The ratty girls

[Banned Member 1]

I put the corner columns in the opposite way around to the bars, so the short Criceti columns are at the bottom and the long Criceti columns are at the top. I also bought one spare column and cut four small pieces off it because the two sets of columns end up being a little too short. The whole thing holds together pretty well like this except it's possible for a determined rat to get between the two sets of bars in the middle of each side. To prevent that i used some tiny padlocks and careful placement of wooden platforms to keep the two sets of bars together.

It's quite common to use two furats to make a super tall cage, it's best to cut four of the corner columns in half for that though and arrange them with half a column at the top and bottom and full column in the middle. I haven't come across anyone else who has realised the Criceti 15 and Furat have the same base though!

 

[Maz]

I didn't know they had the same base either! I get muddled up with the Furat's because there's a square base one as well isn't there? Something like 75 x 75.

 

[Banned Member 1]

I didn't know they had the same base either! I get muddled up with the Furat's because there's a square base one as well isn't there? Something like 75 x 75.

Yeah, there's the Furet XL that is 80x75.
It's also possible with some clever DIY to stack furats so that both bases are used but that requires the tools and knowhow to cut a neat hole into one of the bases. There isn't really enough floor area for more than 4 or 5 rats in a furat if only one base is used. I had 5 rats in there for a while and keeping it clean was tough!

 

[Maz]

I can imagine - I think your solution with the Criceti is very creative!

 

[Banned Member 1]

One year ago today we brought Luna home. She had hides and hammocks in her quarantine cage but only wanted to sleep on the little wooden shelf, probably because it smelled of other rats and she was so lonely after being by herself for so long.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aww beautiful Luna! How sad she was so lonely. It is very lucky you found her.

 

[Maz]

She looks so cute on that shelf. Sad she was missing other rats though. She must be much happier now

 

[Banned Member 1]

An extremely rare moment when they're all sitting still enough for a decent photo! (Usually they start to move when the camera comes near!)

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aww they look so cosy and content!

 

[Banned Member 1]

Aww they look so cosy and content!

They love that hammock, it's a big of a squeeze for all three of them now they're fully grown though!

 

[RainbowBrite]

They love that hammock, it's a big of a squeeze for all three of them now they're fully grown though!

Looks like the like being squeezed in together as they are so close.

 

[Maz]

They do look really happy and cosy

 

[Maz]

I wish my OH would agree to rats!

 

[Banned Member 1]

I just found a lump on Harley's belly. I've managed to get a same day vet appt, really hoping it's a fatty lump or an abscess or something less serious than a tumour but given how prone rats are to tumours...

 

[RainbowBrite]

I really am sory AJ. I hope the appointment goes well.

 

[elusive]

So sorry to hear that, it sounds really worrying but I hope it’s nothing too serious, good luck at the vets.

 

[Banned Member 1]

Seems like she does have a small mass that is probably a tumour. We are trying a week of metacam on the slight chance that it is something else but its very likely we'll be booking her in for surgery next week...

 

[RainbowBrite]

I am sorry to hear this. I think it is positive the vet thinks she could be operated on if need be. I really hope the Metacam works and it does not come to that.

 

[Member ID2]

I'm sorry to hear that Harley has a lump. At least you caught it early, if it turns out to be a tumor. Fingers crossed the Metacam works.

 

[elusive]

Sorry it wasn’t better news - hope the metacam does work or if not it’s a simple surgery & she recovers well.