Pre-Rat Checklist - What To Do/Get Before Bringing Home New Rats!

[@foreverdreaming]

My mom and dad are both vets who will treat rats. Phew!

[@awolfnamedgarry8633]

Lucky! I know a vet who is scared of rats!

[@sophieeerc]

Well that's convenient

[@michaela2886]

U are lucky

[@nakistar3183]

You so lucky if I where to be able to get rats I would have to search for months to find a rat vet!

[@hitsumiku30]

so luckyyy

[@kristinbenini7967]

I'm bringing home my girls on Friday. Perfect timing to make sure I'm ready!

[@ShadowTheRat]

CongRATs on the soon-to-be new ratties :)

[@kristinbenini7967]

Thanks! We have a big snow storm coming tomorrow! Glad the timing isn't going to mess up our plans!

[@club7q704]

Kristin Benini how are they now?

[@ramz3293]

How are they?

[@userbear1234]

Cool am getting my rats tomorrow:)

[@mindyvang4338]

I visited ur recommended amazon products and my mom said it’s okay if we can buy all of this for my two rats!! OMG IM SO EXCITED 😁😁

[@anonym1694]

Why just two?

[@lillibird23]

SAME!! IM ONLY NINE BUT IM GETTING 2 SATIN RATS! YAY!

[@j3ss3.d3ath]

I’m getting two dumbo rats, ur so lucky ur parents let you get all that stuff!

[@soycamlol]

And I thought I was ready. Time to hit the books again, well actually, the internet. Books (some not all) suck now when it comes to rat knowledge.

[@yolandathomas-going8609]

To solve that water bowl filled with bedding problem I reccommend using a bird water silo! because it has a small water drinking bowl ( small small) and stores water like a bottle - give it a try!

[@persontheperson5254]

No clue why some people hate these cute little guys! I love them!

[@diobrando1256]

They think that pet rat = wild rat

[@squirrelmanning7889]

@@diobrando1256 Even wild rats are harmless in parks etc as long as not in your home. But park rats are killed because 'people don't like seeing them.' Screw people, I'd rather look at ratz than dumb humans any day!

[@lexigymnast5258]

I’m getting a rat in two days SO EXCITED 😆

[@curse7469]

Just one?

[@idontevenusethisaccount6779]

Lexi Gymnast You need 2 or more. The rats will be depressed and lonely also, if you can’t fit 2 rats in your cage then it’s too small for one rat.

[@idontevenusethisaccount6779]

Sarah Childs No, they do get depressed. My vet even said so.

[@idontevenusethisaccount6779]

Sarah Childs They die faster. They usually die at 7 months to 1 year without a friend. They die at 2 years to 4 years with friends.

[@endlessmtnwildlife]

Great video! You discuss every major point all new rat owners should know. However, I disagree with your comment about avoiding regular wood chew toys. I know all rats are different and have their own preferences, but all of the rats I've had really enjoy wood chews. I just got 5 rambunctious young boys that will shred an entire wood chew toy in 2 nights. Maybe it's a male rat thing? Also, I like the slideshow format, but sometimes they went by too fast and I couldn't read all the text before the next one came up. Easily solved by pausing on that screen, which is also a benefit to the slideshow format. Once again, awesome video!

[@ShadowTheRat]

Good to know! Yeah, it’s just been my experience that my rats aren’t to “gung ho” about chew toys. They like certain ones (ecotrition cheese chews - which are more like a treat - are quickly taken care of!), but mostly ignore them in favor of other toys. I think my point was more that you want to have more active toys in the cage as well, all too often I’ve seen rat cage pictures with a wheel, hut, one hammock, and then 5-10 chew toys. And in that case, I think removing some chews and adding maybe a bendy tube or second platform/lava ledges would be more beneficial for the rats (although I really should have gone over lava ledges more - my girls use those for platforms, and they’re one of the only “chew-based” things hat they’ll consistently chew on!) Thanks for the input about the slide show format! I thought the cage section might have gone by too fast, I probably just tried to cram in too many pictures :P (originally I planned to speak about the hardware cloth part, but I forgot to. So I think that left the cage section a bit too short for all the pictures I included).

