended up padlocking it !

DampCat · 2 May 2009 at 18:18

Sweetloaf said:
Rats will find a way out roof or not

They make brilliant pets and actually end up answering to their names which I still find crazy to this day.

They make extremely good companions. Very loyal.

But yes. Your rats will escape unless you take every precaution to keep them secure. Crafty buggers.

danza · 2 May 2009 at 18:27

DampCat said:
They make extremely good companions. Very loyal.

This is true, it's just a real heartache when they snuff it - you can easily become very attached to them.

Amp34 · 3 May 2009 at 00:19

danza said:
I had a rat that would jump from the coffee table to the sofa for a piece of digestive. He could easily make 4', so I'd say you need a roof on there.

Some of my rats would hang from the top of their cages too so they are very likely to escape a run based on their climbing ability.

Oh, and some rats will jump out of a bath no trouble. I used to chuck mine in the bath when they got stinky as male rats do when you have several living together. They are also excellent swimmers.

Mine used to do that when we came into the room, they would dangle until we opened the top door, at which point they would jump out. And i've done exactly the same with mine in the bath too.

My first one caused me no end of headaches for the first few days, we had her in an old (normal size 3 ft) aquarium with a flip up back part (where the light electronics would go). The first morning we went downstairs to see the rat and she was gone from the aquarium, after about 15 minutes we heard a shuffling in the top, and there she was, havign jumped 18 inches and climbed through the hole into the back bit. Next morning, not in the cage, and not in the top bit either... We spent the whole morning searching for her and eventually had to coax her out of the bottom of a big plant container with food. We taped the back flappy bit up and she spent the rest of her nights sleeping in that area... :confused:

danza said:
This is true, it's just a real heartache when they snuff it - you can easily become very attached to them.

And that's why this thread makes me sad, and makes me want another couple.

To the OP, why not just let them roam free when you are in, my rats never stayed in their cage when someone was in the house, they would always be taken out and be given the run of whichever room the person was in. Gives them more freedom to stretch their legs and explore (if they want, I had a few that would just go to their favorite spots and sleep :rolleyes:

).

platinum87 · 3 May 2009 at 00:55

whats the point of getting a rat for a pet? i mean i wouldnt get a pet, but i understand a dog or a cat or mabye a fish (fish tanks look cool)

i might as well grow drug resistant bacteria and leave it in a hospital... super MRSA v2