lozza
Aussie Rat Owner 
Posts: 11
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Post by lozza on Jun 30, 2009 0:17:04 GMT 10
My older siblings had rats before me so i new a bit.
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Post by luthien on Jul 14, 2009 17:59:26 GMT 10
I reckon you'll get a skewed result here as most people will be on here because they are finding out about ratties, but you never know!
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skitch
Aussie Rat Owner
Posts: 42
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Post by skitch on Aug 9, 2009 23:42:23 GMT 10
I had pet rats when I was a really little girl.. I cant remember where my Mum got our first rats from but I know she rescued them from somewhere.. my brain isn't functioning tonight lol. I was pretty young and my Mum did most of the work for our first rats, but she would always involve me where she could.. I've had rats ever since those first two and growing up with them has given me a pretty good knowledge base of their care.  |
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Post by sublimity on Aug 17, 2009 21:24:05 GMT 10
I had never even considered rats for a pet. It was my son who is 9 that has wanted mice for the last year or so. After researching I found out that rats would make a better pet for him as he could get them out and play with them and teach them tricks.
At first I was like "omg ewwww" I remember going ot the pet shop with him and he was sticking his hands in and the lady asked me if i wanted to hold and I was like "Umm no thanks". But after researching heaps and then actually buying him one, over the course of the day I fell in love with it and held it and it didnt freak me out at all.
I guess sometimes we are just programmed to think some things are yucky. So I had to retrain my thought patterns and now Im in love with the two he has and would love to get more for me.
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katie
Aussie Rat Owner
Posts: 22
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Post by katie on Aug 20, 2009 20:23:53 GMT 10
Hello,
I haven't got my little babies yet but hopefully sometime next week. I have had some experience with rats- albeit through working in a pet store. But some of the people I worked with had pet rats and we were all (or mostly all of us were) very passionate about animal care. You would have been very lucky to walk out of the store with any sort of pet when I was working... had to answer some tough questions and be prepared to buy the largest cage etc etc.
Anyway, I'm just wondering what everyone here uses for litter/bedding- as I know that rats can have breathing problems if placed on the wrong stuff and want to use the best stuff for them.
Also do people wash their rat hammocks and bedding in their washing machine or hand wash it?
Thanks, Katie.
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Post by christie on Aug 20, 2009 21:55:12 GMT 10
Hiya Katie, to answer your questions i have found the the best litter to use is Breeders Choice cat litter. Its just paper pellets, its cheap, dust free and keeps the smell down really well.
Also all hammocks that i make i just throw them in the washing machine on a hot wash with vinegar weekly and once a month i will put a little bit of bleach in with them for an extra clean.
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Post by adown88 on Aug 26, 2009 19:02:46 GMT 10
I knew nothing about rats, besides they were like mice just bigger lol!
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jude
Aussie Rat Owner
Posts: 22
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Post by jude on Oct 23, 2009 7:10:36 GMT 10
I have always wanted rats as pets but no one else in the family was very impressed by that. Now my youngest daughter is getting married in two weeks and I am going to get myself some ratty friends after that... she is laughing about me replacing her with rodents! I am researching and learning a lot here.
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Post by wulfyskingdom on Oct 23, 2009 17:14:57 GMT 10
I have always wanted rats as pets but no one else in the family was very impressed by that. Now my youngest daughter is getting married in two weeks and I am going to get myself some ratty friends after that... she is laughing about me replacing her with rodents! I am researching and learning a lot here. lol, replacing your daughter with rats sounds quite funny! When explaining the joys of rat companionship to non-rat people, i ususally say that you need to own them in order to really experience it. Because it's not widely accepted that they can be a loving valued pet, its hard for people to understand sometimes. |
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jude
Aussie Rat Owner
Posts: 22
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Post by jude on Nov 25, 2009 8:42:50 GMT 10
I have always wanted rats as pets but no one else in the family was very impressed by that. Now my youngest daughter is getting married in two weeks and I am going to get myself some ratty friends after that... she is laughing about me replacing her with rodents! I am researching and learning a lot here. Well three weeks ago I bought my beautiful ratty girls and they have been such a wonderful addition to our lives. My husband and I love them and the granddaughters are very interested. My family - and their spouses are not so sure except for my youngest Deb, who just married, she loves them too and lets them run all over her. This is a relief to me because my husband and I like to go on holidays and now I have someone I know will love them and look after them. |
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Colleen
Aussie Rat Owner
Andy
Posts: 405
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Post by Colleen on Nov 25, 2009 11:28:16 GMT 10
YAY! congratulations on your newest addition to the family Jude! and its good to hear that your family have taken a liking to your rats... and anyway, what is there NOT to like about them  Plus its always handy to have someone to look after them when you go away. We would love to see some photos of your girlies  |
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gav
Aussie Rat Owner
Posts: 10
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Post by gav on Jun 12, 2010 17:28:25 GMT 10
An ex girlfriend of mine used to keep rats before we met. Whilst we were together, we got another pair of girls. I fell in love with the cute little ones, coz they were just so friendly, smart and active.
When we separated, she took them with her, as I had to move back home, and already had a cat. I'm now in a state when I can, and need the companionship.
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gav
Aussie Rat Owner
Posts: 10
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Post by gav on Jun 12, 2010 17:30:43 GMT 10
My plan is to get as much information as possible, before committing.
I'm not sure if I want a rescue rat. I certainly can see they need the love, but I'm inexperienced with helping if they've become distrustful, or are really stressed. I would like to, for they need love, but as said, I'd so need help.
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Post by ninjamidget on Jun 18, 2010 15:44:38 GMT 10
One of my friends has had rats for years, and to begin with they freaked me out a little haha But then I fell for them... I did a bit of research first, just the basic stuff like what they can and can't eat, good bedding etc. Then after I got them I became addicted ;D to be honest I think I know more than my friend now haha I've told her things that I've found out that she had no clue about (too much protein being bad for one...  ) and I'm still learning I love it, it's amazing to read about them and they are such lovable creatures - and its clear when they love you too! |
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Post by juicecup on Jun 22, 2010 11:38:14 GMT 10
I researched and joined another rat forum for about 5 months before I got my two  and I love them to bits!!! Going on rat forums and learning more has become a daily task |
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) and I'm still learning 