Tuesday, July 19, 2011

MRR's Center of Attention

Brio & Inkspot who have been in foster care for a while, finally found a home and now live in NY! Congratulations to Brio & Inkspot!

It's getting hot!

There is a heat wave spreading across the U.S., with many of us experiencing 90 degree temperatures or higher. Here is another tip, courtesy of Deana, on keeping your rats cool.

Take rat sized flat rocks, scrub clean, and place in cage. The rocks stay cool by themselves, or, you can freeze them to chill them more! Rats love to sprawl out on them. You can also use ceramic tiles.






Monday, July 18, 2011

MRR Raffle!

There is something for everyone in this years raffle! If you haven't already, go on over to www.mainelyratrescue.org to buy your tickets. Tickets are only $1.00 each, and for every 10 tickets you buy you get one free! For info or to donate an item, email raffle@mainelyratrescue.org. The winners will be announced August 13th!

  • It's a Rat World Subscription
  • 1 Week Maine Vacation rental
  • 3 piece hammock set
  • 4 piece hammock set
  • 5 piece hammock set
  • Ampersand Quilted Art
  • Hand knitted baby hat
  • Hand knitted newborn hats
  • Build-A-Bear
  • Cage Accessoires Bundle
  • Carrie & matching bunkbed
  • Double Critter Nation
  • Critter Space Pods
  • Crocheted Rat
  • Custom Handcrafted Toy set
  • Custom Pet Portraits
  • Custom Love Quilled art
  • Dale Earnhardt Banner
  • Ele-Fun
  • Electric Corkscrew
  • Emile Toy
  • $25 Ferret Depot Gift Certificate
  • For the Love of Rats Mug & Magnet set
  • Glass Rat charm earrings
  • GPS Tom Tom
  • Hand Painted Rainbow Bridge Picture Frame
  • Hand made rat soaps
  • Hand painted ornaments
  • Homemade rat or dog treats
  • House mouse canvas tote & notecard set
  • Illustrated rat prints
  • Kids activity pack
  • Krackle Flower sack
  • $25 Mom Rat Magic Fleece Gift Certificate
  • Narwhal Plush
  • $20 Olive Garden Gift Certificate
  • On My Own Jewelry Certificate
  • $150 Photo Session Gift Certificate
  • Black and white framed rat photo
  • Ralph Lauren Blanket
  • Rat clock
  • Rat print
  • Rat tote bag
  • Ratatouille Pez Dispenser
  • $25 Robin's Hammocks Gift Certificate
  • Scentsy Wickless Candle "Paws"
  • Scentsy Wickless Candle Bundle
  • Sereus Jewelry
  • Stuffed Rat Toys
  • Wodent Wheels
  • Wool Rat
  • Yankee Candle

Friday, July 15, 2011

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Tips to keep your rats cool


Rats are particularly susceptible to heat and humidity and should be kept in conditions below about 25*C.
In hot weather, it's important to keep an eye on your rats for signs of heat stress.  In particular, any of your rats who are overweight or sick as they will be more affected.
Some signs your rat is over-heated:
  • Slowed movement, lethargy
  • Apathy (even for treats)
  • Tail, feet, ears and nose hot to touch
  • Sprawled position, often with feet stretched out behind them (so they can lose heat through the soles of their feet)
  • Mouth gaping open or panting
  • Drooling
  • Lying on their backs, feet in the air, mouth agape and not very responsive (dangerously hot!)
The best option for preventing overheating is to keep your rats in an air conditioned room.  If this is not possible, you need to keep them cool in other ways.
Some ideas for keeping rats cool:
  • Fill a spray can with water and wet the rats down (make sure you don't spray it in their eyes).  Alternatively, wipe them down often with a wet sponge
  • Drape a wet towel over part of their cage and provide a cooling fan or open window with a breeze.
  • Bath them in cool water.
  • Freeze a bottle of water, wrap it in a towel and place it in the cage for an instant cage air conditioner.
  • Provide them with lots of cool water to prevent dehydration.  Keep a spare bottle in the fridge and swap them regularly.
  • Give them a terracotta pot.  These make great sleeping areas in summer as they stay cool.

Fun treats/games to help cool them down:
  • Fruitsicles - Cut up fruit or vegetable pieces and freeze.  Good choices are watermelon, grapes, banana, honeydew, peas, corn, blueberries, etc.   Ice cubes made of of fruit juice, or containing frozen peas are a welcome treat too.
  • Wading pool - Use a heavy shallow food bowl (or a pot plant drip tray), fill with water and toss in a few ice cubes.  The rats will sleep beside it to cool off, dangle their tails in the water, and lick the ice cubes.
  • Ratty painting - Get a glass of cold water and a paint brush.  Dip the paintbrush in the water and paint your ratty's hairless bits, especially tail and feet.  This will help them cool off faster and give them a challenge (to grab the brush off you and rip it to pieces).
  • Icehouse - Place their favourite nest box / loft / hammock in the fridge or freezer until it cools down.
  • Fishing for peas.   

Info from: www.dapper.com.au/articles.htm 
Article Copyright Robyn Arthur, 2002-2006