The choice of a pet is a purely individual matter. As the saying goes, all animals taste and color are different. Therefore, some people have neither cats or dogs, but a small and nimble animal - a decorative rat. It is worth familiarizing yourself with the rules for the care and maintenance of this rodent.
What you need to know when starting a rat at home?
It is necessary to understand that a rat, albeit a decorative one, is the most ordinary rodent. That is why she will gnaw everything in the house that seems edible to her. In addition, rat walks around the apartment are accompanied not only by damage to certain things, but also by the mark of their territory. Fortunately, the liquid that the rats use for this is odorless and excreted in negligible quantities. In any case, while walking around the house, the animal needs an eye and an eye.
How to keep a rat at home?
Temperature. The ambient temperature should be at least 18 ° C, but not higher than 25 ° C, and the air humidity should be from 50% to 60%. This temperature regime is the most comfortable for the rodent. Violation of these norms can lead to the occurrence of certain catarrhal diseases in the animal. That is why the cage with the rat should not be placed in a draft or in direct sunlight.
Cell. Particular attention must be paid to the cage, which will be the "house" for the rodent. The cage should be spacious, equipped with ladders and various toys necessary for a decorative rat, which is a rather active animal. The most optimal choice would be a two-story cage, which allows the rat to climb freely around its home.
In the cage, you need to set up a drinker (water source), a ladder leading to the second floor, and, of course, bowls for food. Some people buy a plastic wheel for their rats, put it in a cage, and then wonder why their animal ignores it. Everything is very simple! Running in such wheels is the prerogative of hamsters, but not decorative rats. Since rats are rodents that do not particularly like daylight, a special house can be installed in the cage. But this is optional. As mentioned above, the cage should not be placed in a draft or in the sun. Near the battery, the rat "house" has nothing to do either - dry air is harmful to the animal.
Litter. Do not use sawdust and other wood shavings as bedding. Small sawdust used as bedding can get in the eyes of the rodent, cause allergies or even irritate the skin of the rat. It is better to use white paper or a piece of natural fabric for bedding.
Feed. Ornamental rats should be fed a variety of foods: oats, wheat, barley. It is necessary to take care of microelements with vitamins. It is necessary to add boiled kidneys, heart and liver to the animal's diet. Hazelnuts, pine nuts, and chicken bones are suitable for grinding teeth. In addition, rats love berries and fruits.
Baby rats should be fed up to 4 times in one day, and adults only need to eat 2 times a day. There is no need to spoil the rodent's stomach with various fatty and fried foods, as well as raw potatoes, cabbage and chocolate.
Cleaning the cage. The cage should be cleaned at least once a week! The fact is that rats prefer their own smell, so you should not scare them by cleaning the cage to a shine. During cleaning, the litter is changed, all the bowls are washed and processed. It is recommended to completely disinfect the cage once a month. The water in the drinker needs to be changed every day, as it can quickly become dirty.
