10 ways to own Rats on a budget

If you have any other tips for saving money when owning rats, leave them in the comments!
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:15 Buy secondhand
2:20 Buy big bales of bedding
4:08 CARDBOARD!
5:36 Go Bioactive
6:21 Make your own food
7:13 Shop in discount stores
8:14 Collect rat safe wood
10:11 Don't buy treats
11:07 Make foraging toys
Links:
Shunamite diet: shunamiterats.co.uk/the-scutt...
www.isamurats.co.uk/options-fo...
Rat safe woods:
www.animallama.com/rats/safe-...
Safe rat foods:
pethelpful.com/rodents/Rat-Nu...
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[@Tobithepurpleducc]

Thank you for this! This really helps as my rats mean so much to me, but I have very limited spending money.

[@Balrog-tf3bg]

Same. I have 5, it’s kinda surprising how expensive bedding and decent rat food is

[@rumworm]

When my partner worked at a cardboard packaging factory my rats were truly living their best life x) Every day he would come home with interesting boxes and packaging for them and I was able to make a huge folding playpen and tons of intricate castles/hides/puzzle feeders. Thank you for such a helpful video and for all the resources! It’s a difficult time to be a pet owner and it’s helpful to be reminded that something doesn’t need to be expensive to enrich your pets life. ❤

[@rowdyrats7035]

I love using old pillow cases for hammocks, buying 2 euro fleece and making ropes out of those and cardboard is obviously friend for every rat owner. 😂

[@PricelessJesus]

Ty 😊😊

[@kassemellor6809]

Ahh cardboard! It’s practically free yet totally priceless! 2 tips not mentioned- PVC pipe. You can get small pieces that connect together from any hardware store and it’s so thick that the rats can’t/won’t chew through it. You can hang it on the cage or just lay inside for a tunnel. 2-Cement mixing pans to hold bedding. This part is USA specific, but the large cement mixing pans from Home Depot for into the bottom of a double critter nation and cost less than $20. You may need to shave off some on one end to get it to fit perfectly. But this is a great option if you can’t afford to have something made for you and don’t have the skill or tools to make it yourself, also there are plastic bins sold at any Walmart or similar that would fit on top of the shelves of most cages for a deeper bedding option, just measure your shelf and tie the tape measure to the store with you! As far as litter pans, again any plastic bin will do, I place a smooth rock in to weigh it down and boys especially love to mark the stone, which helps with litter training-two birds, one stone.

[@Emiology]

Yes! These are really good ones I forgot about PVC pipe, can find it going free sometimes too. Can often find two storage tubs / boxes that fit side by side in the bottom of the cage too for deeper bedding

[@sonofliberty1]

Thanks for the chill Sunday vibes. I've had a pet on all kinds of budgets but the one thing that matters is that we want the best for our little friends. ❤

[@RainyDayRen]

I’ve repurposed a few hamster balls for my boys into hides and it’s definitely one of their favorites. Just remove the lid, use the slats to hang it up, and add a little washcloth inside and bam a cozy little bed

[@RainyDayRen]

Thrift stores are great places when you’re working on budget. I’ve found that bathroom storage stuff like shower shelves work really well

[@MA-cp9bf]

Love this! I noticed that most of this can also apply to mice or hamsters.

[@marzettik]

Can’t go wrong with budget friendly options. ❤

[@pompommania]

I shop at the dollar store for my rats when I can (fleece baby blankets, toilet paper, pasta, etc).

[@user-lv3un5hv4u]

I work in the health sector and I ask the nurses to save the empty glove boxes for me and my rats go crazy for them. And I also buy the big packs of toilet rolls so I can put them in the cage for them so that they can unravel the toilet roll and make bedding out of it. Another thing that I do I go around charity shops to find things for my rats 🐀 like pillar case's, baby blankets and sheets,ceramic pots and anything else that I know will be suitable for my rats 🐀. Thanks for your wonderful video, very helpful. Thanks from Amanda and the pets 🐭 😊.

[@deusex9731]

i had an unised toiled roll holder, so now my rats got an actual holder for their rolls in their cage XD

[@mentalmotherof2219]

Old bedding etc can be put into your compost patch or to cover the ground to protect strawberries etc and stop weeds. We have been doing this and it works really well!

