Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got 4 rats, 1 male and 3 females a little over a week ago. I would say they are on the medium size range, not very skittish and kind of young. In the time I've had them, 2 of the females have just died for no apparent reason about 2 days apart from each other. No apparent trauma, never witnessed any agression from any of them. Any ideas? I did notice the AC vent might have been blowing on them, so I moved them and closed that vent. After that is when the second one died, but maybe she was already sick?
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1.2 Ghost Corns, Beetlejuice, Casper and Spooky
1.1 Charcoal het pewter, Smokey and Flame
1.1 Hypo het lavender, Rosy and Rocko
1.0 Anery, Goku
0.1 Amel, Sunny
2.0 Tabby Cats, Daddycat and his son Brat
0.1 Australian Shepherd, Angel

Gypsy

Do the rats have any obvious signs of sickness?
Sneezing, red staining around the nose and eyes, coughing (sounds a lot like chirping), congestion in the sinuses?

Are they full looking, bloated, lethargic? Any skin lesions or hairless patches? Any external parasites?

Also, where did you buy these rats from? I have had very poor luck with mom and pop privately owned stores, and would much rather buy from the likes of petco or petsmart when getting new females.

Otherwise, if it seems like they died for absolutely no reason, I would think you just got some crap rats. That happens, and it will take some very selective breeding to get rid or poor genes and immune systems out of those lines. It is possible though! Don't be discouraged, as I had a very rough start, but now have had great success with my rats.

Providing a high quality diet, fresh clean water, and a clean environment (no pine or cedar shavings, due to caustic phenols in softwoods causing liver failure and respiratory disease), you will slowly work away from such poor crappy pet store rats and will start to see success after success with increase in survival and litter size.

Good luck!

I have been reading a lot of the posts about rodent feed. I am unable to find anywhere locally to buy any bulk rodent feed. I saw something posted about hog blocks, but the only ones I find here are 21 percent protien. Is that too high? Or can it be balanced out with some veggies?

The rats seemed healthy when I got them. I did notice a little sneezing. After the two died, I noticed the AC vent might be blowing directly on them, so I moved them and closed the vent off a little bit.

Guy I got them from breeds some of his own and gets others from the same place each time. Every time I get feeders from him they are nice and healthy and strong. I guess only time will tell.

Thanks for your reply.
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1.2 Ghost Corns, Beetlejuice, Casper and Spooky
1.1 Charcoal het pewter, Smokey and Flame
1.1 Hypo het lavender, Rosy and Rocko
1.0 Anery, Goku
0.1 Amel, Sunny
2.0 Tabby Cats, Daddycat and his son Brat
0.1 Australian Shepherd, Angel

Gypsy

Where do you live? State is all.

I buy Mazuri from a Purina dealer. I feel 21% is too high, and have personally seen effects in my own colony from too high of protein or fats. Males tend to suffer from too high of protein, where nursing females and growing rats will do better.

I would shoot for 16-18%. Although I have to say, I am completely against feeding rats hog feed. Hog feed for hogs, cat food for cats, rat food for rats.

There is a difference in ingredients, minerals, vitamins, and percentages that all take a toll on rats in different ways. Many feeder breeders either don't want to acknowledge poor rats, or just have never seen what a bright healthy rat looks like. I will push anyone I can into feeding their rats rat food. Just how I feel about it. I won't change my tune.

The only exception to that rule is when mixing a diet using a base of lab blocks, and supplement some senior dog food, along with adding in different grains and greens. This is usually going to cost a lot more than just buying a bag of lab block.

I know some people just cant find or afford regular lab block, so they buy cheap dog food. Cheap gives you cheap in my opinion. Any mid grade dog food is going to cost the same as the rat food, so might as well buy the rat food eh?

Any Purina dealer should be able to order the 50 lb bags from Mazuri, and if they don't even try, then I would push them to find out. The price has gone up a little, but 24$ for 50 lbs is ok by me. I buy from a local pet and feed store that deal Purina.

Having peace of mind when feeding my snakes the best feeders is worth it to me.