Animal Care Associates, Inc
840 Oakwood Road
Charleston, WV 25314
304-344-2244

Basic Rat and Mouse Care

Rodents in their great diversity of temperaments, shapes and activities have been common as pets for many decades.  They are often one of the first pets of young children because they are small, inexpensive, easily maintained and usually very tractable.  They require little space (hence the name "pocket pets") and are enjoying increasing popularity in a society where people want to have pets but are often limited by space, time and resources.  

General

The term rodent is derived from the Latin word rodere-which is defined as any of an order of relatively small gnawing mammals. Rodents are the most numerous of all mammals.  Included in the order Rodentia are animals such as beaver, squirrel, porcupine, chinchilla, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters, chipmunks, gerbils and prairie dogs.

Rodents have adapted to many different environments.  Rats and mice originated in central Asia and were able to broaden their range through trade and military routes.  Rats were first kept as pets by fanciers in the 17th century.  In later centuries they were used for sport, pitting rats against terriers. Scientific experimentation using rats as models began in the mid 1800's.  Rodents are clean, quiet, and most are easily trained.  Human allergies to rodent dander and urine are fairly common.  With proper care and commitment from the owner, they can make excellent pets.

Nutrition

Rats and mice should be fed commercially produced lab blocks free choice.  Occasional treats of seed mix, fruits and vegetables, bread, and cheese may be offered, but should not be the animal's only source of nutrition.  Commercial diets should be purchased in small quantities and stored in the freezer to prevent spoilage.  Supplementation is not necessary if commercial lab blocks are fed.

The Cage

We recommend that your pet be housed in either metal or plastic cages with a solid or mesh flooring.  The sides of the enclosure must be at least 5" high for mice and 7" high for rats.  Mice and rats usually divide their cage area up into special areas for sleeping, eating, and eliminating.  A hide box or rest box should be provided for your pet to afford it some privacy.  Other cage props should include toys, paper towel tubes, and climbing devices.

Substrate

The guidelines for rodent bedding require that it be "non-allergenic, dust free, absorptive, non-toxic, and clean." There is no "perfect" bedding commercially available, however many different types are offered.  Wood chips, wood shavings, corn cob, and kitty litter are the most frequently seen bedding.  Cedar chips should be avoided due to the irritating qualities of cedar oils.  We recommend the use of shredded newspaper or paper towels as rodent bedding.  Regardless of the type of bedding used, it should be changed at least two to three times per week.

Food and Water Dishes

Food is best delivered to rats and mice by a hopper or a heavy ceramic dish.  The use of a hopper lessens or eliminates the chance of fecal and urine contamination.  Water bottles with sipper tubes or ceramic dishes may be used; again the water bottle lessens the chance of contamination.  All dishes and bottles should be cleaned daily and disinfected weekly.

Temperature

The ambient temperature for rats and mice should be between 65°- 85° F.  The optimum room temperature range is 70°- 74° F. Keep in mind that mice, because of their small size and high metabolism, are very susceptible to temperature fluctuations.

Light

Rats and mice are nocturnal, or active mainly at night.  During the evening hours they play, forage, and feed.  Your pet should be provided with approximately 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness per day.  Too many hours of light or dark can stress your pet and cause health problems.

Handling

Rats should be restrained by holding the head with a thumb and forefinger behind the mandibles or jawbone and the other three fingers supporting the chest.  They may be lifted by the base of the tail close to the body.  The body should then be supported with the other hand.  Rats are not prone to biting unless they have been injured or frightened.

Mice may also be lifted by the base of the tail, with the body supported.  When handling rodents by the tail you must be very careful not to strip the skin from the tail, handling your pet by the base of the tail will help to prevent this.  If handled gently, rodents can make good pets.  All rodents have the potential to deliver painful bites if they are not handled properly.

Miscellaneous

The incisors of rodents are open rooted and grow continuously.  Their teeth, therefore, must meet properly to provide even wear.  Problems can occur if your pet's incisors or molars are not properly aligned.  Rats do not have a gallbladder or tonsils, they do possess a special gland called the Harderian gland.  The Harderian gland is larger than the eyeball, it's job is to lubricate the eye with a red, porphyrin rich secretion.  This secretion which stains the rodent's eyes and nose red, is often mistaken for blood.  The gland secretes this substance during time of high stress, such as illness, swimming or handling.  If you do notice red tears on your pet, please consult with your veterinarian, they may be a sign of an underlying problem.

Mice and rats have a keen sense of smell and hearing, however their vision is poor. Most rodents do not see in color.

The tail of your pet is used for both balance and heat exchange.  Cannibalism is not uncommon with sick or very young animals.
 
 

Biological Data
 

	Mice	Rats
Life Span	18-36 months	18-36 months
Weaning	21 days
Breeding	50-60-days	30 days
Gestation	19-21 days	21-23 days
Litter Size	10-12	6-14
Weight	20-40 gm (male)	300-800 gm (male)
	25-40 gm (female)	250-400 gm (female)

**Information taken from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
1991, Biomedical Communications Unit, Pullman, WA 99164-7013

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