[@bohemianrat8191]

Shadow The Rat I agree, a very helpful vid! It’s interesting, I’ve had some rats that hardly pay any attention to wood chews, they will nibble it once and then never touch it again. But this set of females really like to destroy wood chews- I had bought this flimsy looking wood barbel and Tria went ham on it- even when I had the cage doors open and completely shredded it! But as far as chew toys go, it seems very individual based. Also I have been feeding my rats with the oxbow essentials food (the triangle pellets) to my rats for years- they love it so much so that I can even use it during training and it’s easy to break. I had always heard that you should leave a full bowl in there all the time, but anytime I increased the ration my rats got very fat, very quickly lol! But I just recently got a bag of the new garden select oxbow- they no longer eat it all at once like they did with the other kind. I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing- but they definitely aren’t as excited about it. Also I make my own seed mix- so much cheaper than store bought! And lasts forever. I would say they do pretty well at not being too selective- they just eat their favorite parts first but then once they are hungry later they eat the rest (aka, the wild rice is their least favorite). I think I will go back to the regular oxbow if I can find some.

[@dortewindmuller4942]

im getting three male rats soon, do you think that they have a really strong odour?

[@ioncekilledamanwithmyshoe]

Dorte Windmuller not super strong like mice, but they will smell most likely.

[@johnernest2779]

Very nice information as I plan on getting a critternation double cage in a few weeks. Thank you!

[@ShadowTheRat]

Ahh, that’s awesome! I miss my double CN-like cage - it was always so much to decorate, and then watch the rats explore!

[@idontevenusethisaccount6779]

For my old rats I would put oxbow food, birdseed, fruit and veggies, dry pasta, and sometimes a few treats at the bottom of the food. But I’m getting 2 dumbo babies in a few weeks and I’m super excited!

[@ShadowTheRat]

Ahh that's awesome, congRATs on your soon to be new ratties!

[@idontevenusethisaccount6779]

Shadow The Rat Ty! :)

[@meh.896]

REPEAT 👏RAT👏FUND. I like to have at least 50 per rat just in case. it is so sad how fast their health can change.

[@liambeckemeyer2499]

Awesome video as usual! I actually really like the slide show format because it is a visual aid. What I mean by this is as your explaining things pictures of the items are shown giving the viewer a better idea of what your talking about. I know that this video would have been a tremendous help to me when I was a new rat owner. That actually brings something up. Back when I first had rats I always found myself looking up whether or not certain foods were okay to give to rats, and always got very conflicting results. This is not a problem for me now, but some newer rat owners might be in that same position. What I am saying is that it would be really neat of you made a video explaining what you know about rats diets and what is okay for them to eat.

[@chrisbrowne6015]

I love your videos and I’m showing my mum that I can pay and keep may rats entertained

[@thatrat2316]

This was so useful! Thank you!

[@gamergagep1570]

Who would dislike this

[@vickiechandler3112]

Just ordered the scatterguard...it is due to come tomorrow... I think i will DIY one instead and send this back since the reviews on here concur with the video.

[@ShadowTheRat]

I used the scatter guard for a year and yup, I’d definitely look into other options. If you haven’t I’d highly recommend bass equipment pans for the critter nation - these are metal, 3 inches deep, and pretty much indestructible: They’re a bit pricey but before I got mine I talked to people who had used them for over 10 years with minimal wear, so I decided they were worth it (and 1.5 years later I stand by that - they make cleaning soooo much easier and I now never have any extra out of cage mess to deal with. Plus unlike cardboard or corrugated plastic or cement tubs it can’t be chewed). You can find the bass metal deep pans here: www.bassequipment.com/SCResult/Critter-Nation-Replacement-Pans-245 And I reviewed them in January here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGjFhpVsrqmZpdU&app=desktop

[@vickiechandler3112]

@@ShadowTheRat thanks for the tip...i will look into getting one. For the time being i am using foam core cut to height like a barrier around them . Wonderful stuff that., can make all kinds of fun ratty things with it..i wish i could post pics of the super 2 story hut i made for the new furballs. IF they chew it or pee on it..who cares, it is cheap to replace I didnt get a chance to go grab one of the cement tubs at least since my teen decided the day we got them (yesterday ) to come down with numberous pandemic like symptoms and we are in covid jail for the week. Well the new nervous girls are getting lots of attention..nothing else to do...(she is limited from them and me -high risk unless masked and gloved. Love your videos ...very informative. Wish the ppl who had these girls would have watched at least one. Poor rats, not abused but neglected.gonna take a while to socialize them

[@vickiechandler3112]

@@ShadowTheRat i hit the link..they arent that bad of a price...whats 10 bucks or so..the stupid scatter guard was 18$ Thanks again

[@nothanks4547]

Only nine comments!? Impossible! Lol, now there is 10.

