asy
Aussie Rat Owner 
Posts: 47
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Post by asy on Jun 30, 2008 1:32:11 GMT 10
OK, as part of my 'pre-ratty-information' drive, I was wondering whether Rats are OK when their humans go on holidays. I ask because we're planning to go away for about a week in September school holidays. We usually go away for one or two weeks a year (usually a week at a time), and whilst I'm sure I can find someone to come in and feed/water them, I am worried they won't get played with enough while we're away. Also, if we do get rats fairly soon, they'll still be quite young and I'm wondering about whether we should wait until after we get back from this trip before getting them. I would imagine their personality and friendliness is most impressionable in the first few months, and leaving them (for the most part) alone for a week might not be good sense. I would imagine it'd be 'easier' on an older rat... The other thing is, we're planning a trip to the USA in about 3 years time. I know, it's a VERY premature question, but, we'll be away for about 6-8 weeks. I'm concerned that if I get rats now, we'll have quite elderly rats (hopefully they're still around then!) and am worried about how they'll cope while we're away. I will have someone house-sitting then (otherwise my furry-son (the dog) will go nuts without someone here for that long), so they'd have company, but just wanted to hear people's views. I really don't want to put off getting rats until after the trip (to USA), as it's only a plan at the moment, and it's also possible it'd be the year after that. I would put off getting rats until after the September trip, though... I think that might be the wise move, but dunno... Thanks for anyone's thoughts on this. asy  |
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Colleen
Aussie Rat Owner
Andy
Posts: 405
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Post by Colleen on Jun 30, 2008 17:44:21 GMT 10
The rats should be ok if you leave them in the hands of a sitter for 2 weeks. it is a problem if they don’t get enough attention, and they would start to go crazy if left in their cage for too long and with no 'out time.' If you get a friend to look after them, then just tell them to let your rats out for 30 mins a day and give them love. if a pet sitter is going to look after your rats, just tell them the same. If you got your rats fairly soonish, they would have had plenty of time to get accustomed to you and there personalities would already be set by then. Its about 3 months until September, and that’s a long time for a rat! but if your really worried, then get they rats after you go away. Ummm, i hate to say this, but there is a good chance that your rats would have passed on before you go to the USA... but then again maybe not, and it depends on when you actually get them. No, don’t hold off on getting them until you get back from the USA... that too long to wait  if they do need looking after for 6 to 8 weeks then you better have some good rat loving friends around who are willing to care for your rats for that long... not much else i can suggest there. Your rats will still remember you after 8 weeks; they have great memories, so don’t worry about that. …good luck with everything colleen |
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Post by wulfyskingdom on Jun 30, 2008 22:39:06 GMT 10
again, being in brisbane you have some options. If you dont have friends who can help out, there maybe some people from the rescue group able to help. I wouldnt see a week being a problem as long as the person is comfortable with young rats (if you get them before your holiday) - someone new to rats may find younger rats harder to manage. Its good that you are doing your homework before taking the plunge  If you still have your ratties when you go to the US chances are they'll be quite old and you may need to be prepared to leave them with an experienced owner with money to pay vet bills (if needed) or let them make the decision on what to do if one gets seriously sick (if you cant be contacted within a few hours etc) |
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asy
Aussie Rat Owner
Posts: 47
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Post by asy on Jul 1, 2008 8:07:36 GMT 10
Yeah, Connie, definitely NOT going to wait till after the USA trip! Someone will have to house-sit for us when we go there anyway, otherwise Olly (dog) will be sad, but my cousin will probably do that. And my son's not going with us, but I'll have to see whether he's developed enough sense to be left home by himself by then (he'd be 17/18, but no guarantee of sense)... Wulfy, good comments about leaving vet-money, thanks. It's definitely not something to forget to do. I have done that previously when I've left pets to be looked after. I remember once, many years ago, I agreed to babysit a 'friend's' young dog while they went away for 2 weeks. Before they left I said "Now, I assume if something untoward happens I have your permission to take her to the vet and you'll reimburse any costs?" The guy said "No way! I'm not spending any money on that creature, I don't even like it. If it dies, it dies". So I took a deep breath and said "Ok, no worries, off ya go". They left. I'd