Rat and mouse

Caring for rats and mice as pets requires dedication. Rats are highly intelligent and social creatures, which makes them suitable as pets. However, this also means that they have a daily need for varied activity and interaction with you. Rats thrive best with plenty of space, climbing opportunities and safe hiding places. They are a good fit for children who want an active pet and some contact, but rats are not typical "cuddle animals."

Both rats and mice are social creatures, it is recommended to keep at least two of the same sex together. They thrive in groups of individuals of the same sex. Males are often calm and relaxed, while females are often a little more active. You can also keep females and males together, but then there will be babies quickly!

Rats and mice need plenty of space to thrive, so it's important to have a cage that's big enough. Here are some things to consider when buying a cage for rats and mice:

• The cage must be airy enough, and have both climbing opportunities and hiding places.
• A minimum of 0.08 square meters per rat or mouse is recommended. Since these rodents like to climb, a tall cage with several platforms is often more desirable than wide, low cages. For example, an ideal cage might measure 70 cm wide, 40–50 cm deep, and 80 cm high.
• The cage bars should not be wider than 1-1.5 cm to prevent little paws from getting out through larger openings. Place the cage in a permanent place in your home, avoid direct sunlight or drafts, and choose a quieter area. You may want to place the cage on an elevated surface, such as a table.
• For travel purposes, it makes sense to have a suitable transport cage for your rats or mice, both when picking them up and for any veterinary visits.

Rats must always have free access to dry food in the form of nutritious pellets. You can also supplement with a seed mixture to give them variety and activity, but it should never make up more than half of their daily intake. Give the same food that they are used to at first. To avoid an upset stomach, you should always have a gentle transition when changing food. You can also give fresh food daily, and rats will happily eat our food. You can give vegetables, root vegetables and legumes daily.

Mice can eat pretty much the same things as rats, and it is common to feed mice rat food. This works just fine. You can also get mouse food specifically developed for mice. In addition to rats, mice can also get some fruit and vegetables. However, be careful with portion sizes to avoid obesity.

When it comes to litter, it is important to avoid litter made from conifers or dusty materials, such as regular shavings/sawdust. These materials can potentially damage the liver and weaken the immune system of rats and mice. Cat litter should also not be used, as this is dangerous for the animals to swallow. We recommend, for example, a soft and dust-free litter made of paper.

To create a stimulating environment, it is recommended to invest in variety in the cage. Rats and mice love to climb. Multiple levels, plateaus, exciting tunnels, houses with multiple exits, and safe rodent toys are good choices. By changing the decor regularly, you can give your rodents variety.

At A-Vet we are passionate about your pet. Whether you are the proud owner of a pair of rats, a fish or a rabbit , you will find high quality products with us. We also have an abundant selection for dogs and cats, for those of you looking for food for your kitty or a dog leash for Fido. Explore our online store and discover safe and great products for all kinds of pets.