Baby Banjo, my heart rat. I love him so much 😭💓

Hi, I'm 31 and just moved from my parent's place into a rented flat of my own. It's in a small town with good transport links in Suffolk, England. Given that my flat is a good size and my landlord seems okay with rats, as long as I keep them clean and tidy, I'm thinking of getting some in early next year. Around March or April.

I've been reading websites, online guides, and looking up good breeders in my area, but I was wondering if there were any good books or at least printable PDFs out there? Something I can put in a file or folder for quick and easy reference, or blutak to the wall next to their cage so I know their needs at a glance.

I'm autistic with a sprinkle of depression and anxiety, so I wanna be extra super-duper prepared. I want Boy Scouts to look at me and say "Holy shit, calm down, you are TOO prepared, Jesus Christ.". I want my future babies to boggle through a zombie apocalypse or nuclear war without a whisker out of place, if you pick up what I'm putting down here.

Both. It was both of them.

Hi, so in September I got 2 rats, Gray and Black (I'll refer to them that). Black one is very social, loves tickles and lets me pick him up with no problem. I am worried for the Gray one though. He's very skittish, instantly runs to any if the houses he's got, he peeks out and takes food from my hand, sometimes lets me pet him a little. They've both got a large cage and I let them run around the room that I "child" proofed for them. But he won't let me pick him up no matter what I do, i tried the "scoop" technique in case he'd be scared of having a hand grab him from above but it doesnt work either, he'd jump and run very fast to get away. He does get on my hand to get snacks I put but runs as soon as I slightly move it. Is he just an anxious bean who doesnt like being picked up? Ik different animals have different personalities but I am a bit worried for him. I didnt specify every taming method I did but if it's nessecary I'll reply but I'd like advice. Thank you all in advance, also English is not my first language so sorry for any mistakes.

hello all, I wanted to ask if it would be safe for 2 rats to stay in a 40 gallon cage for one night (two at most) one of my boys is sick and we don't have a travel cage to go home for Christmas so my sibling is offering their old 40 gallon tank so I can come up and celebrate. I wanted to check to see if that would be OK for one night (we'd let them out and play during the day), the top is made of chicken wire so hammocks and stuff can be hung as well

Barnes, Nobel, and Reid wish everyone a happy holidays!

so i have two rats and one of my babies had a lump in his throat and on his back he passed away last night today i just notice a bump on my other rats face and its really small idk what to do im not ready for them both to go. what is this a sign of?? is there anything to help it

Hello! Our rat, Monkey (pictured) has recently been diagnosed with a genetic heart condition, and she's been put on Pimobendan. We were wondering if anyone here has had any experience with this medication? How will her lifespan be affected? Her lifespan on this medication is our main concern :(

My (19m) gf (19f) and I had a hamster who died today unfortunately, and her mother went out and surprised us with two rats (Mylo, and Moose) we are in the financial position to take care of them, we just don’t really know what we’re doing when it comes to rats. We are doing research and figuring it out but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask. So please share any advice you have for beginners.

poor boy Smiles hasn’t been smiling lately 😭 he had an abscess cleaned out and then some necrotic tissue fell off. So now he’s going to be in baby jail with a cone until it’s healed. Lots of manuka honey and yogis to come

What the title says we own two lovely boys but we’re trying figure out what they can and can’t eat as google has conflicting statements

hi, i just got 5ish week old rats from the RSPCA. they are quite small, as you would expect from such young rats, and i am having a huge problem finding cages that will suit them. the cage i bought didn’t work - they fit through the bars with absolute ease. i’m currently using an old dog travel kennel that i added mesh wiring to so they couldn’t get out, and they seem happy enough - the only problem is that i was only planning on getting 2 rats, but ended up with 3, so this temporary cage isn’t big enough for all three. i can’t seem to find any cage that has a reasonable price (i’m on a decently tight budget) and won’t allow them to fit through.

so my question is: are there any cages that you might suggest? or should i wait until they grow to then get a cage that they probably won’t be able to fit out of?

if you would like a photo of their current living situation, then i shall do so.

thanks!

Did some shopping and got really exicted cos it's summer so watermelons in season and perfect there's some large pieces for $1.50 my girls will be so happy

Chop up some pieces and give them to my girls. They spent their time slowly putting away the water melon .I come out and she's eating. She's eating the green part of the watermelons.. you have these big yummy red parts and you're eating the green parts.

Fauna isn't very smary

I need help finding a name for one of my little ladies! Sweet or silly names preferred. My other two ladies are named Toast and Professor X if it helps! Dont mind the bad picture, she was very excited and had the zoomies.

My rat Taco (1y) is on medication for seizures, has been fine but this morning I found her with a weird eye and lip. I’m also not strangling her just tried to pose her head for a photo 😭

Help!! I cant tell if it’s from fighting or if it needs a vet visit.

We are getting our two girls next week and are so excited! It’s been almost 20 years since I’ve had a rat. What shavings do you prefer? I’d like to get something with minimal dust. Appreciate any advice 😊

Currently working on a better version that will fit better but Percival was happy to model as long as he got an extra treat for it!

I've got 4 girls in here. The cardboard on top is to stop them from immediately climbing down the back of the cage when they get up there lol

hello all, I wanted to ask if it would be safe for 2 rats to stay in a 40 gallon cage for one night (two at most) one of my boys is sick and we don't have a travel cage to go home for Christmas so my sibling is offering their old 40 gallon tank so I can come up and celebrate. I wanted to check to see if that would be OK for one night (we'd let them out and play during the day), the top is made of chicken wire so hammocks and stuff can be hung as well

To start, I've done a lot to try and help, but I can no longer take care of my rats. Mentally I'm unable to care for them as they need, they deserve so much more than I can give them. Attention wise, care wise, the only think I'm consistent with is feeding them. I've tried all that I can and I don't know what to do next. I don't have anyone near me willing to take them in, I don't know of any resources near me to be able to give them up. I will not just release them in the wild, but I need to give them up. What can I do?