My new Rat.

My one named Ash died four days after I had him. We got another one called Rayne from Pet Co so HoneyPuff wouldn't be lonely. PetCo said they take their animals to the Vet! WOW! Rayne is black and white like Ash was but with three black spots on her butt and a pink and black tail. Both of them are hooded! For now HoneyPuff was in her original cage and Rayne was in that 50 gallon I have. She loves it, theres plenty of floor space! The cage only has 1/3 the floor space the 50 gallon does. They are both on paper towels. Kept between 75 to 78 degrees in the apartment. I have been feeding them Kaytees small animal food, and plenty of treats every night. Exp: Bananas, Broccoli, Carrots, Onions, Green Onions, Green Peppers, Black Olives,Wheat Bread, Radishes, Red Grapes, Turkey, Oysters, Tomatoes,and a few Peanuts. I give them Pedigree Dentabones to. They also have vitamins in their water.

HoneyPuff was very protective of Ash as they came from the same bunch. She even layed on him when he was dead protecting him from Jeff removing him. I put them in the other ones tank tonite. HoneyPuff is now in the 50 and Rayne in the cage, and I didn't clean it. HoneyPuff is defiantly more active now! This is a good thing! She hasn't been AS active lately, but shes been eating more then Rayne. Rayne is still eating though shes not starving. My question is could HoneyPuff be lonely and depressed?? I really do hope they get along. HoneyPuff is nastier, meaner though. HoneyPuff being bought at PetConnections (yuck) being breed for feeder, and Rayne at PetCo as a pet. Rayne was just more socialized when we first got her! She is a shoulder percher, loves to explore, gives kisses, comes straight to your hand and when called! HoneyPuff is nothing like this. I am hoping that Rayne will teach HoneyPuff we are the good guys. Any suggestions on my situation?? Introducing them and getting them to like eachother? Rat games??

I am also going to be building them a "Rat apartment" out of my dresser. It will be a wooden tower with the cage attached. I know about the pine and cedar but am wondering if this is a good investment? I have seen pics on the net with houses being made of wood. I am just wondering how to clean their wooden home, and the wood absorbing feces and urine smells and being unsanitary?? What do you guys think? Thanks!