Hey everyone I'm new here and to rats. My fiance and I were forced to get rid of my cats that I've had since childhood because of his extreme cat allergies. We have reptiles that we love but they don't really love you back like mammals. So we had the task of finding something affectionate that fits our household:sweet, non-bitey, small enough to have room for two so that they can keep eachother company during the 8 hours a day we're at work. We did research and found out about rats. We got our new boys on Tuesday. Remi is a blue self rat who, judging by his 4.5 in body length and fuzzy hair is probably only about 6 or 7 weeks old. Emile is a brown hooded rat who is still young but about twice as big as Remi. Both of them approached my hand when I reached in their cage in the store, let me pick them up, and were sneeze free. We're already in love with them! In the past three days they've already gotten the hang of the
litter pan, they more or less let us hold them (emile tries to scamper off sometimes), and they've already chosen who they belong too. Remi sits perfectly still and grooms himself while I pet him but runs from my fiance. Emile hides from me but immediately falls asleep with my fiance. They sleep in a big rat pile and are such good friends. The only thing that is odd is that the tiny one seems to be dominant.
Anyway, they are in a large three story
wire cage with a metal pan, some platforms and ladders, a hammock, a corner litter pan, water bottle, food dispenser, tire swing, and various wooden and rubber chew toys. They are eating the most nutritious block food I can find plus some treats during our socializing sessions. If anyone could give me any tips on the best way to work on socializing so that they are both comfortable with both of us (in case one person wasn't available for rat care at some point) and on whether or not their setup sounds good I would appreciate it. I'll post pics this weekend. They're soooo cute. I should have had rats all along!
Oh and I forgot, when they come out of the cage they have a big rat ball that I bought them for exercise. Emile loves it and goes crazy in it but poor Remi is so small he seems to have trouble moving it.
Jack, Apollo, Phineas, Shiloh, Squid
Maximus the betta
