Luna Rattery

18/08/2022

These 4 baby boys are the last of Luna's litter looking for their forever homes. Look how cute they are 😍

They are ready to go to their new homes on the 1st of September.

02/08/2022

Luna's babies! 4 weeks tomorrow!
It is getting harder and harder to get a photo of them all 😅🥰

01/08/2022

Exciting news!
I've just sent the email out to everyone on my waiting list for my current litter!
if you have put yourself on my wait-list but don't see the email check your spam folder, if you still don't see it send me a message and we can see what has happened!
if your not on my waitlist yet but want to add yourself to it just go to my website (www.lunarattery.co.nz) and go to the "how to adopt" page

About Us

27/07/2022

So many babies 😅 3 weeks today, time flew by!

26/07/2022

Look at Luna's babies! 3 weeks tomorrow, I plan to get some more photos this morning of all 14! So keep an eye out for that update! There are some very pretty markings 🥰
While the rest of Luna's babies are sleeping, these three decided to try eat me 🤣 it's super exciting seeing them come out and explore their surroundings 🥰

18/07/2022

A few photos (including belly shots) of Luna's babies! They are two weeks on Thursday 🥰

08/07/2022

I have been so busy that I kept forgetting to update all of you!
Hemera, Loki, and Thor (nyxs babies) are doing amazing and will be staying here to carry on their line. They are currently a little over 4 week.

BUT Luna has also just had a litter!
And a huge litter at that! She had 14 babies!
I'll try to remember to keep you updated regularly 😅🥰

10/06/2022

Hey everyone!

Exciting news here at Luna Rattery!

We have our very first litter!

Nyx gave girth to 7 little babies on Wednesday evening but unfortunately she lost 4 of them. The remaining 3 babies are doing well and Nyx is being an amazing mummy!

Their marking are already starting to show and they are looking super adorable! 🥰

05/06/2022

Well we have little Nyx back!
Look at this little belly 🥰
She is due to have her babies mid week next week!
Make sure your on our wait list if you are wanting to take babies home 🥰

14/05/2022

Some exciting stuff happening for us!
Little Nyx has gone to visit Interstellar Rattery and will hopefully come back with some babies in her belly!

Ill be sure to keep you all updated on how that goes but for now make sure you visit our website ( www.lunarattery.co.nz) and add yourself to our waitlist!

About Us

29/03/2022

Our rats got a new play table reacently. They absolutely love it (as do my kids)
They love exploring new things, they had a good sniff of everything within reach, and they got lots of attention.
Here are some photos I managed to snap over the last few plays 🥰

26/03/2022

I was looking through the SPCA's adoption list today and found these two boys!

Might be something you could consider if your interested in rats or already have some and are interested in getting more 🥰 I hope these boys find a lovely home together.

I may even consider getting them myself if they are there too long 😉

https://www.spca.nz/adopt/animal/542871/jack?species=small-animals¢res=palmerston-north-centre

01/03/2022

Ive been a bit slack with posts lately but i just wanted to let everyone know that the girls are finally home!

They are all super sweet and im so excited to build a bond with them!

04/02/2022

We've got a happy Cheeses 🥰

29/01/2022

New Rat Introduction!

This beautiful little girl is Selene! She is a gorgeous little girl that will be coming down from Auckland with Luna and Nyx.

She's a sweet little girl and will actually be the mama of our first litter! Keep an eye out for updates on this in June!

28/01/2022

Snuggle pile 😍🥰

28/01/2022

This little girl is Luna's sister. She doesn't have a name yet so let me know if you have any ideas 🥰

ETA Her name is Nyx 😍

27/01/2022

The boys cooling down with some frozen veggies and berries 🥰

25/01/2022

Introductions!
This little girls is Luna! shes currently 8 weeks old
Ive been told she is very sweet. shes currently with another registered breeder in Auckland. I'm hoping to get her and her sister to Palmerston North on the next pet bus!

24/01/2022

Just hanging out 😅

22/01/2022

Foraging
In the wild rats forage for their food. This is an instinct that our domestic rats have as well. While putting their food in a bowl ensures they are able to find it, scattering it around their cage in a thick (5+cm) layer of substrate means they have to look for it, just as they would in the wild. This helps them work on their digging and searching skills but is also very enriching for them. It helps slow down their eating and helps minimize food related aggression as they have nothing to guard. If using substrate to cover the bottom of your cage wont work, try a digging box! You could even try hanging a couple different dig boxes at different heights, this would be a good way to use up more vertical space if you have a tall cage.

Another option is foraging toys! These are a great form of enrichment as they have to figure out how to get to their food and are also interchangeable so they don’t get bored of the same thing over and over again! Most foraging toys that are readily available in stores here in New Zealand are made for birds, cats, or dogs, but they work just as well for rats. You could even make your own. There are plenty on videos on youtube that show you how to make them out of things around your house. (Here is one of many that are avaliable https://youtu.be/-vJwi634vHw )

In the wild rats forage for their food. This is an instinct that our domestic rats have as well. While putting their food in a bowl ensures they are able to find it, scattering it around their cage in a thick (5+cm) layer of substrate means they have to look for it, just as they would in the wild. This helps them work on their digging and searching skills but is also very enriching for them. It helps slow down their eating and helps minimize food-related aggression as they have nothing to guard. If using substrate to cover the bottom of your cage won't work, try a digging box! You could even try hanging a couple different dig boxes at different heights, this would be a good way to use up more vertical space if you have a tall cage..

