Getting 2 male rats, is this everything I will need?

I'm going to be getting 2 male rats soon and I want to make sure I have all the supplies they will need to be happy and healthy. Here's my list:





CAGE AND ACCESSORIES





-Cage: Midwest Critter Nation (single level version)


-Extra platform for cage (so in total they would have 3 stories to play on)


-Bedding: Fleece liners (I will be litter training the rats)


-Carefresh Ultra bedding (extra bedding so that the rats can make their beds comfy and have something to rip/shred)


-Litter Pan with Yesterday's News litter


-Piece of slate or rock to wear down their nails





BEDS





-Comfy bed: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753370


-Hammock (I will make my own out of fleece)


-Coffee mug with fleece inside





TOYS





-Tunnel (an old sock :-)


-Bird perch/branch


-Rope to climb on (either a bird or dog toy with knots)


-Wood chews (with natural flavors)


-Ferret toy balls (will probably supervise with them since they are plastic)


-Cardboard tubes


-Wodent Wheel (large size)? (I've heard male rats don't use them much, so this is a maybe depending on their activity level)





FOOD





Note: I already know which kinds of food they shouldn't eat (orange juice, onions, peanut butter, etc.)





-Water bottle


-Two feed dishes


-Harlan Teklad lab blocks 8604


-Dried and fresh fruit/veggies


-Various other healthy foods (whole grain breads, cereals etc.)


-Treats (e.g. yogies)





MISC.





-Safe animal shampoo for the occasional bath


-Nearby vet and emergency hospital that specialize in exotics


-Time outside of the cage everyday to play


-Personal attention and love from me :-)








Is there anything I'm forgetting? Thanks!|||I wouldn't waste money on the wheel. It's kind of rare for any rat, male or female, to use one. As for food, they actually CAN have peanut butter. It just needs to be added to something else such as a cracker, celery, or it can be watered down, mixed with jelly, etc. Also, I'd suggest getting HT 2016 or 2014 instead of 8604. The 2016/2014 is made specifically for rats. 8604 is for growing, pregnant, nursing mice, hamsters, and other rodents.


You can check out my site for tons of info and treat ideas :)


http://www.tessastarrsrats.weebly.com|||Yes, The rats themselves. You have this list, but nowhere on it do I see rats. Also, don't get too carried away. Rats are happy animals who love human contact. All I have is cage, bedding, food and dish, water bottle, rope do-dad for parrots, wood chews and a small house for them to sleep in. They're perfectly content.|||You have everything you need and more. Rats don't play with toys that often so you don't need to put a lot of toys in with them, you don't want to croud the cage!|||Yes. To get them neutered. There are too many up-sides to this to ignore that it is something that needs doing. Otherwise, you're TOTALLY up on your info! Very nice and....





Good luck!!!|||Wow you've got everything as far as I can see except a small rodent brush is good to have it keeps their fur soft and healthy|||coffee mug for a bed?!?!?! do you have giant coffee mugs or something? male rats get really big!|||Nope!! I think your on a roll haha! I have had rats before and now my brother has one, and I don't think you missed anything just maybe get some first aid type stuff and remember this, you can ask your vet for sure but I think that male rats cant be caged together unless babies after they are just born but females can be together and if you get a male and a female then well there's babies soon to come...... But your vet can probably say for sure.


and don't get those wheels where you put them inside and they can run around because I think its bad for their spine, you can also ask about this to your vet, but I don't think it was on your list anyway


You could Also try getting a animal planet book of rats and it will say a lot or magazines and other books.


I hope I helped! :)





p.s.


OH!!! and they love hiding houses if you didn't think of that! :D lol|||wow, your pretty much sorted :)


WELL DONE for doing your research - you wouldnt believe how many people just go ahead and get one rat and have no clue about how best to care for them, and they just dont listen to people! You should feel really proud of yourself. Your going to be a fantastic rat owner by the sounds of it.


And, well done for getting your rats from a rescue centre- you will be giving some rats a perfect, warm, loving home for them to live out the rest of their days,they may have not had the best start in life, so they will be full of love for you :)


I have 8 rats and the moment, (we had an accidental litter thanks to a very stupid rat breeder) but i wouldnt give them up for the world! I wanted babies to begin with because i wanted to know what its like to have them young so i could see all life stages. But i know i wont be able to imagine my life without rats now so once mine are gone *i will be devistated when they go* i want to give some less fortunate rats a loving home.


You wont regret getting males, they are unbelievably soppy :P I gave two of my males from my litter to my nan, and everytime i go round their, i get them out and snuggle up on my neck and brux away - they are that happy to see me, it melts my heart, i just want to bring them home again. They are beautiful boys and i get kisses and cuddles from mine all the time. Girls are gorgeous too (i have 6 now :S haha) but they are so much more hyper and playful lol they dont like my kisses and cuddles so much :P


Dont worry if they are shy and timid in the beggining, they just need to learn to trust and love you, a bit of patience, time and love is all that is needed to make them the perfect pets :)





I dont think you have forgotten anything. All i can say is that i tried fleece bedding and gave up on it. It just soaked up all the pee and i couldnt ever get the smell out completely. It made the cage absolutely stink and made my ratties sneeze :( so i threw it out.


You said youd make hammocks out of fleece - i use the legs of old pairs of jeans. Its really easy and mine love theirs. Its easier to wash. But see how you go with fleece, it may work for you.





Good luck, im really excited for you, keep us updated as to how you and your boys are going :):):)