Rats & Mice Preventive Care
Rats and mice are rodents and while they are relatively short-lived, they make excellent pets as they can easily be handled, are rarely aggressive and fun to watch.
The average life span for a rat is about 2-3 years and for a mouse about 1-2 years. Young, called pups, are weaned at 3 weeks of age. Male and female pups should be separated early because they are able to reproduce by 65 days! Pregnancy lasts around 3 weeks.
As with all small mammals, diet and housing are the biggest factors in health and longevity.
Diet
Commercial pellet formulas are readily available at most stores and are the main component of their diet. Seed diets are convenient but they can lead to obesity and nutritional deficiencies. Also, some rats and mice will pick through the seed mixture and waste most of the food. You may occasionally sprinkle small amounts of seed into a separate dish for a “treat.”
Water should be provided in a sipper tube bottle and this needs to be changed and filled daily.
Housing
A wide variety of rodent cages are available, some complete with “toys.” Toys are provided for activity and to prevent boredom. The cage should be free of sharp edges or wooden objects and easy to clean (including all items within the cage). Mice and rats love to burrow and shredded paper can be used as flooring but this should be changed daily. Sanitation is extremely important. An enclosure, such as a hut provides privacy and a sleeping den.
The cage should be kept out of direct sunlight and free from cold drafts. Rodents prefer an ambient temperature of approximately 65-75°F. They will sleep during the day but a 12-hour light cycle is optimal.
Rodents are social creatures and will enjoy the company of other mice or rats. Remember that they can mate and produce large litters!
Never leave your mouse or rat alone with a dog or cat as play can lead to injury and stress.
Handling
Rats and mice are usually easy to pick up by either scooping in the palm of your hand (mice and smaller rats) or by picking up at the base of the tail (larger rats). Avoid grabbing the end of the tail as injury may occur. Let them know of your presence before grabbing them to prevent fear and struggling. Never pick them up when they are asleep—would you want to be startled from your sleep!?!
Health concerns
Good quality food, fresh water and proper housing are the most crucial factors in rodent health, but diseases can occur despite these.
Monitor activity, hair coat quality, appetite and water intake and stool production. Changes in these can signify disease.
Enteritis (inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract) can produce soft stools or diarrhea and dehydration. Antibiotic treatments can often cause fatal enteritis.
Rodents can carry pinworms and these can be transmitted to people, especially children. Practice good sanitation when handling any animal in your house.
Pneumonia is a disease caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus or environmental agent and can be fatal. You may notice nose and eye discharge and a loss in appetite and hair coat quality. Antibiotics are needed but should be used carefully to prevent toxic gastroenteritis. This is a contagious condition and any sick rats or mice should be separated from others as soon as possible. Re-introduce them back to the others whenever all clinical signs have been resolved.
A condition called Tyzzer’s disease results from a bacterium and thrives in dirty, stressful environments. Affected animals become rapidly sick and may die, even with intervention.
Remember that rodents age rapidly and old age changes can occur almost “suddenly”! Give them the best food and care possible.
We recommend that you purchase a good reference book for rodent care!