[@kassemellor6809]

Oh tell me more! Are you using shavings? Where I live I don’t have space for a garden but I’m moving shortly and would love to have one at the new place.

[@mentalmotherof2219]

@@kassemellor6809 yes, it’s a great way to reuse it all. The compost we add it to kitchen scraps and garden weeds and grass cuttings, using it as a mulch you just put it on top of the soil x

[@kassemellor6809]

Oh wow! I had no idea you could do that! Nice, thank you! Xo

[@firecat2382]

so happy to see more rat videos, love it.

[@kassemellor6809]

Oh I also forgot about food bowls! I use yogurt cups, just wash them out instead of tossing. and zip tie them onto the cage. But you could use almost any container that would otherwise be thrown away. And when they get chewed to bits (which they will be eventually) just replace! Zip ties! They are available at the dollar stores, big box stores, auto parts shops, etc and usually in assorted sizes and quantities. Zip ties are a must have for every rat owner. As are shower curtain rings. For the fresh foods I use the dishes that I buy prepared mashed potatoes or mac n cheese in. You know, those black tray type dishes. Best part about those is you can leave the rats to clean up any bits you can’t remove before you wash them, so it’s a treat for them and a free pet food bowl for you lol

[@kaycollarfeild]

I always just tossed the food inside so they had to find it. Unless it was fruit or ice. If i gave my rats a bowl of food like i did at the start, they got very skinny. Food was always around so they never bothered to eat it. But for some reason, the same handful on the floor, they ate. Smh

[@kassemellor6809]

Rats are weird little animals aren’t they? Lol

[@xxkenzie_x]

Thank you so much for this video! I just rescued 7 boys (unfortunately one passed away the day he arrived 💔) and I currently don’t have a ton of money. It was slightly impulsive but I’m very glad I did it because just from what I’ve seen their living situation wasn’t ideal. I’m definitely gonna be making them a bunch of stuff to keep them occupied despite the battle wounds they love to give me lol

[@emmagraf4127]

Hey Em! First of all, I adore your videos. I'm a fellow pots girly, and I just got three female baby rats. They couldn't be more perfect!!! (Their names are Patch/Patches, short for pumpkin patch, Ophelia/Oph, and Chai, short for Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Latte)

[@antsy._.artist778]

i'm getting 3 female babies in less than two weeks! names are blue, cheddar, and brie :) good luck with your babies!

[@emmagraf4127]

@@antsy._.artist778 Those names are so cute! Good luck to you as well! I got mine a week ago and already I had to remodel the cage bc the cement tub I put in the bottom gaped a few days in a oph escaped 😅

[@emmagraf4127]

I found her though, don't worry, and she was perfectly fine, she was just sleeping in one of my t-shirts under my desk

[@antsy._.artist778]

@@emmagraf4127 oof, I’m glad it worked out!!

[@PeacheIIe]

Love the video!! Some of these tips are good for chinchillas and birds too!

[@animallover630]

Thank you for this veryuseful video!

[@Topazurey]

Great video ❤

[@josephinastover5785]

Really great ideas... thanks!

[@diane9693]

One money saver I found was making my own hammocks. I’m not good at sewing but I found videos on eBay for non-sewing hammocks. They fun to make and fun for the rats to destroy 😂

[@that.neurodivergent]

Aw that’s such a good idea! A fun creative project, and it’s not like it has to be perfect since a) they don’t care and b) it’s gonna be destroyed anyway! And those hammocks can be expensive! AND you can have creative control and decide what fabric you want… a win win win!

[@KurtPisocki]

I do that too. My hubby bought me a sewing machine. I use the Walmart fleece throws and make them.

[@Millycarlsonnn]

Soon I might get the beggebo IKEA storage shelf and am gonna turn it into a mouse cage

[@haleydonat3897]

Now that's a great economy option with prices today. Love this can we also do a boujiee rat budget too? For ppl that are looking for more high end products. Love my cirtternations. Also my running wheel and the cage pans I got. Very spendy but so damn worth it.

