Lucian and Vladimir

[Ashling]

First of all, I recommend getting rats hand-raised by breeders and not from pet shops like I did. Same reasons as you get birds (and any animals really) from a breeder rather than a pet shop- health, history, temperament and for the betterment of the species/ breed. I was silly and went for colors and convenience, but also made sure I checked the more important aspects.
There were two black ones so I chose the one that didn't leap out of my arms and try to run away! I did a health check as best I could and he seemed ok for a pet shop rat, if not a little dirty with "wood shaving dust" in his fur. The white one I chose was more friendly than any of the other white ones, he had beautiful dark maroon eyes instead of that bright red and he didn't have a runny nose like some of the other white rats.
They are settling well into their new home. They are pretty timid and run into their house and frighten easily. All the babies need is time. They are starting to learn that my hand= treats! I am proud to say they eat from my hand and do not bite, not even if they mistake my finger for food. The "wood shaving dust" I noticed on the black male? Lice eggs I'm pretty sure. I guess I can't see them on the white one but I'll have to treat them both with revolution. Lucian was sneezing today- I'm hoping it's because of their sensitive respiratory systems reacting to the wood shavings the pet shop kept them on rather than him having a cold or something.
Today I gave them a warm bath in diluted white vinegar to get their coats clean. They got dry crawling around and falling asleep in my warm dressing gown. We had a 'get to know you' session on the bed this evening. After a while they would come running to me when they got spooked, and hide in my lap

Opposites


Nom nom nom extra protein for growing babies!


Kornflakes with peanut butter! Yum!


Lucian making the cutest face and Vlad going exploring


In the water dish (they don't know how to use the water bottle yet!)


I love it when they stand up like little people! :)


You can see Vlad's white belly patch- meaning he is a "berkshire."


They both got a small drink of leftover cereal milk! Also, they live for their fresh fruit and veg! I don't think they had ever eaten it at the pet shop. Last night they had spaghetti (without sauce) for dinner and tonight they had peas, carrots, rice and chicken. They think they must have died and gone to heaven!


Goodbye! Thanks for visiting!

[Andie]

They are so cute. They are going to have the best life with you! I love Vlad's pic in the waterbowl. It is as if he is saying "excuse me, But I am having a bath, do you mind?!"

It sucks that they were sick! It really annoys me when pet shops don't look after their animals because it gives us all a bad name!! Does their fur look good other than being dirty? Have you checked that there is no mange with the possible lice? I am so glad you 'rescued' them from their squalor!

Any chance of a video soon to go with the pics?

[Ashling]

Some pets hops are good but you have to admit, looking around the world, the majority are pretty crap. The babies' fur is good aside from the lice; very fluffy and full. I did check it but I thought the flecks were pieces of dust, not eggs. I wish I had looked closer. You can see the eggs in the water dish picture. Their skin is fine as far as I can see.
I will see what I can do about a video tomorrow, they are napping right now ;) They woke me up at 2am last night and I had to secure something that kept rattling as they jumped about! Luckily it didn't wake my bf as he had to be up at 6am and I want him to like them (he doesn't like Ashling cause she yells but he loves Peanut cause he's quiet- he says Peanut is "his!" haha) He calls the rat 'Master Splinter' and "Rattus" ...so original!

[red192]

I love that last one. I use to have pet mice. I had Gold Nugget, Cashew, Pnut, and Sydney. They were rotten! I had em for years and finally stopped being a parent to them when they all passed away. My mom even liked them.

[Ashling]

I found them like that this morning. Vlad looked like a widdle puppy dog sleeping in his kennel. Your mice had cute names, my last three were Nightmite, Isis and Wednesday. It's a shame they live such short lives isn't it?

[Andie]

My rats learned how to open their door. My lovebird taught them! She waddled up to their cage and lifted the door up and down a few times. Now they know how to do it! Off to buy more cage clips...

This is what happens when you let them play together, even supervised!

[Ashling]

haha that's cute they are so clever! Do they get along Andie? I'll tell you the funniest story? I had the birds in their cages and the rats on my bed running around. Ashling was standing as close to us as her cage would let her, and making kissy noises and screaming cause she wanted to come out and join us. I talked to her (when she wasn't screeching) but other than that my attention was focused on the rats. Well jealousy is an amazing thing. She said two new words in 5 minutes!!! She made kissy noises then said "kiss" and also said "step up" cause she wanted my to get her out! I HAD to get her out after that. She went to go straight up to the rats to say hi but I was a bit hesitant and didn't let them together.

[Ashling]

LUCIAN JUST USED THE LITTER BOX! He ran right over to it, sat there with his little tail in the air and did his number ones! What a clever little bubby!

[Emmilyy]

hmmph. you posted these pics just to make me jealous, didn't you? just because you have cute rattie baies doesn't mean you have to flaunt them! :P

[Ashling]

Originally Posted by Emmilyy

just because you have cute rattie baies doesn't mean you have to flaunt them! :P

Yes it does ;)

Sleepy babies


I woke him up when I got the camera lol


Hmm... Flea is more of a bird person than a rat person, unfortunately.


My room in a nutshell (rat tank is behind me on the desk)

Oh... of course Peanut is showing off, seeing as I got the camera out.