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CARE FOR YOUR RAT
Am I the right pet for you?
Rats make extremely good family pets; they are very intelligent and become quite tame with regular handling. There are many different colour variations available such as ñ white, black, agouti and chocolate. Rats are not very expensive to keep; however you should buy the largest and most interesting cage you can afford. Rats live, on average between two and two and a half years.
Where did I come form?
Fancy rats are descendants of the brown rat, which are thought to have originated from Asia. The keeping and breeding of fancy rats became popular in the early 1900's. As a result of captive breeding there are now many different colours and coat types, such as the Rex and even Hairless!
Where do I like to live?
Rats need lots of exercise and stimulation, so buy the largest cage you can afford. There are many different types of rodent cage available, however it is essential that the cage you buy is designed for rats and NOT smaller rodents such as hamsters. Perhaps the most suitable type of enclosure is either a large wire multi level cage or an aquarium with a well ventilated, secure lid as rats are extremely agile and can jump up to two feet or more! The minimum size cage for one rat is 60cm x 37cm x 22cm.
You should provide your rat with an entertaining environment. Suitable items include apple tree branches, rocks, tunnels and pieces of rope. Nesting boxes suitable for birds can also be provided. The base of the cage should be covered with a layer of wood-shavings (sawdust should not be used as it is too fine and can irritate eyes and noses, and cedar wood-shavings can cause an allergic reaction).
You can also provide your rat with paper nesting material for him to nest with. Straw is not suitable as bedding as it is too sharp and may injure your petís eyes and mouth.
Breeding
Female rats are capable of breeding at an early age. She can breed from as young as 6 weeks, but should be at least 12 weeks.
Pregnancy lasts between 21 to 23 days.
Average litter size is 8, but can vary up to 18.
The young rats eyes will open between 12 to 15 days.
The young can be removed from their mother at 4 weeks.
How to handle me
When you first get your rat home it is best to leave him alone for the first day or two, to allow him to get used to his new home. Allow your rat to sniff your hand before you handle him, this will help him get used to your smell. Gently stroke your rat in this cage to reassure him, once the rat allows your to do this he will normally allow you to pick him up. The rat should be gently scooped up with two hands, never pick him up by this tail. Once your rat becomes tame he will enjoy coming out to play at regular intervals.
Remember your rat likes to chew, so whenever you let him out of his cage he must be supervised at all times.
Keeping me fit and healthy
Rats normally stay healthy throughout their lives. However they can be prone to a number of common complaints, most of which can be avoided with correct care and attention.
Rats can be prone to breathing problems, if your rat starts sneezing and is scratching excessively and there are no signs of mites this may mean your rat is allergic to something. Cedar wood-shavings can sometimes cause allergic reactions in rats.
Your ratís teeth are constantly growing, and if they become too long he may be unable to eat properly. Signs that your rats teeth may not be growing properly are weight loss and a reluctance to eat and chew. Providing your rat with treats and a mineral block will help him to keep his teeth in trim. If your pets teeth do become overgrown your must take him to your vet.
What do I eat?
Rats in the wild are scavengers and will eat a wide range of foods. In captivity you should provide your rat with a varied diet. The basis of a good diet should consist of a dry rat mix containing a mixture of seeds, peanuts and biscuits. This should be supplemented with cooked egg and washed and dried vegetables such as sprouts, carrots, cress, tomatoes and apples. There are also a number of snacks and treats available for rats. Remember your rats basic diet should consist of a dry rat mixture, all green foods and treats should be fed in moderation to avoid upsetting his stomach.
All feed bowls should be sturdy earthenware bowls as they are heavy, gnaw proof and easily cleaned and disinfected. Uneaten food should be removed daily, and the food bowl thoroughly washed. Remember your rat will drink a lot compared to other rodents so make sure clean, fresh water is available at all times.
Do I like company?
Your rat can be kept singly providing that you give him lots of human contact, care and attention. If your prefer you can keep two females together provided you buy them as babies and at the same time. Remember that mixed sexes will breed very quickly.
Keeping me clean
The cage should be cleaned at least once a week with hot water and a disinfectant suitable for pets. Rats are very clean and normally do not smell. Your rat will normally use one area of his cage as a toilet; this may need cleaning daily to reduce any smell.
MY HAMSTER
Am I the right pet for you?
Hamsters make good family pets. They need very little space, are easy to look after.
They are nocturnal and therefore like to hide away during the day but will come out to play in the evening. Hamsters live, on average, for two and a half years.
Where did I come from?
The Syrian or Golden hamster comes from the deserts of North Africa. They were first bred in captivity in Israel from where they were introduced as pets to Britain. More recently other breeds have appeared from different parts of the world, for example, the Chinese hamster.
Where do I like to live?
