Rat Care
I wanted to create a page to share how our rats are cared for, not only to give you an idea of how our rats taken care of but to give you ideas on how to care for your own pet rats. There are many different approaches to caring for rats and the following is the way I care for mine but is in no way the only correct method.
I keep all my rats in cages with other rats of the same sex, unless they are paired for breeding. Rats are social critters by nature and dont like to be alone. I often see rats young and adults playing with one another and sleeping in "piles." I would never want to deprive my rats of this necessary bond. For this reason I do not adopt single rats and require that all babies be adopted in same sex pairs.
I keep all my rats in cages with other rats of the same sex, unless they are paired for breeding. Rats are social critters by nature and dont like to be alone. I often see rats young and adults playing with one another and sleeping in "piles." I would never want to deprive my rats of this necessary bond. For this reason I do not adopt single rats and require that all babies be adopted in same sex pairs.
Food
I prefer to stay away from the commercial rat blocks. I have reviewed the ingredient lists and I just dont feel comfortable feeding the blocks to my rats. Instead I have chosen Castor and Pollux Natural Ultramix weight management formula. The reason for the weight control is that the protein and fat content is lower then that in the regular formula and more correct for the rat. The ingredients in the food are all natural and simple and it contains no corn, wheat or soy. This food in particular has pieces of dried fruits and veggies loose in the food, the rats love it and promptly pick them out whenever I add new food in their bowls.
INGREDIENTS: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Rice, Ground Whole Oats, Ground Whole Barley, Dried Bananas, Peas, Tomato Pomace, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Ground Whole Flax Seed, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Potato, mono-Calcium Phosphate, Natural chicken Flavor, Dried Carrots, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Salmon Meal, Dried Egg Product, Dried Cranberries, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Chondroitin Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Choline Chloride, Niacin, Carnitine, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract
My rats do get fresh veggies and fruit as treats as well as the occasional all natural dog cookie. I do not however supplement, I dont feel the need to add extra protein, fat or vitamins into their diet. I would like them to grow at their natural pace, maintain a healthy weight and I feel that they should have a certain natural vigor and hardiness that does not need the support of a bunch of "extras."
INGREDIENTS: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Rice, Ground Whole Oats, Ground Whole Barley, Dried Bananas, Peas, Tomato Pomace, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Ground Whole Flax Seed, Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Potato, mono-Calcium Phosphate, Natural chicken Flavor, Dried Carrots, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Salmon Meal, Dried Egg Product, Dried Cranberries, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Chondroitin Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Choline Chloride, Niacin, Carnitine, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract
My rats do get fresh veggies and fruit as treats as well as the occasional all natural dog cookie. I do not however supplement, I dont feel the need to add extra protein, fat or vitamins into their diet. I would like them to grow at their natural pace, maintain a healthy weight and I feel that they should have a certain natural vigor and hardiness that does not need the support of a bunch of "extras."
Ive also found this food from Costco and really like it, the rats do too!
Ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, peas, cracked pearled barley, millet, powdered cellulose, oatmeal, chicken, rice bran, potatoes, dried beet pulp, chicken fat (preserved with natural tocopherols), natural flavor, flaxseed, fish meal, egg product, choline chloride, glucosamine hydrochloride, dried chicory root, chondroitin sulfate, L-Carnitine, carrots, kelp, apples, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganses proteinate, maganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.
Cages
I use a variety of cages for my rats & each cage has a specific purpose.
Custom KW cages- These cages have 1/2" x 1" wire so that even the dwarf rats are secure. They have slide out pans for easy cleaning and they are very easy to hang toys, hammocks and things to climb on. They have room for a wheel and the rats seem to really like them. Everything can be taken out making it very easy to sterilize these cages and change the layout if the rats get bored.
KW rodent cage(pictured)- These cages are perfect for weanling babies. They have a small ramp and level so the babies can have fun climbing without a huge risk of getting hurt while they are still learning the ropes.
