Care Sheet for Mice and Rats or other RodentsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.56 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 05/26/2004 |
Main Category: | Misc |
Sub Category: | Mice and Rats or other Rodents |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Lindsikins00 |
Years Experience: | 10 to 15 Years |
Species: | Rats |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | mice, but cage will be smaller. |
Sexing and Characteristics: | N/A |
Mostly Active During: | Both |
Substrate and Water Needs: | NEVER use cedar or pine for these critters, the fumes from these shavings often cause respiratory infections. There are some studies that show that oils from cedar can also impair the liver. Use Carefresh, cell-sorb or non-sented yesterdays new (these are all paper based products) in a pinch you can use kay-kob, but may hurt their feet. |
Lighting and UVB: | N/a |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Room temp, no drafts |
Heating and Equipment: | N/A |
Caging Provided: | At least a large guinea pig cage. Open wire cages are better for circulation. If you have to use a fish tank, should be at least a 20 long.(just remember that when using a tank, you are trapping ammonia from the urine and that may cause resp problems) Some ferret cages are great. If they do have a wire bottom, cover it up. The wire bottom cause cause a condition called bumblefoot. (sp?) |
Diet: | Omnivorous |
Description of Diet: | A continuous supply of rat block is best, with seeds they can pick out all the "junk food" and leave the rest. With rat block their diet is more balanced. Rats love people food. They will eat anything from caggabe to lunch meat to bread crust. Most things are ok, stay away from high water content food (ex iceburg lettace, watermelon) this can cause runny stool and dehidration. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | This is from my exotic vet.....vitamins are only good when water is changed two times daily. After 4-6 hrs, light leeches out the nutients and then the water becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. It is best to give vitamins in water a couple times a week, and change the water later that day, or make sure to give a varied diet with dk green veggies, carrots, and oranges |
Maintenance: | They LOVE toys, anything you can make out of safe materials, they will love. cardboard eggcrate, wood, toilet paper rolls. you can make a hammock out of an old piece of clothing (or buy one) They will have a great time tearing is down, hehe |
Some Words on this Species: | They are fun pets, can be trained, litter trained, they also like to snuggle and watch TV with you. I had two great rats for 4 years. |
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