Articles tagged with 'Rats'
What should I feed my rats?
Wild rats are omnivorous, often eating grasses, seeds, grain, and occasionally invertebrates. Fortunately for the owners of pet rats, the nutritional requirements of rats are well established from work done in rats kept in laboratories (the same species as those we keep as companions).
Where should I keep my rats?
Location Where you place your rats’ enclosure is just as important as the type of enclosure and its accessories. So, where can you place the enclosure?
Can my rats get parasites?
Rats are sometimes affected by infestations of external parasites such as fur mites. Clinical signs of infestation include bald patches, thinning of hair, excess scurf (small dry flakes) on the skin, and self-induced trauma as the affected rats scratch or chew themselves.
Are rats the right companion animals for me?
Owning and caring for pet rats is great fun and very rewarding, but it’s also a big responsibility and commitment in terms of time, care, and finances. They are not low-maintenance pets, as some people may tell you.
What are common health problems in rats?
Dental disease Overgrown incisor teeth (particular the lower incisors) are the most common oral problem in rats as their incisors continuously grow.
What company do my pet rats need?
Rats need the company of other rats and usually coexist happily together as long as they have enough space, resources, and opportunities to engage in behaviours they find rewarding, especially chewing and hiding/burrowing.
How should I interact with and handle my rats?
Their curious nature and friendly disposition generally make rats relatively easy to handle and their intelligence makes them easy to train. You should only use positive reinforcement (reward-based training using food treats and other things they value) to train them and they must never be punished.
How should I groom my rats?
Rats are very clean and usually do a great job of grooming themselves. Washing your rat Because of their cleanliness, rats rarely need a wash. The exceptions are elderly or arthritic pets who can’t wash themselves, or pets who have somehow gotten really dirty and can’t clean themselves.
How can I keep my rats safe from household hazards?
Rats are generally best protected in their enclosure, as this limits their access to potential dangers and keeps them safe. However, even when they are in their enclosure, there are still potential dangers – the danger may come to them, or they might escape.
How can I use environmental enrichment to provide opportunities for my rats to experience good welfare?
What is environmental enrichment? Environmental enrichment describes the provision of physical and social opportunities to promote rat behaviour that is important, valuable, and specific to them.