Climbing aids for geriatric rats?

Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:17 pm

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Last edited by Guest on Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:50 pm; edited 3 times in total

Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:28 pm

My old rats found that a plaited rope bridge that can be clipped between levels was easy to climb up and down.

Pete A.

Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:30 pm

Hmm all I can suggest is to install long and wide ramps so the angle isnt as steep and wider because that way it is less likely that they will plummet off the ramp. But when my rats got old and wobbly, I normally took everything ramp-like out and rearranged the bottom of the cage so the oldies would be comfortable and have things to do (like sleep! wink

) The younger ones could still climb the sides of the cage and get to wherever they wanted to go.

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Sab

"I feel like I know her, but sometimes my arms bend back"

Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:36 pm

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Last edited by Guest on Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:51 pm; edited 1 time in total

Thu Feb 19, 2004 1:39 am

Sir Wiley William the Angel wanted me to impart his wisdom here... "What?!?! Tini can't live on the bed with mum like I did?" "Oh the abuse he's suffering!" LOL

No really Tammy, I had the very same problem with Wiley and Jack and Simon and though my advice won't be helpful for your current cages situation it really added quality to all my boys who suffered. Nikko and Simon included. I'll e-mail ya...but you'll have to explain yourself to Wiley The Angel tonight...he's waiting! roflmao

to Martini~ Growing old is hard work....but my most favourite time of all my rattie's lives. :*)

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~~Wiley's(& Simon's ) Mom & The Lil Rattie Crew
Don't count how many breaths you take
But what takes your breath away~
~Sir Wiley William Templeton
2/29/00-3/5/03 My light, my love forever~
Gentleman Jack 1/1/01-4/22/03
Quiet courage, my heart~

Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:17 am

I moved my oldies into a single level cage at Christmas and I really don't regret it. I was terrified that would fall from the higher levels of the other cage as they got less and less steady on their feet.

If a separate cage is out of the question, could you close off a level of the cabinet just for Martini, so that he can't climb?

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Linda and the RMDs

Many have forgotten this truth but you must not forget it. We remain responsible forever, for what we have tamed.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:19 pm

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Last edited by Guest on Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:52 pm; edited 1 time in total

Thu Feb 19, 2004 7:46 pm

i have an old girl whose hind legs are going, too. she loves to stay in the middle floor and hates being confined to one level. but every so often she insists on going into a hammock, so i have a ramp and upper level platform where she can just step into the hammock and step out again easily. the hammock is made of woven cotton (vs. the knit kind) so that it doesn't stretch as much. other than that, she enjoys sitting in her rat sack so she can be with me while i do stuff around the house. her other favorite place is napping in my computer chair (as long as i am sitting in it but practically on the edge of the seat so she can sit behind me)

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Visit ACE, MELANIE, BONBON, and the rest of my crew in Rat Tails