[Elliriyanna]

Today I picked up my newest adoption from a rescue near me. He was brought in in a hamster cage along with his 8 daughters. He is alone because after trying several cage mates he just can't take them every one ends in horrible fights. He is a pretty big boy and seems to like his cage he is using the levels but very scared. I wish he could be kept with another rat but with his past and at his age its not safe. We are working on a name still but here are a few pictures of him.

I know his cage is a little bare but I need to get to know him before I start buying things

And for those of you who know about my rat allergy its very mild and I was coddling him earlier and absolutely no side effects

Exploring his new cage

Look how big

 

[Elliriyanna]

In his Hut

Full cage shot

 

[Aluyasha]

Aww he is a Dumbo!
He is a very hansome rat.

 

[Elliriyanna]

Thanks I love him Hopefully she comes down

 

[lilspaz68]

Your rat is not old, he's about a year I would say. The fighting with other males was due to hormones but he could be neutered, and that should take care of any problem. It will reduce marking (peeing on you) and buck grease (which can make allergies worse) and then he can have a friend, even a female one

He's a very cute beige hooded dumbo.

I can help you figure out fun toys to make cheaply to hang in his cage.

 

[Elliriyanna]

Noone around here neuters that I know of. I will ask the rescue.

I have fleece at home so we can start there.

Also I got told off last night by a member or another forum for his cage I think its fine its just like a store bought cage or should I save to get him a new one? I thought it was ok or I wouldn't put him in it.

Thanks for the color he didn't look cream to me but I didn't know what he was.

 

[Judy Fuller]

new friend

:wavey: He is adorable! I have two females that I got from a rescue, that look just like him, maybe they are related! (just kidding)

 

[lilspaz68]

Noone around here neuters that I know of. I will ask the rescue.

I have fleece at home so we can start there.

Also I got told off last night by a member or another forum for his cage I think its fine its just like a store bought cage or should I save to get him a new one? I thought it was ok or I wouldn't put him in it.

Thanks for the color he didn't look cream to me but I didn't know what he was.

The cage is fine, needs more fun stuff for him, but I have seen others use mesh grids to make cages. It may end up driving you crazy for cleaning etc, but for now its roomy and he has levels.

where are you located and I'll ask around for vets that neuter.

 

[Aluyasha]

Noone around here neuters that I know of. I will ask the rescue.

I have fleece at home so we can start there.

Also I got told off last night by a member or another forum for his cage I think its fine its just like a store bought cage or should I save to get him a new one? I thought it was ok or I wouldn't put him in it.

Thanks for the color he didn't look cream to me but I didn't know what he was.

I do not see anything wrong with your setup. I think some people just like to argue for the sake of arguing. lol

 

[Rune]

Please don't take offense to what I have to say/suggest (because I see that you say you've had issues already) but I do not think the set up is alright "long-run" wise, but with some modifications there is hope!

Generally, if a rat's head can fit through then the entire body can fit through... And it looks to me as if that's possible (but then it could just be a bad angle.) You wouldn't want him to get stuck trying to escape either -- and the cardboard worries me a little. There are no ways for his toes to get caught are there? I'd hate for something to happen to him like that! It's one of the first things I try to look at when I get a new home for my rats; my Moo's an escape artist so I have to triple check e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

That and some rats have bedding allergies, but that's easy to spot and take care of if something were to happen. I've had rats in the past who couldn't have any type of bedding like you have; so I had to switch... But some rats are perfectly fine with it If you can keep the set up clean, the fabrics and the levels, and maybe add a little more safety measures to prevent him from escaping, and some cozy places for him to snuggle/get comfortable, or things to play with/keep him entertained (like the fleece suggested! Great idea!) I think you have a great start - I'm sure he'll be very content. (Also something completely unrelated but be sure you're careful with treats too -- rats love peanut butter but they can sometimes choke! I don't know if this is your first rat, so I'm not trying to step on toes! I apologize! Just trying to help =]. But this wasn't even on topic... Sorry! I get excited. My first rat that I had when I was really young loved the small yogurt type treats you could buy at the pet store for them, then another really loved peanut butter [but you have to be careful! They can choke on this easily!])

AHH this post is so long. I'm sorry! You have a cutie =]

 

[Sasami]

He's adorable! :heart:

Can his head fit through the openings? That would be my only concern as I've heard of rats getting stuck that way. Other than that it looks like a good set-up.

 

[Elliriyanna]

The rescue told me of a vet that neuters

Also his head fits to his ears but I plan to hardware cloth over it. The ramps are safe for him I made sure it was cut exact so no pinched toes.

Also we are looking at ferret cages though I would LOVE a critter nation.

Tonight I am making some climbs and tunnels. He just lays around my poor baby. I think he needs the motivation of a girl in his life two weeks and I plan to have him neutered provided my school fee isn't higher than expected.

As for bedding I use aspen I know this cage isn't perfect but for now while I save its ok. We need to get him neutered and a friend then get him and her a new cage.

I just pray I'm being paranoid as usual I will relax when I am off my probationary period at this job. Then a. New cage will be no problem

 

[Elliriyanna]

Even now I would not consider it a big deal I know he needs a new cage so I will get that I wish I could get my hands on a used critter nation.

 

[lilspaz68]

Even now I would not consider it a big deal I know he needs a new cage so I will get that I wish I could get my hands on a used critter nation.

We all do... *dreams* and I have THREE FN's myself LOL

I didn't notice the cardboard in your ramps but you can easily make ramp covers out of fleece if you sew, or wrap it with something else, cardboard will reek very quickly and need to be changed a lot. I have used bird ladders with that plastic/rubbery cupboard liner wrapped over it to make more solid in the past.

 

[Elliriyanna]

That's what I used for the levels ... I was just worried he would slip so I did this. I can easily change it over.

I will look at that site I want the best for him I can't wait to get him neutered so he can have a friend.

 

[lilspaz68]

See if you can get foam shapes from a dollar store, and string them together as a hanging chew toy...pick up cat jingle balls, plastic baby links, wooden chew toys for birds are always good

Put a cardboard box in the base level and maybe another hammock above for more incentive to use the whole cage

 

[Elliriyanna]

We have wooden shapes I can get plastic links for birds wooden chews and jingle bell balls are easy

I don't want him on the bottom until my new bedding is in stock.

 

[lilspaz68]

We have wooden shapes I can get plastic links for birds wooden chews and jingle bell balls are easy

I don't want him on the bottom until my new bedding is in stock.

Why? That is where he will poop, you want him down there

 

[Elliriyanna]

I was worried about allergies. He does go to the bathroom on the bottom sleeps at the top and eats in the middle.

I contacted the rescue to ask where I could find a used cage rescues tend to have connections.

Fleece toys I'm adding tonight other toys I'll find some more next time I'm at the pet store.

I feel so bad for him its like he has given up. He just lays there and does nothing. Think a girl would perk him up?

 

[Vladina]

He is adorable!! What a sweet face and of course, I love those beautiful dumbo ears! He is sooo cute! He looks pretty happy too!