[@BlueSkies360]

Soil from outside works wonders for litter. Include some grass. The smell is totally gone. The soil is full of enzymes, just water it when it becomes dry and stinky and turn the soil over. Enzymes will eat all the junk up. Grass will provide fresh vitamins and the soil is good for intestinal microbiota. Change the soil as needed, to get fresh grass. I change 1x a month for mice. Best of all it is free.

[@aprilbarbere]

I use a cat carrier for my big boy, Rocky He's almost a year old, and he's such a big boi

[@nakistar3183]

Is he a lone rat if he is I suggest getting him a friend

[@chloecurrie9124]

Hey I know that this video was made a while ago, but could you make a video or explain to me how you taught your rats to go up on your shoulders when they want out?

[@awerawer0708]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6TCn4yHjJmGY7s I'm a year late, but she already had a video on this. Hope you found it a year ago

[@madisonwiedman525]

Thank you this helped me so much

[@frostygirl6047]

I LOVE YOUR RSTD

[@frostygirl6047]

Rats

[@ashley-lo2xd]

I have a question about cages I have a big cage but the bar spacing is 0.55inch is this ok for young rats :))

[@cecilialagrutta5121]

That was great

[@random8614]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@crouchingidiot]

personally for free roam time i use my bathtub. they love it and it keeps them safe

[@jennyms1998]

I'm sorry for barging into your KZbin comments like this but I am in desperate need for advice and I don't know how else to contact you q-q My boys keep finding ways to break out of their cage, I just spent hours making a cardboard one like I saw on youtube, making the walls extra high but they solution to that problem was just climbing on me and jumping out from there. For some reason they are reeaally intent on getting to the other side of my room where my PC and fridge are? So obviously, the most potentially dangerous things in my room? They also like to climb up their cage and then jump again. Why are my rats so suicidal?

[@ShadowTheRat]

When you say cage, you mean play area right? Because the cardboard WILL NOT act as a permanent cage - and you need to be present whenever they are inside it. If you are using it like a free-range area, then your rats trying to get out once they get bored is perfectly normal. Rats are curious little guys, and unless you teach them to stay inside the pen, they will want (and will find!) a way out, just so they can explore more. The good news is that teaching them to stay inside the pen and communicate to you when they're done playing is pretty easy! The "bad" news is that for the first few days, you'll have to be very persistent and work hard to prevent them from ever escaping (I always say "once a rat figures a way out, they never forget it!" - and in my experience, this is completely true!). I actually made a video on the process of teaching your rats to stay inside the play-pen, which you can view here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6TCn4yHjJmGY7s Basically, this video demonstrates how you can train your rats to stay inside the playpen, and climb onto your shoulders when they're done playing. At first, its all about prevention - that and redirecting them to our new target behavior (climbing onto your shoulder to communicate their needs). If your rats have trouble shoulder climbing/you don't like them doing that, then you can teach the exact same concept with a platform. It might take a few days for them to internalize the concept, especially since they've escaped before. But if you prevent them from escaping work on this training over the next few days, free-range will become MUCH less stressful (its really awesome being able to watch a movie/read a book/play a game etc. Without worrying about the rats getting out - at this point coming to me when they want out is a such an ingrained habit that they never try digging/jumping out, and its given my shyer girl cream a confidence boost (both with people and new areas) to boot!) Above all, you'll need to be consistent. My Berry and Cookie were expert escape artists, with Latte and Cream not far behind them. But by teaching them to communicate with me, their escape behavior has totally stopped, and they really seem to enjoy having a way to communicate their wants directly :)

[@jennyms1998]