[@rowdyrats7035]

Aw, man, I'm going to bed just as I get this notification. Will be watching tomorrow. ❤

[@Emiology]

I'm falling asleep trying to upload it haha

[@phoenixluna4137]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. This can help many ratties live better, respectful lifes. All animals deserve respect

[@ikkuranus]

the rolls carpet comes on is great for rats. If you go into a home center and see an empty roll they will often give it to you for free if you ask.

[@user-zv9bd4xp8v]

Could you please make a video on how to maximise the space of your rat cage? I have a fairly large cage but am no good at decorating it and using the space to its fullest!!

[@jack-a-lopium]

Heheheh, my rats eat the same cereal that I do :D Obviously sugar-free cereal, but the great news is: in the UK, ALMOST ALL (I checked) human cereal is fortified, so that stuff is fine/good for animals.

[@Emiology]

On the flip side I’ve also sat and eaten my rats cereal before during free roam 😂

[@awetistic5295]

Thanks for the wonderful video! What kind of tape or glue do you recommend for making toys? My grandpa Sammy loves chewing up cardboard and toilet rolls more than anything else in the world. He often has to pause for a little boggling session because it makes him so happy. 🥰

[@dormant5023]

Why did I think you were talking about your actual grandpa 💀

[@awetistic5295]

@@dormant5023 My Grandpas would have been very confused if I had given them toilet rolls to chew on.

[@rynshalless8178]

Can you share the ingredients for their food please?🥰

[@thejokerlovesdogs2723]

Shadow the rat gas amazing tutorials on her youtube channel on how to make DIY rat items!

[@thikimhongtran2111]

Các bé chuột de thương đáng yêu quá đi

[@britlyntrent1999]

2 of my 3 litter mates killed eachother while I wasn't home a few days ago. Majority of my cage accessories were diy, but I had to throw away most of it because it was a mess. I just spent a couple hours making new accessories. I found some baby rats and their dad on craigslist and the plan is to get them tomorrow, so the one who survived will have some friends.

[@kidstuff44555]

We made a cage out of a large dog crate, just bought the wire mesh to cover it and attached with zip ties. The cage is huge and we had 4 rats in it (although, you could easily fit twice as many). For bedding we used dirt from the garden (luckily we have sandy soil) and fresh hay from our bales (we buy bales for the horses and sheep). The only proper rat toy we bought was a sputnik. The rest of the cage is branches, logs, cardboard shoe boxes, old wooden shelves, baskets filled with fresh grass, old clothes tied up for hammocks, old ropes and plastic pipes attached with zip ties and hooks. We just throw the branches away and get new ones when we clean the cage :) We feed a good quality pellet and then whatever we have for dinner for scraps, anything from pasta, mince, chicken, eggs, chickpeas, cheese etc.

[@Just_me12344]

Is it one story or do you stack some? I feel like I might wanna try but I wanna try to make it 2 floors and cut a hold to stick a latter through!! Great idea!

[@kidstuff44555]

@@Just_me12344 Thanks! Ours is just one crate, a large size one I think its 48". Inside the crate we created levels with shelves and platforms. I think the one negative to the crate is that the base is not very deep, its just a shallow plastic tray, so we had to put pieces of thin chipboard around the edges to stop all the hay constantly being pushed onto the floor by the critters. However, it was much much cheaper than buying a similar size rat cage, and I personally like having a wider space rather than vertical space like most cages

[@maxnova9763]

How much should you set aside per rat for vet and medicine costs to make their senior months as comfortable and pain free as possible?

[@arieannalee8642]

Does anyone know if the Eloise mouse portable cage and the Mitcheldean Small animal cages bars are 1/2 an inch apart or if the spaces are too big? (From Wayfair)

[@brainrotbagel4807]

Is it safe to use hot glue when making diy toys and stuff? Ive heard different opinions on this. Most hot glue is completely nontoxic but i just want to be sure.

[@karazore1718]

Most of my ropes and hammocks are made from old shirts and pants

[@burntbeansoup]

The foldable mccage is $40-50

[@mysteryarchives8073]

Hi, I've been thinking about getting a pet for quite a long time now, and I think getting some rats would be very suitable for my budget and lifestyle. The only thing that does concern me is vet bills. I will be able to easily afford them, so it isn't a problem, but can you give any estimation of how much I should expect to put aside for this? I'm in the UK, and all the estimations I have seen have a very large range and are for vets in America.

