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Hello, rat lovers, wherever you are!
So, you are thinking about getting a rat. |
| RAT |
|
Hello, rat lovers, wherever you are!
So, you are thinking about getting a rat. |
| LIFE SPAN - 3 years | ||
| ADVANTAGES | ||
| Like most small pets, they are easy to look after and cheap to feed, but can still give lots of love and companionship to the owner. | ||
| DISADVANTAGES | ||
| Their short life span, difficult to find if they escape and they can smell a bit if not cleaned out regularly. They obviously cannot be house trained, although they usually use a certain part of their cage as the toilet area, and some people find it unpleasant when holding them and being given little 'pressies'. | ||
| CARE | ||
| Like all pets, the larger the cage the better. As rats have a
tendency to gnaw, their cage should be made from hardwood, moulded plastics,
metal, glass (fish tank), weld or wire mesh. Rats can be kept in a single-storey cage with a raised gallery, recommended minimum size being 75cm x 30cm x 30cm high for a pair of rats. With a little imagination, you can make the rat a lovely home. It's cage should have at least a nest box with bedding in which to sleep (this could be made of a wicker plant plot, a small cardboard box, etc., with commercially prepared bedding sold at pet shops, shredded paper or meadow hay), ropes and ladders for climbing, an exercise wheel, a twig or wooden cotton reel for gnawing, lengths of piping for exploring, etc. The more 'toys' it has, the happier it will be and the more fun to watch. Rats do not smell if their cages are kept clean.. Their cage should have a layer of wood shavings or dust-free cat litter (sawdust can affect their respiratory tracts) to absorb their urine, which should be replaced at least twice a week, with all areas scrubbed at least once a week with a mild disinfectant which should be rinsed off thoroughly, and the cage allowed to dry before replacing the cage covering. Having a spare cage could be useful to keep the rats secure during this process. Their food dishes and drinking water should be thoroughly cleaned on a daily basis and refreshed. Rats are fastidious about their personal hygiene and will adequately groom themselves without the need of our help. They are easily handled. Rats are usually lifted out of their cage by their tail and quickly placed onto the palm of your other hand. They are more easily trained by offering them food from your hand. |
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| COMPANION | ||
| It is not advisable to keep different sexed rats together unless you want 100s of babies. The best advice is to buy the same sexed rats at the same time out of the same litter. | ||
| VACCINATIONS | ||
| Non known of. | ||
| FEEDING | ||
| Rats are omnivorous in captivity. It is usual to feed two meals
a day. Their diet should consist of a pet shop bought rat food mix,
raw fruit and vegetables (carrot, swede, celery, apple and green vegetables
in moderation), hay, and, occasionally, boiled egg, ham, cheese.
A salt and mineral block should also be available.
Drinking water is best provided in drip feed containers. |
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| AILMENTS | ||
| These small rodents have very poor recuperative powers. If you
suspect it is ill take it to a vet immediately. However, prevention
is better than cure and it is very important that their home is kept clean.
Their food should be fresh and replaced daily to avoid INTESTINAL COMPLAINTS.
Avoid sudden changes in temperature, draughts and dampness which could
lead to BRONCHITIS or PNEUMONIA.
EXTERNAL PARASITES It is very rare for a rat to get fleas, etc., but should you notice an infestation use a cat flea powder after thorough cleaning the cage and replacing all bedding and sawdust. NO APPETITE If your rat seems to be off its food, check its teeth as they may need trimming by a vet. However, this problem should not occur if you have sufficient gnawing materials in its cage. |
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