21/01/2022

The boys enjoying some new enrichment! Cheeses was the first one down to investigate and explore, but the others quickly followed behind him.

20/01/2022

Rats are active creatures and enjoy exercising when they are awake! One of the ways they enjoy doing this is running! A few different things we can do to encourage this natural behavior is providing them with an appropriately sized wheel! Here in New Zealand we recommend wheels at least 28cm (11in) for girls and 30cm (12in) for boys. Another important thing to consider when buying your rats a wheel is what it's made from. You really want to avoid wire or mesh wheels as they can injure toes and tails, the best kind to get is plastic. They are easy to clean, safe for your pets and last a decent amount of time. They can be pretty expensive to buy new but you can often find them for sale on trademe or on your local facebook marketplace. (you can find more information about this in this video https://youtu.be/MWV4pUQH3LY)
Another thing we can do to encourage them to run around is free-range time! This is a really great way for you rats to run around but is also great for bonding with your rats! You could set up a nice play area on a table or your bed, or even on the floor in a safe room. Just scatter some toys around and let your rats loose! Enjoy playing with them and watching them have fun!

20/01/2022

The boys checking out their new toys from A Rats Tail (https://www.aratstail.co.nz/)

I have a feeling they won't last long!

20/01/2022

Enrichment for natural behaviors

It is very easy to enrich your rat's life and it can make a world of difference for them and your relationship with them! If you're still looking for your rats or you already have some, it's not too late to start.d/or may be less active in your care. As their owner, it is our job to make their lives as happy as we can. If our pets are happy in their home they are more likely to enjoy being with us as well.
It's always good to keep in mind that rats are exceptionally smart. Just like us they can become bored if they don't have anything to occupy their time. If their lives lack enrichment they can become depressed and/or may be less active in your care. As their owner it is our job to make their lives as happy as we can. If our pets are happy in their home they are more likely to enjoy being with us as well.
It is very easy to enrich your rats life and it can make a world of difference for them and your relationship with them! If you're still looking for your rats or you already have some, it's not too late to start.

19/01/2022

Remy and Jasper enjoying some breakfast 🥰

19/01/2022

Did you know - Housing

Before bringing your rats home you will need to consider what cage you want to get. To keep your rats safe and happy they need to be kept indoors and have about 2 cubic feet per rat (here is a rat cage calculator to check if your cage is big enough for the amount of rats you have/want)

There are many cages that work well for rats, the main things to consider is space, bar spacing (no more that 12mm), air flow, and rust (if looking at a second hand cage).

Some recommended cages are:
“Strong rat cages” from animates
Avi one cages (604 and 604t) animates, also similar ones on trademe for cheaper.
Ferret Kingdom and Critter Nation. These are few and far between in New Zealand as they are so expensive to import
Rat starter kit.

18/01/2022

Jasper 💙

Colour: Cinnamon Berkshire

DOB: September 2021

Jasper is Cheeses's brother, he is the opposite of cheeses and is pretty quiet. he enjoys short cuddles but loves back scratches.

18/01/2022

Did you know - Introductions!

Rats are very social animals and should never be kept alone. This introduction method is recommended by the New Zealand registered rat breeders

Step 1: if you are able to get two rats the same age, it's much easier for rats to join a preexisting group when they already have someone they know. Set them up in a “temporary”. This gives them their own space while you're in the introduction stage of their relationship. Try to have the main cage and temporary cage side by side but not touching.

Step 2: after the babies are settled, swap the rats into the other cage. So your new rats are in your main cage and your old rats are in your temporary cage. This gives them a chance to really get a good sniff around and get to know their new friend even better.

Step 3: let the rats meet in a neutral area where you can closely monitor them. Some people use a bathtub with a towel covering the bottom of the tub. Have a towel within grabbing distance so if you need to break up a fight you don't get injured in the process. Your new rats may squeak a little when they are approached by the order rats and your older rats may try to turn the babies onto their back, both of these things are ok. If you think your babies have had enough or look terrified, put everyone back into their appropriate cages. Once they can go about 30 minutes without anyone getting hurt you can move on to the next step.

Step 4: Set up your usual out-of-cage play area and let all the rats have a good play. You may see the older rats pinning and licking the babies, this is ok. The new rats may also squeak a little. Put all the rats on you to show you accept the new babies.

Step 5: give your main cage a really good clean, use fresh hammocks and bedding, change their litter, and anything else that might smell strongly of the older rats. Move around their toys so it seems like new territory and they are encouraged to explore rather than hurt the babies. You may see the older rats pin and lick the babies, this is ok, they are trying to establish a new pecking order. If you think the fighting is becoming too aggressive, repeat step four.

17/01/2022

Cheeses 💙

Colour: Agouti Berkshire

DOB: September 2021

Cheeses is currently my most outgoing Rat. He enjoys shoulder rides and is constantly running around their cage.