how come you have wire bottoms? i heard those were bad for rat feet.

They're bad for any animals feet

That cage almost looks dual-level though

It's tri-level and powder coated. You're seeing just a small section of the cage that doesn't have bedding or padding as it is right under the drippy water bottle and mildewed cloth is less healthy for a rat.

I've owned rats for six years and have never had a single case of bumblefoot or any sort of foot damage on my rats. I keep antibiotics and rat cold medication on hand in my fridge, tea tree oil for injuries, and I live about ten miles from one of the be3st rat veterinarians in the world.

that's good. i had a feeling it was like that, but i had to be sure. didn't mean to offend ;3

It's a liiiitle bit of a tender point. While I was trying to nurse Irvine back from a cold that could have killed him (He was put in a hospital cage, had mentholated steam to help clear his lungs, ensure to keep him hydrated and keep nutrition in him, antibiotics, and a heating pad under the cage to keep him warm) I found myself fielding criticisms from folks who insisted I was doing it wrong. The fact that he went from barely able to breathe to almost completely healed in about 48 hours I think speaks well enough.

yeah i can see why it would. you obviously care a lot for them, though, and anyone with eyes can see that.

Swing from your head? Howso?

I have long hair. The rats love it.

Aerith: "PAY ATTENTION TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!" *glower, nomnom on bars*

lol. Who knew rats were star hungry for attention XD.

Aww how cute. My ferret does that too. But only when he's in his travel cage and when im driving. But its so cute.

Gen's rats rule, she always seems to get the most interesting ones

Now if she starts to pick the lock with her tail.... you're in trouble.

swing from your head?
now this I'd like to see!
movieclip plz?

Well that one way to keep the teeth short.

Is there a Sephiroth-rat? And if there is , are there piccies?

i think it's aerith and Tifa who keep trying to get in my ears x.x

A couple of my rats used to do the same thing.

my rats don't chew the the cage, so, i guess im lucky, they arn't much of chewers at all, actually

Teh Grrr rat attacks!

My rats have not learned the bar chewing trick- they just plaster themselves to the bars and look pathetic..

Spazz ruins the act by climbing everywhere nonstop though....

I let them come out and play as long as I can keep an eye on them- neither likes to stay on my shoulders for long.
The urge to explore is too great, I guess.

But I can't let them explore the art desk...So its the most fascinating place that they simply must go check out.

Even after both of them have peed on artwork and fallen off the edge multiple times.

(Clutzy rats...Haven't learned that paper hanging over the edge won't hold them up.)

The table is low, and theres stuff under it, so they can't get hurt- but they want to go right back to it again right away.

-Badger-

As long as all he/they do is swing from your hair.....
Hope the prep for the 24hr is going well

she's quite cute... I recently got my two girls a new cage... it has oddly curved wires around the sides that has somehow stopped their chewing habit... haven't heard them gnawing for quite some time now. Now their only left with the wooden ladder that spans the great bride (in between two floors of their cage... one rat likes to play Gandalf and topple it so the other can;t climb up after her. ) and their hanging wood chew toys for chewing purposes.

OMG! Gives her attention NAO!!

Despite all her rage, she is still just a rat in a cage


[/obviousjoke]

May I commend you on your choice of usericons :)

"Put your hands down! For God's sake put them down now!!!"

Aw, thanks!

D'awwww. <3

My rat did that constantly for at least two months, I gave him tons of chew toys, far more time outside than I ever did before, I even got him a buddy, different foods, different bedding, so many many things, and I finally figured out he had rabies. 3=
fhjkfs
The cage was right next to me at my desk and I'm at my desk all day, and my desk is part of a bunk house - my bed is just above the desk in a bunk-bed style thing.
I couldn't sleep for two months 3=

Holy crap! Mine just do it to be annoying. I once put Tabasco sauce on the bars to try and dissuade them and they licked it off and begged for more.

I put lemon on it and he hates it but did it anyway 3=

Lemon juice AND Hot sauce and they still craved the bars?

I never tried hot sauce, I hate hot sauce so I don't have any XD

She's so cute x3c

My two ferrets used to do the same thing. *sigh* I miss my weasels...