All Turtles Message Board

Pia · Level 3 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 183 Location: Malta

Do pet rats really attract flies?

contact444 · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:26 pm Post subject:

The only reason pet rats would attract flies is becuase they stink. And I do mean STINK! When I owned rats (briefly) I altered their cage so that I could put a layer of baking soda underneath the wood chips to help absorb the smell and they still stunk. I changed their cage once a week and it wasn't enough.

Having said that- some people really enjoy keeping rats as pets, they were cool, but I just couldn't get over the smelley little guys. Exclamation

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2 big RES, 1 Flowerhorn Cichlid, 1 Cockatiel. I will alway hold a place in my heart for Daphne, my albino RES.

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1202

My kids love their critters and I don't have a problem but I do have certain rules. The pens must be cleaned every two days. Fresh pine shavings changed regularly will keep odor down and flys away. I don't like to use the baking soda because the little rodents like to dig and that is not something they should be digging in.

Pia · Level 3 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 183 Location: Malta

So they do smell? the women at the pet shop said they dont, because i cant get one if they do.

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1202

All animals smell. Honestly the rats smelled no more and no less than the bunny. Even a bird cage will small if not cleaned on a regular basis. Most quality pet stores will clean there pet cages once a day. So the woman that works there may not think they smell at all.

dixieee · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:58 am Post subject:

and they will still smell Rolling Eyes

i think hamsters smell too but not as much if u're interested
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Wed 10/27/2004 is the worst day..i lost my best friend Leo

so now i have a female RES, Green, and a cute stupid male YBS, Mint

5/4/2006 RIP Lemon, u were my first rescue and i'm so proud of u. will never 4get u

Pia · Level 3 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 183 Location: Malta

I already have a hamster(and i doesnt smell for me) Plus have 2 Gerbiles, and todays my cliening there cage day. So thell stay runnning in the bathroom...

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1202

Sounds like us today. I have my son's rabbit in the bathroom and my daughters in the laundry room. My chickens and my turkey are running around outside but it is really cold so I have to watch for how long and then it is back in the coop for them. And my lovebirds need their bath's as soon as the bunny is out of there. For some reason they don't like the bunnies and they make a very lound chittering when they see them.

Pia · Level 3 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 183 Location: Malta

Well today i have to clienin my turtles. Lucky you have a chicken... my mother doesnt let me get one fore a pet.

contact444 · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 10:19 pm Post subject:

I do agree that rats smell just like any other pet, but they do still smell. If you are willing and have the time to clean the cage every other day then rats are probably just fine for you.

-btw the baking soda thing was seperated from my rats. It was wood chips a wire mesh box a few inches and then baking soda, that definintely would not be something to expose any animal to. Rolling Eyes

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2 big RES, 1 Flowerhorn Cichlid, 1 Cockatiel. I will alway hold a place in my heart for Daphne, my albino RES.

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1202

Pia · Level 3 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 183 Location: Malta

so only pine shavings ? in his cage?? and every 2 days the cage smells?
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LOVE Animals Very Happy

... MyAnimals -> 1 Budgie, 2 Hamsters, 2 Gerbiles, 13 Cats, 2 Turtles, 2 Pet Rats & 1 Parrot(of my Mother)

Pia · Level 3 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 183 Location: Malta

On Wednesday (or more, because they might still not eat on there own). A man who works at a shop called Pet Mate (a Breeder) will be getting them to the shop just for me to pick 1, and the rest will go to be Feed Rats. How CRULE... just for money, They get born just to be killed.!
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LOVE Animals Very Happy

... MyAnimals -> 1 Budgie, 2 Hamsters, 2 Gerbiles, 13 Cats, 2 Turtles, 2 Pet Rats & 1 Parrot(of my Mother)

Vanilla_Rat · Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:18 pm Post subject:

Cyn · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 1:44 pm Post subject:

You would have to be a really messy person get get flies from pets. I have lots of pets... And never have had any bug problems...

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Vanilla_Rat · Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:42 pm Post subject:

Cute rats you got there!I noticed some rex rats! I want a rex again!I only ever had one rex and her name was Starlite.She was a greyt ratty!I lucked out on getting her, now I am in search of another rex.
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My Babies:
~ 24 rats
~ 6 mice
~ 2 leopard geckos
~ 1 RES turtle
~ 2 fancy goldfish and 3 bettas
* A 2 yr old daughter

killah · Level 3 Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 131

I love rats I have 2
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Wolven Spirit, Wolven Eye
Watch and Wait as Time Goes by