found the dog a new home by the time they came back. I'd told the new owners (other friends of mine) what was going on and when these 'friends' got home, they rang me about the dog. I said "Look, you don't have to pick her up if you don't want to, another friend fell in love with her while she was here and they want her if you don't". They said "Oh, good, OK then". So I took the dog to her new owners, and never saw those people again. I was just horrified. So, I'm always very careful that when people look after my pets they know to afford them every care. We went away earlier this year and my cousin house-sat, and not only was he instructed to ensure vet care, but I also rang my vet (who's really nice) and told him I was going to be away, if anything happened to look after Olly and I'd sort the bill out when I got home. He was fine with that. asy |
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Post by wulfyskingdom on Jul 1, 2008 12:01:04 GMT 10
I'm so glad to hear those people never wanted the dog back. Considering their attitude at the start, the poor thing would have been neglected. Its good that its with a better family now. I think thats the biggest worry with leaving rats at home while going away. They can become very ill quickly and getting them the veterinary assistance they need or giving them the correct meds then also understanding their needs and caring for them correctly. Even things like making sure they are eating, or knowing what foods to give them when they have dramatic weight loss. So as long as you have a friend or relative who is able to pay attention to them and handle them daily things like weight loss or the beginnings of tumors can be found straight away. If its an agressive tumor it wont wait 6 weeks to be removed - so the quicker things like that are caught the better. Even respiratory illness/myco can be picked up and treated before it becomes life threatening and of course, unfortunately there are the times where no matter how soon we treat them, they wont respond to the meds or surgery and we need to decide the best time to help our little ones over the rainbow bridge  |
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Colleen
Aussie Rat Owner
Andy
Posts: 405
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Post by Colleen on Jul 2, 2008 16:13:01 GMT 10
Yeah, Connie, definitely NOT going to wait till after the USA trip! ....its colleen... hehehehee, lol!!! My friends younger sister called me Connie when she was about 2 because she couldn’t pronounce my name properly! Yeah, if i was you, i would go rat crazy if i had to wait for 3 years before i got a rat!! |
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Post by Leeann on Jul 3, 2008 9:47:06 GMT 10
Along with all the above suggestions for rattie sitting, consider also asking the breeder (if that is where you get them from) if they would rat sit for you.
Usually there would be a small daily cost involved, but at least you will know they will give your rats, what they need.
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asy
Aussie Rat Owner
Posts: 47
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Post by asy on Jul 3, 2008 11:46:07 GMT 10
Thanks LeAnne, Great idea. I don't mind about the cost, I would be happy to pay for someone to look after them so long as I knew they were happy and well cared for. So no worries there... Much appreciated. asy |
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Post by rani on Jul 6, 2008 18:38:44 GMT 10
Ive been away from them for 1 week max and they have been fine
I also rat sit for my rat friends and would trust them with my babies.
It's a good idea to get a rat network then you can all help each other out.
Rani
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Post by nanakki on Jul 7, 2008 0:44:24 GMT 10
I just got back from being in Darwin for a week, the rats were left with my partner's brother. They were ok when we got back today, in that they had food and water, but VERY restless and antagonising each other a lot: we let them out in shifts because Izzy and Bea were going out of their way to hassle each other even in a big lounge room, and i was sick of hearing the squeaking.
Bea was a bit odd when we first got back too, she didn't actually bite us, but she was resting her teeth on our fingers and biting my fingernails. Its the closest she has come to actually biting, which i watch with her, because she has been a bit unstable compared to the others. She seemed pretty annoyed with us at any rate.
Has anyone else had to deal with irratable rats when returning from a holiday?
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Colleen
Aussie Rat Owner
Andy
Posts: 405
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Post by Colleen on Jul 7, 2008 9:04:45 GMT 10
Has anyone else had to deal with irratable rats when returning from a holiday? That might be just there way of welcoming you back! |
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Post by nanakki on Jul 7, 2008 19:01:18 GMT 10
That might be just there way of welcoming you back! Too true! They have settled down nicely now. I think they are pleased to have the attention they feel they are entitled to again. peas helped. |
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