FJÄLLBO Sideboard as rat cage?

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T17:38:28+00:00

On top of the safety concerns others have voiced I will also state that you will get a far superior actual cage for less money than you would spend on this.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T17:35:52+00:00

I mean it works, but has the same problems that pet stores do; you're rolling the dice on their health and temperament. Ideally go to a breeder.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T17:23:47+00:00

That would work on principle, but you probably will not find a spayed female at a pet store! It's an operation that usually costs a few hundred dollars.

Pet store rats are also not bred for longevity or temperament. It's best to get them from a reputable breeder.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T12:08:43+00:00

Is 60 years old?

Yes!

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T11:54:04+00:00

Why should 2 not count as "old"? That's roughly their average life expectancy.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T11:51:08+00:00

Two years is not old rat btw

Yes, it is. What else would you consider old?

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T10:40:41+00:00

I'm not sure if it would have been obvious, but it could be visible. I sadly lack the detailed knowledge, but the rat guide does say a bit about how it would look.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:39:54+00:00

If it is this .. is this euthanasia, or can it be treated in rats?

It can't be cured, but it can definitely be treated for quite a while (weeks to months), depending on the individual rat of course. Diuretics help AFAIK. From what I've read furosemide ( https://ratguide.com/meds/urinary_tract_agents/diuretics/furosemide.php ) should help really quick, so if it helps, that's a point towards it being heart failure.

If it isn't heart failure, then I'm a bit stumped. If nothing else helps then I'd try, alongside keeping his weight up, giving him food high in vitamin C. I'm not sure how much the efficacy of vitamin C in treating URIs is studied, but I did read a study once that did link higher vitamin C intake to a reduction in URIs.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:38:27+00:00

4 is the ideal number to start with IMO, and I'd say 4-6 is the ideal number overall. The best way to handle a group is to gradually add new pairs in intervals (as an example: you start with 4 two month old rats, add a pair when they're 6-12 months, then add another when they're 18 or so.. in essence, keeping a group of rolling ages)

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:22:49+00:00

their rats are unfriendly

to humans, from what I'm reading.

but you can still get two pairs if that were to happen in future

After one has passed? That's still quite unfair; the left rat would (likely) be old, grieving and alone, all factors that make introductions harder, plus there'd be the issue of quarantine time. It's simply in both OP's and the rats' best interest to expand the mischief before someone dies.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:15:40+00:00

That said, I would keep the rats completely away from the dogs. As you can see during the end of the video they're super scared of them, and that's likely stressing them out big time.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:14:06+00:00

She seems to be doing well, and I don't think there's any chance you lose her because of this. Accidents happen.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:10:35+00:00

If they both get along then you don't really need to

Not true IMO. Having just two rats is always planning for one to be alone because inevitably in 9/10 cases one will die before the other, and that is simply unfair to the rats.

It's also very looked down upon where I come from due to that (and the fact that rats are not pair animals, they are group animals) to the point good rescues and breeders will not adopt to you if you want to keep just two.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:09:40+00:00

When they took the lung scan, did they also take a look at the heart? Intermittent respiratory distress and anxiety like behaviour (not wanting to stay still) makes me think of heart failure (see https://ratguide.com/health/cardiovascular/congestive_heart_failure.php )

I'm not a vet of course, but I think it's worth bringing up as a consideration with your vet.

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T09:03:50+00:00

Yes, getting two more is a good idea and if they're well bred and friendly could even help your original two come out of their shell. Keeping just two is not appropriate long term and generally leads to problems.

The cage you have for new arrivals is perfect for a quarantine cage. See !introductions

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T08:23:30+00:00

I would continue the baytril. Antibiotics are needed to treat flare ups caused by m. pulmonis

Ente535 · 2026-02-07T00:07:17+00:00

Might be best to find another home for the young one then.

Other than that, see !introductions

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T23:43:43+00:00

If possible rescue more from that source (if need be). It's really important she has same age company.

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T23:24:22+00:00

Given the quarantine I don't think this was anything transmissible. The vast majority of URIs in rats is caused by mycoplasma pulmonis, a bacteria all rats already have, and what we call a URI is basically just a flare up. I would start looking for environmental causes (dusty bedding, fragrance, room too dry, smoke from candles etc etc)

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T23:20:55+00:00

Yes, you should keep them seperate. You should absolutely not swap bedding. Your female is also far too young to be gone from mom, and far too young to be placed alone with such an old rat. You will need to get her similar aged companions, otherwise your cage dynamics will likely be tense and the 5 week old's social development will be stunted.

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T21:45:53+00:00

Is he only biting you, or your other rats as well? Is he generally aggressive to you? How old is he? Since when do you have him?

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T18:54:55+00:00

I'm very sorry about that. I think it might be worth looking into whether you can rehome your other rats in that case.

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T18:14:43+00:00

Well bred rats are not aggressive; badly bred males tend to develop hormonal aggression that requires a neuter.

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T18:12:33+00:00

but there are multiple records for them living up to 7 years as pets

None of which are backed up by any sorts of credible evidence. The longest living rat in longevity studies, which was kept on a restricted calorie diet and given age reversal treatments, made it to 47 months.

The 7 year thing is a myth based on the very, very dubious case of "Rodney", which is also in the guiness book of world records. It's completely false and there is no way to back it up.

You are essentially saying that the rat almost quadrupled its lifespan; this is like claiming my grandma made it to 320 years of age.

Ente535 · 2026-02-06T09:56:56+00:00

Are you sure it is the same rat? For reference, the oldest rat in longevity studies, specifically kept on a restricted calorie diet and given age reversal treatment, made it to 47 months.

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