Hamsters need a lot of exercise, so buy the biggest cage you can afford, preferably at least 60 cm long
x 30 cm wide x 45 cm high.
Plastic cages with metal tops are best as wooden ones will be gnawed and splinters can damage the hamsterís pouch. The modular, stacking systems such as Rotastak provide lots of interest and fun for pet and owner and you can add extra rooms to make them larger. Use wood chips on the floor and add either shredded paper of Nestledown for bedding. Do not use hay.
Hamsters will divide their accommodation up into sleeping, eating, bathroom and play areas.
Hamsters like to exercise daily and if provided with a wheel and/or a ball they can run the equivalent of 4 - 8 miles in an evening!
How to handle me
When you first get your hamster home, leave him alone for the first day or two to et used to his new surroundings. After that it is important to handle regularly to build up a relationship, but remember hamster have very poor vision. First of all talk to him and let him get used to your voice. Then introduce your hand so that he can become used to your smell. Finally pick him up very gently by cupping one hand under him and over him. Young children should be supervised when handling hamsters and must take great care not to drop them. Eventually he should come to you and eat out of your hand.
Breeding
Hamsters can reproduce faster than any other mammal. Females can breed at 6 weeks, but should be at least 12 weeks
Length of pregnancy is 16 days
Average litter size is 6, but can vary form 2-15
The young hamsterís eyes will open after 10-15 days
The young can be removed from their mother at 3 weeks and will be fully grown by 3 months.
Keeping me fit and healthy
Hamsters normally stay healthy throughout their short lives. However, there are a number of common complaints, most of which can be avoided by looking after them correctly.
If your hamsterís coat appears ruffled, he loses his appetite, coughs and sneezes and has a nasal discharge, he probably has a cold. Keep him warm and if symptoms persist take him to the vet. Hamsters can catch colds form humans so avoid handling if you have one.
Colds can be avoided by keeping the cage out of draughts and the temperature between 18-22 degrees C. In cold weather put more bedding in the cage. If you hamster becomes too cold he may go into hibernation and will need to be warmed up in your hands to wake him up.
Hamsters are susceptible to a severe diarrhoea known as Wet Tail which should be treated immediately by a vet. The cage should then be thoroughly cleaned with disinfectant. Wet Tail can be caused by rotten or mouldy food or bedding or by stress from too much handling, particularly with a new hamster.
Your hamster may suffer a mild form of diarrhoea from too much fruit or vegetables and too many dry pellets can cause constipation. In both cased an adjustment to the diet is required.
Your hamsterís teeth will grow constantly and if they get too long he may be unable to chew properly. Hamster treats and a mineral stone will help him wear his teeth down.
The hamsterís cage should be cleaned once a week with hot water and a pet safe disinfectant. Normally a hamster will use one area of his cage as a toilet so remove the wet litter from here daily.
Never let your hamster out of his cage unsupervised and remember he like to chew things, so keep him away form electric cables!
Do I like Company?
Well looked after hamsters are quite happy living on their own and it is best to keep Syrian hamsters alone. Females can be quite aggressive at certain times of the breeding cycle and males will almost certainly fight. If you want to keep more than one animal it is probably better to consider dwarf hamsters or gerbils.
What do I like to eat?
Hamsters in the wild are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of food. However, a dry hamster mix or pellets will provide all the minerals, vitamins and nutrients required and are clean and hygienic. Hamster will hoard their food and therefore fresh fruit, carrot, lettuce or cabbage should be fed by hand so that you know it has been eater and not hoarded away where it can rot.
Vitamin supplements can be added to the diet once a week and mineral blocks and chew treats are usually popular. Food bowls should be sturdy and hard to tip over as the hamsters will climb into them. They should be gnaw-proof and easy to clean. Remove uneaten food and wash food bowl daily and wash out the water bottle and drinking tube regularly.
Do I like Company?
Well looked after hamsters are quite happy living on their own and it is best to keep Syrian hamsters alone. Females can be quite aggressive at certain times of the breeding cycle and males will almost certainly fight. If you want to keep more than one animal it is probably better to consider dwarf hamsters or gerbils.
What do I like to eat?
Hamsters in the wild are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of food. However, a dry hamster mix or pellets will provide all the minerals, vitamins and nutrients required and are clean and hygienic. Hamster will hoard their food and therefore fresh fruit, carrot, lettuce or cabbage should be fed by hand so that you know it has been eater and not hoarded away where it can rot.
Vitamin supplements can be added to the diet once a week and mineral blocks and chew treats are usually popular. Food bowls should be sturdy and hard to tip over as the hamsters will climb into them. They should be gnaw-proof and easy to clean. Remove uneaten food and wash food bowl daily and wash out the water bottle and drinking tube regularly.
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