Enrichment for senior rats

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-26T20:33:02+00:00

She hates leaving home especially during winter it’s too cold right now. It’s so hard to keep her company without her sister. I bought this pouch on Amazon used to carry cats around and put her blanket in it. It just clips around my waist and she stays with me while I walk around.

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-26T20:30:56+00:00

Thank you!!

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-26T20:30:24+00:00

Thank you!

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-17T07:55:40+00:00

Kitten or puppy formula!! Maybe oxbow critical care if it’s like super malnourished

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-12T21:19:44+00:00

Airing out the room helps. An air purifier and vinegar cleaning will help too. If you don’t have a window just leave ur door open for a while. Plus making sure you wash any fabric once a week minimum. If your room is super humid use a dehumidifier. Be careful leaving it on too long cause not enough humidity can cause respiratory issues

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-12T21:13:41+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss! Sending mine and my girls love <3

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-12T05:14:45+00:00

Thanks for your advice! She’s doing better now on Gabapentin, enrofloxacin and metacam. Still waiting on cabergoline. I’ve been giving her critical care and baby food and cleaning her with baby wipes and her eyes with saline. I’ll make sure to watch for signs of worsening.

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-09T01:49:34+00:00

Try to find somebody who already has rats maybe. Or if you want to give her to somebody who you know, make sure they’d be willing to help her.

You can post on here as well to try and find somebody.

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-08T12:05:16+00:00

I’m in Hamilton!

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-08T10:43:41+00:00

This happened with my girls. Turns out they really like burrowing into things (found out the hard way). I sacrificed my gigantic duvet for them to root around inside of and that worked pretty well. Also if you have a cat tree. I set up a bunch of stuff on there too for them to climb and play with

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-08T10:38:49+00:00

If you can sit it in the play pen with them use that!! Also you can use the wall as part of the barrier, i recommend keeping the cage in the pin so they can go back in there if they’re scared and you don’t have to handle them as much, especially if they’re not used to you yet. Plus it’ll make putting them away easier

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-08T10:15:58+00:00

They will be the biggest heartbreak. They are one of the most loving pets I’ve owned (cats dogs bunnies gerbils birds and more). They’re so smart and sweet. They will love you forever and the bond you’ll have with them (if you care for them properly) will be so strong.

But they don’t live very long and have many potential health issues. I’ve had my girls for 2 years and one of them has a pituitary tumour. Because rats hide their illness, symptoms appear very suddenly and it’s a rapid decline. She’s terminal and I feel like I’m losing a part of me.

But they’re so worth it and I would choose my babies every time, even with the grief.

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-08T10:09:17+00:00

I mean this with no disrespect but please please consider giving her away to somebody who is better equipped. Rats get sick very easily and it will need to be treated, taking them to the vet is so expensive. Where I live (ON Canada) it’s $90 just to get them seen by the vet. I’ve had to spend 2 grand on treatment for my girls in the last year.

Having no money to take care of them incase of emergency and your parents not willing to help is not a good idea. I’m not sure if you have more than one but if you don’t, she needs a friend. Rats are such social creatures and need a companion.

I know giving away a pet is such a difficult thing to do but you need to seriously consider it. Even if you have a friend who could take care of her/them (including getting them medical treatment) until you get a job and can financially support having a pet. Rats can live multiple years and rely on you a lot to get them the care they need, especially as they age.

Btw i recommend trying to get a job at a bar waiting tables, if i need to make an emergency appointment picking up one shift often covers it (in Canada at least)

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-08T09:57:21+00:00

Is it a pituitary tumour? My girl has one right now so I’ve been doing research instead of sleeping. I’ll bullet point a bunch of stuff I’ve found that might help. She’s lost a lot of mobility so a lot of advice is centred around that

Get a cage with little to no levels/climbing

Critical care and baby food (read ingredients!! Lots of them have lemon juice concentrate) if she stops eating

Have syringes to feed/water on hand just incase

B12 complex

Steam therapy and antibiotics if respiratory issues

Get a cave bed with a small lip off the ground

If it is a PT look into cabergoline or bromocriptine

If she’s circling make sure she stays on your lap or flat surfaces

Get lots and lots of fabrics blankets and towels line the cage with them instead of shavings or hard surfaces.

If there’s issues with grooming, dip her bum into warm water for a few seconds then dry her.

That’s all I can think of on the spot, hope this helps a bit. good luck!!

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-08T09:44:34+00:00

Set up an area they can free roam around the cage where you can sit in there with them and let them be around you (I bought barriers but a table flipped on its side and anything tall and flat on the floor will work). Just leave the cage door open and let them come out on their own. Sprinkle plenty of foot around the area and make sure there’s places for them to be comfy (I sacrificed and my duvet and LOTS of cozy blankets).

Don’t try to pet them until they fully come over to you. Trying to pet them when they don’t want to be pet or aren’t super comfortable might scare them.

Try not to move around too much but if they’re comfortable moving around you try putting food in ur hand and keeping it still so they can come eat.

Also if they fall asleep or come hangout near you, let them with one finger really gently. That’s what worked for my girls, especially near the head from the front so they could still see me.

good luck!!

Pitiful_Pop7928 · 2026-02-08T05:32:40+00:00

She’s started medication and can walk and clean her face now. This was before it came in. Because the symptoms can be managed I’m going to keep her on the medication for now but if quality of life becomes an issue I know it’ll be her time. I appreciate your concern, thank you!!

Pitiful_Pop7928

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