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Back to Basics Rats are extremely hardy and born survivors. They live in colonies all over the world, except in areas where it’s extremely cold. Rats are accomplished at climbing, jumping and swimming. Company Rats are very gregarious and need company of their own kind. They are best kept in single sex pairs or groups. Does will usually get on together, but males may fight unless they are littermates. Does are smaller than bucks, but are more lively and tend to live longer. Stimulation Rats are very energetic and should be housed in a cage large enough for them to run around and preferably tall enough to allow some climbing. The cage should have a solid floor to avoid foot injuries. As with all small animals, a cage can be too small but never too big. Rats are very intelligent, particularly when it comes to finding food. In research, they have proved capable of deducing and memorising their way through a maze to find food, or, when faced with a series of small "doors" with distinctive markings, recognising and remembering which ones have food behind. Considerable stimulation is needed, therefore, to let these smart rodents come into their own. For the owner, enriching the rats’ routine can begin with feeding. Rather than simply offering food in a bowl, much enrichment and stimulation can be provided by hiding it around the cage so the rats have to work to find it - much as in the wild. Hiding treats or food in a cardboard toilet roll tube, burying it in bedding, or attaching it to the top of a tall branch are all ways to add interest and prevent boredom. Reggie Rat’A’Chewy Treats from Supreme are tempting, tasty, wholesome snack bars, which are perfect for hiding around the cage to encourage foraging. Environmental Enrichment Rats are gentle, playful and affectionate and enjoy being handled. They may be a little shy at first, but are easily tamed and bond quickly with their owners. As well as spending time with their owners, they love to play together and are very acrobatic. They love ladders, perches, swings and branches to climb. Exercise wheels are best avoided, because of the risk of damage to feet and tails, and most are too small. Rats will also enjoy being let out of the cage to run around the room and explore. However, doors and windows should be closed before the rats are let out, and they should not be left unsupervised. Particular care must be taken covering electric cables, to prevent them being chewed. Like all small animals, active and playful as they are, rats should always have the opportunity for privacy, and so the cage should contain a nesting box where they can hide from view. Health Quite apart from the need for socialisation and stimulation, daily handling is important to check for any signs of injury or ill health, i.e. cuts, lumps, runny eyes, dirty bottom. Teeth and nails should be checked for length. Like all rodents, rats need plenty of safe things to chew, i.e. hay, untreated wood, cardboard, to prevent dental overgrowth. Hygiene Rats are very clean, and have no odour as long as cage hygiene is adhered to. Cages should be thoroughly cleaned once a week. Supreme’s Home Help is a spray-on hutch and cage cleaning solution that works by eliminating bacteria, germs and odours. Soiled bedding should be replaced on a daily basis. Russel Bedding is ideal for all small animals. It’s made from very finely threshed barley straw and treated with a bactercidie, virucide and fungicide, so it’s soft, warm and fluffy, highly absorbent and entirely safe if eaten. |
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Reggie Rat Features of Reggie Rat |
Reggie Rat Rat Trivia |
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