Thanks for the answer! the cardboard play pen is right next to their cage since my room is very small, they climbed up my back unto my shoulder and jumped on top of their cage from there and then tried jumping from the cage down onto the floor again... I actually watched that video of yours, I wanted to try it but I don't know where to put the other 3 while I am training one of them. I only have either the cage, playpen or transport box, which seems kinda harsh. And if they stay inside the cage, they'll climb out the moment it opens and well they break out of the playpen, apparently. Guess I really need a second person to babysit them every now and then

[@ShadowTheRat]

Actually the solution here is easy: train all of them at once! That’s how I trained this behavior, and how I recommend people train it. That’s because rats really do copy and amp each other up, so you’ll be working with them over and over and suddenly one will get it, and 15 seconds later the other 3 understand just as well! But seriously, I trained this behavior with all 4 girls out. Berry understood first (actually she more or less taught me what to do!), then I had her and the others practice together to teach the others super quick! (This is also how I train come btw, just train them all together and once on gets it, the others understand within seconds! Rats train other rats way better than us humans it seems :P) And if you absolutely must train one on one, just give the other 3 good treats inside the cage. The cage actually is a very positive place for them, so this is really only to alleviate any guilt you feel. My girls will ask to go to the cage when tired because they like it, but that doesn’t mean they won’t jump out the second I open the door. They like being with me and “in the action” so to speak, but the cage holds no negative meaning to them.

[@nataliafrost178]

my (quite old) male rat, CHEWED A FIST SIZED HOLE IN HIS CAT CARRIER! he's quite the escape artist despite his age, but I didn't even know any rat was capable of that.

[@bella-cb6gv]

is Kaytee Clean and Cozy Bedding for Small Animals safe for pet rats?

[@ShadowTheRat]

Its safe, but dusty and not great at odor control or urine absorption. I would avoid any purely paper bedding because they all have these issues - if you want it for the color then you can mix a bit with a better bedding like kiln dried pine or yesterdays news, but otherwise I'd avoid purely paper stuff.

[@bella-cb6gv]

Shadow The Rat ok thank you :) i was wanting it for the colour but i think i’m gonna go with fleece and unscented dog pee pads

[@ShadowTheRat]

@@bella-cb6gv Careful with the pee pads, some can be dangerous if chewed. Fleece can also be a lot more work so if it isn't working out don't be afraid to switch to bedding (I've tried it twice and found it just too much work to keep up with, especially since I have a large group of rats)

[@bella-cb6gv]

Shadow The Rat ok :) i’m getting rats soon and i’m trying to find the right stuff to get them, if fleece doesn’t work out i will be switching to bedding :)

[@bella-cb6gv]

Shadow The Rat do you know any brands or types of pee pads that aren’t danger go

[@kathrynbarnett5423]

Just a quick question about water source can rats be given tap water or does it have to be filtered/bottled to be safe for them?

[@ShadowTheRat]

As long as your tap water is safe for humans, then its also safe for rats. If you have to use bottled yourself though due to hard water or any other reason, then you need to also I've the rats bottled. In my area the tap water is consumption safe so I give all my rats tap water too.

[@kathrynbarnett5423]

@@ShadowTheRat thank you 😊 that really helps. 😊

[@wredmonds]

Hello what rat cage do you recommend for two new rats I’m having trouble finding one that is suited for my living conditions

[@blakefarnsworth]

What the heck‽ Researching getting pet rats and trying to educate myself, and there's a picture from my house at 1:07 (top left) as a "what not to do"! I had dwarf hamsters in those cages, so hopefully it wasn't as bad for them as it would be for rats? My hamsters certainly had long(ish), happy lives in that "tank", so I don't think they suffered too badly for it.

[@lal0ray]

getting 3 boys soon xxx

[@ratprince1114]

do rats need a colorful environment?

[@youdroppedsomething4334]

They don’t care what anything looks like, a colorful environment would just be for you

[@wredmonds]

I already thought of names for my rats(that I haven’t gotten yet ) coco , crumble , espresso , bounty, Twix, reo, you can use eny of these names if you want to gotta go nat the rat out....................

[@squirrelmanning7889]

We had a Twix and her litter sister Crunchie. X

[@wredmonds]

We’re did you get your rats they are marvelous ! (The picture on the left is my dad not me)just call me nat the rat!!!!

