can anyone give me a quick run down on rats ....
my nephew has one but hes not looking after it and my sis asked us to take it
i am due to pick it up in the morning and i know nothing ...
im about to set about researching now

they say he needs a house ... what kind is best?
i dont know what they eat?
i assume they drink water ?
what toys do they need ?
should he have a friend?
anything you can tell me would be great?
thanks

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Odin my beautiful KC reg GSD
Freya my baby KC reg GSD
Beefcake the bunny
Our little leopard gecko Sparticus

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

they say he needs a house ... what kind is best?

mine have hammocks made out of flannels and tea towels and a reptile hide which only one of them uses lol

i dont know what they eat?

Pet Rat Information Sheet - all you need for happy healthy pet rats

hope this link helps you mine eat anything but i won't feed them junk greasy foods or chocolate

i assume they drink water ?

yes always make sure they have water

should he have a friend?

rats are social animals i'd say et him a friend

just remember, we want piccies

__________________
We can learn a lot from shelter dogs; for
example, no matter how much you have
been hurt in the past, there's someone who
wants to love you.

Opinions ain't facts, take them in and let them go.

thanks for the link .... i mean his cage his cage is old ... so if i was to get him a friend in the near future .... how big would the cage need to be for 2 rats?

__________________

Odin my beautiful KC reg GSD
Freya my baby KC reg GSD
Beefcake the bunny
Our little leopard gecko Sparticus

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

You could go to Pets At Home and get a Freddy 2 or a Furet Plus. Both of these are suitable for 2 rats.

For the moment, get him settled in. You could also buy a igloo for the rat to sleep in, small water bottle or water bowl (mine only drink from a bowl), small food dish/bowl.

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I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
RIP David xx Run free at the bridge. Love you always xx 19th February 2011
RIP Jack and Mickey xx Run free at the bridge. Love you forever xx 20th June 2011

he has a hammock and he has 2 bowls for food n water but no toys or anything
resulting in him chewing his cage bars

__________________

Odin my beautiful KC reg GSD
Freya my baby KC reg GSD
Beefcake the bunny
Our little leopard gecko Sparticus

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

hammocks are good. if he's a chewer, i would be inclined to get bargain hammocks for only £1-2 each. I buy mine from here: bettysbeds . I also buy special hammocks, for christmas and birthdays from here: Fuzzbutt Cage Comforts - Funky handmade robust squishy rat hammocks, chinchilla hammocks and unique cage furniture. Come on in and Fuzzify your cage!! . They are all great quality.

You can also buy willow toys for them to chew. They are not like rabbits or guineapigs that need gnawing objects as they grind their teeth to keep them short and level. But chew toys can keep them entertained. They are intelligent animals that need interaction and free range time (around 30-60mins per night, depending on the activity level of the rats. my rats are ready to go back into their cage after 30 minutes or so, some rats may need 1-2 hours).

__________________
I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
RIP David xx Run free at the bridge. Love you always xx 19th February 2011
RIP Jack and Mickey xx Run free at the bridge. Love you forever xx 20th June 2011

i might need a pen or something for them then because we have the pup and i think he might just try and eat them lol....
hmmmm great reply thought thanks muchly

__________________

Odin my beautiful KC reg GSD
Freya my baby KC reg GSD
Beefcake the bunny
Our little leopard gecko Sparticus

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

thanks.

I use my hallway, or you could use the bathroom. preferably use a room that has no wires. or you can make a playpen from plywood boards.

__________________
I OWN A CHOCOLATE ROAN COCKER SPANIEL
RIP David xx Run free at the bridge. Love you always xx 19th February 2011
RIP Jack and Mickey xx Run free at the bridge. Love you forever xx 20th June 2011

oooo good idea.... thanks
any tips are welcome ive never had a rat before

__________________

Odin my beautiful KC reg GSD
Freya my baby KC reg GSD
Beefcake the bunny
Our little leopard gecko Sparticus

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

You could visit Fancy Rats | Home or The Rat Shack for tons of advice on food/housing/bedding/behaviour/health and just about anything else rat related!
But stay on here as well to keep us updated with pics and news hehe

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RIP - Marsh, Hugo, Mako, Rufus, Seamus, Lavender, BigBoy, Tetley and Fitch <3