[@Emiology]

I’d recommend at least having £200-£300 aside at least at a time. Emergency vet visits if the rat is in respiratory distress at a weekend can be very costly but generally for one basic visit of needing antibiotics and things it tends to cost me around £60-£70 for consultation and meds 😊

[@grndzro777]

How are your allergies doing? It's pretty strange to develop a rat allergy so late in life. Could it possibly be the bedding?

[@Emiology]

A bit better now that I only have 3 boys. It’s not the bedding as I don’t react when I’m touching or standing over the mouse enclosure and I use the same bedding with them

[@ruikamishirosbiggestfan]

if i get a rat can i feed him cheerios

[@Emiology]

As an occasional treat low sugar ones are good 😊

[@MissAyame89]

I buy 5 pounds shuamite mix on Etsy for 60$. Is that about what it costs to make it?

[@Emiology]

That seems quite expensive. I pay £10 for 2kg for a premade shunamite mix (which is around 5 pounds) and it would likely cost less than that to make myself (it’s been a while since I made my own and prices have increased)

[@monah4107]

I’m just curious as to why you wouldn’t consider going bioactive for your rats?😊

[@Emiology]

I hated the experience with the mice and it’s double the bioload with a bigger animal 🥲

[@monah4107]

@@Emiology I feel like it would be easier with rats though, considering they use litter trays and have a cage with two floors. Which means they’re not constantly in the bioactive substrate, and have lots of other places to also do their business🤪 I haven’t gone bioactive yet, but have seen so many successes in the bioactive Facebook groups and from other friends! But I understand your precaution, it’s quite stressful when it doesn’t work as we want it to😅

[@Emiology]

I think that definitely does help, my current boys are gross and don't really use a litter tray so I made them one giant one. For me I do better with one big effort expenditure a month cleaning all the bedding out than worrying every day about whether the soil is wet enough, whether its smelling, turning it, adding in more clean up crew etc@@monah4107

[@monah4107]

@@Emiologyyeah bioactive is a lot of upkeep!

[@annasmith9491]

Are we getting a rat intro video soon? 🙏 🙏 ❤

[@Emiology]

This weekend 😊

[@annasmith9491]

@@Emiology yayyyy 🥰🥰 Can't wait

[@PHYTOPLANKTON1987]

Still much cheaper than a cat or dog 🎉

[@Patchouliprince]

Would not recommend having rats on a budget because those vet bills can get so dang sky high 😭 Speaking from very personal experience

[@Emiology]

I mentioned that at the start of the video. This is for people who already have rats and are struggling a bit 😊 Anything they save on the things mentioned leaves more money for vet bills

[@Patchouliprince]

@@Emiology ah yeah very true, I haven’t even watched yet because I’m at work right now (hehe) so I just clicked on it to keep it in my history for later

[@ToadyEN]

Tip 1-10 - don’t get them if you’re worried about money, vet bills are expensive!

[@sonofliberty1]

Whilst I agree with the gist of your comment (don't get a pet if you KNOW it's unaffordable for you to care for), finances change over time and any tips to help with pet care are welcome.

[@Emiology]

I think the majority of the population is worried about money at the moment. We’re in a cost of living crisis and the price of pet supplies and vet bills has doubled within the last year 😑

[@ToadyEN]

@@Emiology yep, I’m not hating. We’ve adopted quite a few rats recently where people have picked them up from pets at home and have been unable to pay vet costs (mainly respiratory) so it’s important people know that. It’s a misconception that they’re cheap 🐀

[@incanusolorin2607]

Who isn't worried about money?

[@shaerudisill5367]

Oh my goooooood, I reallyyyyyyy, want to watch your videoooooooos, buuuuuuut it’s unbearableeeee to listeeeeeen to you taaaaaalk.

[@Emiology]

Your loss 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@jamiedelgado1484]

I love these types of videos. Thanks Emi. I never get around to trying these things, and I really really want to. It sounds silly, but you seriously inspire me. 🫶😁

[@Emiology]

Thanks Jamie 🥹