Please read the F.A.Q. page before e-mailing me with a question. This page answers many of the questions that I am commonly asked and may answer your question.
Q: What does dumbo, rex, agouti, berkshire, etc. mean?
A: Dumbo rats have large ears that sit lower on their head. Rex rats have a wavy, kinky coat. Other types include hairless, standard, and patchwork. Patchwork is also called mock hairless or double rex. They are a semi-hairless breed produced by inheriting two rex genes. Agouti is a color. It is brown with black ticking, like a wild rat. Other colors include blue, lilac, fawn, etc. Berkshire is a marking. It means that the rat is a solid color with a white belly and white feet. Self, irish, hooded, and mismarked all refer to markings also. Click here to go to a web site that has great pictures and information on types, coats, colors, etc.
Q: How much are your rats?
A: Most rats are $25 each and true/nude hairless are $30. Dwarf rats are $35. I always subtract $5 for a pair or more. Older rats and young adults are usually less.
Q: When can I pick my rat up?
A:
Rats are weaned at 4 weeks of age. I will adopt them out between 5
and 6 weeks old depending on the baby's progress.
Q: I'm new to adopting. How does the process work?
A: First you e-mail me. I often have a waitlist for babies. If I do not have any babies available or the type of baby you are looking for, then I will place you on the contact list. Anytime babies are ready for reservation, I send out an e-mail to everybody on the contact list. I take down specific reservations for a few days and then e-mail everybody back. If two people are interested in the same rat, I will reserve it for the person who originally e-mailed me first about adopting. Approved breeders are always given first choice of the babies, often before the litter is announced to the public. Once babies are reserved, I will arrange pick up of the babies from my home, or nearby. Babies are old enough for me to sex and know their type at around 3 weeks of age, so reservations usually start around 3 to 4 weeks of age. Babies are released to their new homes between 5 and 6 weeks of age.
Q: Where are you located?
A: I am in Sacramento , California . For those who know the area, I am in South Sacramento near Florin rd and HWY 99.
Q: Do you ship?
A: No. Shipping is dangerous for the rats, expensive, and time consuming.
Q: Can you deliver?
A: I deliver sometimes and only in the Sacramento area or close to Sacramento (like Roseville or Davis ). I charge at least an additional $35, depending on the area I will be driving too. I will do my best to coordinate my schedule with yours but ultimately delivery will depend on my schedule. If I have to hold the rat(s) longer than 7 days, the hold fee will apply. This applies even if the wait is because you can not coordinate your schedule with mine.
Q: Can you hold my rats for me?
A: I have no problem holding rats for up to 7 days after they are ready to go to new homes. If you need me to hold the rat(s) longer than 7 days, a hold fee of $5 will apply and prepayment will be required. This can be done through paypal or via "snail mail".
Q: Can I get just one rat? or is two better?
A: Rats are very social animals and should be kept in pairs or groups. This goes for both sexes. I will only adopt out a single rat to somebody who has other young rats or to somebody who can spend a lot of time with the rat. For example, I once adopted a rat to a woman who was wheelchair bound. The rat is always with her and only caged at night.
Q: Are your rats healthy? What history do you have of the parents’ health?
A: I try my best to only breed the healthiest rats. I always sell healthy rats. New rats are quarantined. I do keep records of my rats. Any rat that develops an illness that is genetic is not bred. I have a 2 to 3 generation pedigree on most of my rats and can use that to research the health of their relatives. All rats have a 14 day health guarantee. They are free of common illnesses that rats usually pick up at pet stores, like lice, mites, or upper respiratory infections and are never pregnant. I have never had any cases of serious Myco-related upper respiratory infection or mega-colon in my colony. I would like to remind you that virtually all rats carry mycoplasma and no pet rat is completely, 100% immune to it.
Q: I have questions about general rat care, can you recommend a book or web site?
A: First, my "Basic Rat Care Hand Out" is an easy way to quickly learn the basics of rat care. There is also a great book written by the founder of The Rat Fan Club, Debbie "the Rat Lady" Ducommon. You can buy it online. Be sure to check out my links page.
Q: I have another rat and I want to get him/her a friend. Do you have any suggestions on introducing them?
A: I am going to refer you back to the Rat Lady's site because there is a great article on it about introducing a new rat.
Q: Are boys better than girls?
A: This is purely a matter of preference. I prefer males personally. They are bigger and tend to be cuddlier and laid back. All of my lap rats are boys. Boys do, however, tend to have a slightly stronger smell, may urine mark (drip little drops of urine here or there when they are out), and their boy parts are quite noticeable. On the other hand, girls can be just as affectionate. They just usually tend to be busy bodies. They tend to keep their cages cleaner than the boys. They are usually more active than the boys. Both are just as smart and both make great pets, even in pairs or groups.
Q: What kind of cage do you recommend?
A: I prefer wire cages to glass cages, with the exception of the cage topper cages. Wire breathes better than the glass cages. Wire floors on wire cages should be no bigger than 1/4 of a squared inch to prevent foot injuries. A rat cage for one rat should be at least 18" x 11" x 12". The bigger the better. Rats love ramps and levels. They should have lots of solid areas to rest on to prevent a foot injury called, bumble foot. Here is a link to a site that sells great cages, .
Q: Bumblefoot? What is Bumble foot?
A: I figured the last question might bring up this question. Bumble foot (Ulcerative pododermatitis) is a bacterial infection in the heels. It is often seen in rats who live in wire cages and that have no solid places to stand. It can also be caused by a dirty cage and/or irritating bedding.
Q: Can you recommend a good rat vet in the area?
A: My vet is Dr. Becky Van Riper at Elk Grove Animal Hospital in Elk Grove , CA . 916-685-9589. It is very important to know of both a regular vet and an emergency vet in the area that sees rats before there is a problem. It is no fun trying to find a vet hospital last minute in an emergency.
Q: My rat is sick can you help me?
A: While I might be able to share experiences with you, I can not help your sick rat. If your rat is sick he or she should go to the vets A.S.A.P. This is exceptionally true if your rat is not eating or is having trouble breathing.