Home-made tub cages(pictured)- These are used as nursery cages. Pregnant moms and nursing moms are housed in these cages. They work very well as nursery cages, they regulate the temperature nicely and having solid sides babies cant slip out or get caught. They are also single level so moms with big bellies and little babies cant get hurt trying to climb. The entire top comes off so I can easily check on litters without disturbing them too much
I use a variety of cages for my rats & each cage has a specific purpose.
Custom KW cages- These cages have 1/2" x 1" wire so that even the dwarf rats are secure. They have slide out pans for easy cleaning and they are very easy to hang toys, hammocks and things to climb on. They have room for a wheel and the rats seem to really like them. Everything can be taken out making it very easy to sterilize these cages and change the layout if the rats get bored.
KW rodent cage(pictured)- These cages are perfect for weanling babies. They have a small ramp and level so the babies can have fun climbing without a huge risk of getting hurt while they are still learning the ropes.
Home-made tub cages(pictured)- These are used as nursery cages. Pregnant moms and nursing moms are housed in these cages. They work very well as nursery cages, they regulate the temperature nicely and having solid sides babies cant slip out or get caught. They are also single level so moms with big bellies and little babies cant get hurt trying to climb. The entire top comes off so I can easily check on litters without disturbing them too much
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Bedding
Rice Hulls- This bedding was suggested to me by a friend and I actually really like it. Its not dusty, its inexpensive and it seems to stay very clean and its soft for the rats. Note: I do not use it for expecting moms, it can stick to new babies.
Carefesh- I use this bedding for travel or for expecting moms. It is very absorbent and soft. Mom rats can make amazing nests with the bedding and its great for insulating new litters.
Aspen- I also use aspen in the same ways I use Carefresh. It doesnt feel as soft as the Carefresh to me but it does work well and the rats seem to like it.
Rice Hulls- This bedding was suggested to me by a friend and I actually really like it. Its not dusty, its inexpensive and it seems to stay very clean and its soft for the rats. Note: I do not use it for expecting moms, it can stick to new babies.
Carefesh- I use this bedding for travel or for expecting moms. It is very absorbent and soft. Mom rats can make amazing nests with the bedding and its great for insulating new litters.
Aspen- I also use aspen in the same ways I use Carefresh. It doesnt feel as soft as the Carefresh to me but it does work well and the rats seem to like it.
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Toys
Rats love to play! They are very active and like to have something to keep them occupied. I provide my rats with a variety of toys to stimulate their minds and keep them busy.
Wheels are a wonderful addition to any cage, rats baby to aged love to run on wheels, im surprised at how fast they can go sometimes.
Hammocks made of 100% fleece are also a good thing. Rats will enjoy climbing up into them and also they are a very soft place to take a nap. I only use 100% fleece as other fabrics can have threads that can get caught up in legs or teeth. By laying two pieces of fleece together and putting four bird toy hangers, one in each corner a hammock can be made very easily. You can also sew the hammocks, insuring all seams are on the inside but rats "customize" their hammocks so quickly I often just prefer to make them without sewing.
Hanging wooden bird toys are something that is loved by all my rats. They can climb on them, swing them around and chew on them.
Rats love to play! They are very active and like to have something to keep them occupied. I provide my rats with a variety of toys to stimulate their minds and keep them busy.
Wheels are a wonderful addition to any cage, rats baby to aged love to run on wheels, im surprised at how fast they can go sometimes.
Hammocks made of 100% fleece are also a good thing. Rats will enjoy climbing up into them and also they are a very soft place to take a nap. I only use 100% fleece as other fabrics can have threads that can get caught up in legs or teeth. By laying two pieces of fleece together and putting four bird toy hangers, one in each corner a hammock can be made very easily. You can also sew the hammocks, insuring all seams are on the inside but rats "customize" their hammocks so quickly I often just prefer to make them without sewing.
Hanging wooden bird toys are something that is loved by all my rats. They can climb on them, swing them around and chew on them.
