Sadly, our first rat, Isabella, died from a respiratory infection only
a week and a half after we brought her home. The good news is that the
vetrinarian, Dr. Sidner, who treats exotics also maintains a
population of rats for large snake food (We also have a snake that
needs pinkie mice. It is the circle of life.) He offered us one of his
and that is how we now have Gracie.
Initially we outfitted a ten gallon tank for her with the
understanding that it would be temporary housing. I scanned the web
and considered options such as constructing my own cage. We decided on
a cage by Coast Cages in California. They make the whole thing here in
the good 'ol USA and send it to you intact. Overall I am pleased but I
did make some improvements.
To avoid the dangers of a wire floor, I cut pieces of vinyl flooring
to fit and secured them with wooden clothes pins (the kind with no
spring). On the ramps, I cut rectangles of astro-turf and secured with
binder clips. All these materials were scavenged from my house so
required no additional investment.
For bedding, we are using a recycled-paper pellet in the bottom tray
and vintage cloth diapers on the upper floors. These were saved by my
mother and passed on to me. I use half of them at a time and swap out
each week to wash. Yes, I am a bit of a pack rat.
Gracie seems to bee happy in her new home and finallly figured out the
wheel - that needed lubricant - at three in the morning on day. The
wheel is solid enameled metal with little wire treads.
Further, we also have four cats who now must stay inside all the time.
The cage needed to be in the living /family room so for privacy, I
wrapped three sides of the cage with a grass beach mat.
So that is the story of our Gracie's new home. As yet she have not
chewed the vinyl or the clips.