[@Sophia-mh8iy]

How much was your big cage

[@sophieeerc]

It's usually 240 dollars.. At least the ones I've seen.(for a whole cage not like just the add on)

[@sophieeerc]

I just realized ur name is Sophie too ahah

[@youdroppedsomething4334]

240 for a DCN (Double critter nation) 130 for a SCN (Single critter nation) I recommend these cages. It depends on how many rats you have

[@daisysoto2115]

Now 12!!!

[@lucy_galaxy9586]

What kind of fleece’s would be okay for rats ?

[@ShadowTheRat]

There’s no special fleece for rats, really just any store bought fleece once washed will do. Felt also works well, but both have the issues of being nonabsorbent and having no odor control so if you use them as a main bedding make sure to have an underpad. If you use them for hammocks or such though rats don’t tend to mark them enough to need frequent cleaning in my experience so I clean them whenever I change the cage

[@lucy_galaxy9586]

Shadow The Rat Alright thankyou !!!

[@wredmonds]

I got a Amazon gift card for Christmas and your video has helped me see that there are so many thing for rats on Amazon thank you sososo much for helping me I would love if you got back to me! Shadow the rat!!!!!

[@wredmonds]

I want to give my rats the best life possible it is so sad that they don’t live that long . My dad is going to hike the pesifik crest trail and I’m going in a rv can my rats come to

[@logannesnowboundfuzzykitty204]

What should I get for free range toys besides making a cardboard castle?

[@ShadowTheRat]

Lots of things can be great toys - normal cardboard boxes, space pods, fun tunnels, and just about anything safe. I did a rat haul a while back with tons of cool rat toys you can check out here if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4TCpnhmiNKJbac

[@KayCaprii]

Where would I keep newborn rats?

[@wredmonds]

I’m 11 years old and my sister wants a cat can cats be friends with rats. and are rat vets rare we are moving to California and I’ve bin using up all my spare time researching by the way I love your videos they are so helpful

[@ilinca29]

I'm from Romania, how can I get those thigs?

[@ShadowTheRat]

I’d guess that you could find similar things online. Many things like toys and even cages can be makeshift’s as well and food can consist of a homemade diet. So the only real issue is finding a vet and in my experience most cat and dog vets will at least try to treat rats even if they don’t have too much experience in that area.

[@ilinca29]

Thank you

[@hamsterlover-fo2gk]

Do recommend Whimzee dog treats because I have watched other rat toutubers and they say there perfectly fine what's anyone's opinion

[@ShadowTheRat]

Ive heard a lot of good things from other rat owners using them but personally I’ve never used them. They should be safe to use so if you want to provide them with one or two every week or so you can.

[@wendywithagun]

Could you please add metric measurements in your videos as well?

[@vickiking6562]

My rats like to sleep in hats

[@QuestionableOrganSystems]

6:14 when ur parents are rich

[@sukhbeersingh300]

Hlo i like your voice and u ❤❤❤

[@natalietaylorsversion6579]

IMM GETTING RATS TOMMORW AHHHHHHH

[@riwkahverhoogt]

So much great Info! Subscribe!

[@maazi-moo8153]

I hade a hamster and it would always get into the heater and one day it bike my heater

[@youdroppedsomething4334]

You should’ve made your cage escape-proof.

[@cindyjones6575]

Hey ppl i also use this www.mypetwarehouse.com.au/vetafarm-rodent-origins-2kg-p-14676?gclid=CjwKCAjwzenbBRB3EiwAItS-u6LCHrg91mXGO5O6rm6TfNedqYYtLlvxLmcC7y4-w0Cuy2fG3ZAkUBoCOdQQAvD_BwE which is a bit like lab blocks as they contain everything ( I think) and its's super tasty for the rats so you can use it as normal food or treats. Have a great day! xx

[@skicy7649]

im obsessed with rats but im probably not gonna get one until im 18

[@youdroppedsomething4334]

More than one*

[@gamergagep1570]

YEAH IM TALKING TO YOU 7 DISLIKERS

[@kiwiwithmaiov242]

I just adopted a rat, and i don't have an appropriate cage for them, not too many toys and money... I will have to run now to get all of this... God saves me pls Edit: My mom is super economic and won't buy any of these for me... I already tried

[@shanepugsley6105]

You dont need all that