Rat Advice.

[muggglewump]

I got DD a pair of rats for Christmas. They have been absolutely fine, brilliant and we love them to bits.

DD had them out at around 6pm yesterday and they were fine. I went to check on them at around 11 before I went to bed and one had died.

I've had the other one out today and find my hands have come up in what look like bites. I can't find any trace of fleas on her, but this has never happened before.
Neither rat has been out of the house, or around other animals.

What could this be, and could it have caused our rat to die?

Where did you get the rats from? Did they have any outward signs of illness such as breathing heavily or noisily? Could onehave fallen in the cage at all?

I got them from a pet shop.

No, I don't think she had fallen. I was in the room the whole time. She was curled up in her usual sleeping position, but had died. There were no signs of anything at all being wrong with her.

DD and I are gutted, and the rat we have left (Pumpkin) seems a bit lost without her sister (Squash).

If you got them from a pet shop, it doesn't suprise me, tbh. Pet shop rats are (except in very occasional circumstances) farmed, in worse conditions than battery hens, overbred and inbred with no consideration to welfare, longevity or health whatsoever.

You can't really keep the remaining rat alone, it's not fair and she may start to bite if she gets nervous, which lone rats can. I really wouldn't recommend buying any more pet shop rats though.

If you look on the NRFS website, they will email you a list of registered breeders in your area, who breed for longevity, temprement and health and you'd be amazed at the difference between those and pet shop rats. You can also show well bred rats if you chose to. Your best bet would be to get two young rats as your existing rat would accept youngsters more easily and then if and when she does sadly pass away, you'll not be left with a lone rat again.

Sorry, I've just realised the above sounds bit preachy, obviously whether you get another rat is up to you, and where you get it from.

I have over 20 rats, plus babies and they are wonderful pets.

I have read about farmed rats since I got mine, I really had no idea before that so please don't think I was condoning such practice.

I will not be leaving our rat alone, she is missing her friend, so I'll get another for her, but how long should I wait, and do I have to get two more or is one OK?

Also, if I have to get two, will the cage be big enough?

I am keen to do the best for the rat I have left. We really look after our pets (we have a cat and goldfish too), and want to do the best for them.

It's OK, a lot of people aren't aware of where pet shop rats come from. I wasn't critiscising, just offering the information.

I would probably get your existing rat checked over by a vet first, just to rule out any illnesses, but other than that, you could get another rat/rats as soon as you liked. The sooner the better probably.

You could get just one, but most breeders would only let rats go in pairs or more, even if you have an existing rat for the above reason. Depending on what cage you have, and how well 'furnished' it is, it might be big enough for three does, what sort of cage is it?

It's this cage

I will get her checked over by the vet on Monday, that's a good idea.

Would three rats not leave one out?

Three rats won't leave one out, no, but your cage is too small for three rats, personally, I'd say it is a push for two does, but if you have lots of hammocks and toys in it and the rats are allowed out for plenty of free ranging, then it's not so bad.

You might struggle to get a single rat from a breeder, but you never know. What area are you in? I might know of someone in your area, or know someone who will.

We have lots of toys in the cage and they are out every day at least once. DD usually has them out by 7am.

I'm nearish Glasgow, and though I'd love a bigger cage, and will get one when I can, it won't be for a couple of months I'd think due to washing machine breaking.