Post by adoptaratcanada on Feb 1, 2007 1:37:32 GMT -4
Ok. Ok. It's my own fault! I've heard warnings about cages with plastic bottoms but since my old rats never chewed I didn't think too much about it with Locutus and Hugh.
I've learned my lesson!
Tonight I went in to give them dinner and noticed green shavings EVERYWHERE! They've been busy little beavers!!! In the BACK of the cage (who says rats aren't smart) where I wouldn't be able to see it they have chewed a HUGE rat sized hole in the corner!! Oh my GOD my heart is still pounding!
It's funny, because earlier today I was noticing a couple of rattie bowls that I've left sitting near the cage and on the table down below (the cage is on top of another cage) I noticed some popcorn. Yes, I left some popcorn in one of the bowls! That was my SECOND mistake!!
When I noticed it this morning, I thought it odd, because I couldn't figure out how it had gotten there, unless I dropped it but why would I have left it there, or if my CAT had got in since he'll try to eat anything but cat food! He LOVES popcorn! I couldn't figure out how he'd get into that spot since it's very awkward, and besides, I'm anal about not letting them in there.
SO! The rats themselves have been working on an escape hatch and have tackled the leftovers themselves! Little devils!
I'm thankful they haven't gone off of there (that I know of!). Perhaps it's because there's so much fiddly stuff on the shelves behind, knick-knacks and other stuff and not much room for a rattie to maneuver. If they had figured out how to climb down the second cage they probably could have had run of the room!!!
Oh my goodness, I can't believe it!
For now, I've taken the top off of the second cage, and set their whole cage inside that, fortunately it fits just right to block the hole. They had made a small start on the other corner, so I've put bricks in front of that to slow them down.
Now I'm not sure what to do....I could move them into that other cage. It's a rabbit cage I believe but also has a plastic bottom. However, the bottom is alot taller than the one in the cage that they are in, so it would be harder for them to get a grip on anything.
I'll have to rethink it. I didn't really want to have to shell out for another cage right now, but looks like I may have to. Or hope to find a bin I can set the wire frame in. It would make for a squat cage, though, by losing a few inches in height.
The one they are in is a SuperPet cage, which I really like. Does anyone know...do all the SP cages have these plastic bottoms?
Whew! Thanks for listening to my panicky rant!
Linda
PS: and if anyone has a cage for sale...
I've learned my lesson!
Tonight I went in to give them dinner and noticed green shavings EVERYWHERE! They've been busy little beavers!!! In the BACK of the cage (who says rats aren't smart) where I wouldn't be able to see it they have chewed a HUGE rat sized hole in the corner!! Oh my GOD my heart is still pounding!
It's funny, because earlier today I was noticing a couple of rattie bowls that I've left sitting near the cage and on the table down below (the cage is on top of another cage) I noticed some popcorn. Yes, I left some popcorn in one of the bowls! That was my SECOND mistake!!
When I noticed it this morning, I thought it odd, because I couldn't figure out how it had gotten there, unless I dropped it but why would I have left it there, or if my CAT had got in since he'll try to eat anything but cat food! He LOVES popcorn! I couldn't figure out how he'd get into that spot since it's very awkward, and besides, I'm anal about not letting them in there.
SO! The rats themselves have been working on an escape hatch and have tackled the leftovers themselves! Little devils!
I'm thankful they haven't gone off of there (that I know of!). Perhaps it's because there's so much fiddly stuff on the shelves behind, knick-knacks and other stuff and not much room for a rattie to maneuver. If they had figured out how to climb down the second cage they probably could have had run of the room!!!
Oh my goodness, I can't believe it!
For now, I've taken the top off of the second cage, and set their whole cage inside that, fortunately it fits just right to block the hole. They had made a small start on the other corner, so I've put bricks in front of that to slow them down.
Now I'm not sure what to do....I could move them into that other cage. It's a rabbit cage I believe but also has a plastic bottom. However, the bottom is alot taller than the one in the cage that they are in, so it would be harder for them to get a grip on anything.
I'll have to rethink it. I didn't really want to have to shell out for another cage right now, but looks like I may have to. Or hope to find a bin I can set the wire frame in. It would make for a squat cage, though, by losing a few inches in height.
The one they are in is a SuperPet cage, which I really like. Does anyone know...do all the SP cages have these plastic bottoms?
Whew! Thanks for listening to my panicky rant!
Linda
PS: and if anyone has a cage for sale...
