Diet
Right now, all of my rats are fed a mix of Mazuri rodent block (23% protein), Lab Diet 5001 (24% protein), dog food (18-24% protein, depending on what’s available), grains and vegetables. Exactly what we feed at any given time varies depending on store availability.
Other proper diets include Oxbow (essentials and garden select) in adult or baby rat formulations (depending on the age of your rats), Science Selective rat pellets, and Kruse Perfection Brand rat food. Other brands of lab blocks are also out there, but beware of quality. I DO NOT recommend anything food wise by Kaytee (blocks or seed mixes), or any seed mixes by Higgins, Sunseed, or Browns as a main diet. You can use seed mixes SPARINGLY as treats, but it’s not proper for a daily diet for pet rats. They can pick out what they want to eat, and they won’t get properly balanced nutrition that way. Most seeds diets are also too high in fat.
Right now, all of my rats are fed a mix of Mazuri rodent block (23% protein), Lab Diet 5001 (24% protein), dog food (18-24% protein, depending on what’s available), grains and vegetables. Exactly what we feed at any given time varies depending on store availability.
Other proper diets include Oxbow (essentials and garden select) in adult or baby rat formulations (depending on the age of your rats), Science Selective rat pellets, and Kruse Perfection Brand rat food. Other brands of lab blocks are also out there, but beware of quality. I DO NOT recommend anything food wise by Kaytee (blocks or seed mixes), or any seed mixes by Higgins, Sunseed, or Browns as a main diet. You can use seed mixes SPARINGLY as treats, but it’s not proper for a daily diet for pet rats. They can pick out what they want to eat, and they won’t get properly balanced nutrition that way. Most seeds diets are also too high in fat.
You want to make sure you're using at least a diet with a protein level of 18% or more for babies. If you’re using Oxbow, the adult food is nutritionally deficient for baby rats. You want to use Oxbow Young Rat food until they're at least 6-8 months old.
Snack and Treats
My rats get several snacks, according to their sex, age, weight, and status in life. I sparingly feed treats to my retired rats (and any spayed females), so as not to make them overweight. My males are controlled in their treats, as I do not want their weight to be an issue with their fertility nor do I want them so chunky they can't move. Don't get me wrong, I love squishy boys, but they have to be fit and squishy, not fat and squishy.
My babies are allowed the most freedom when it comes to variety of snacks. They get very small amounts of treats, so they can explore and decide what they like to eat, or don't like. They start exploring with treats when they are about 2-3 weeks old, as their moms get the occasional snack while nursing them.
I do not feed, nor recommend feeding, Yogies.
It's the equivilant to giving sugar to a kid, and Yogies are pure sugar. Instead I feed a yogurt-covered puffed grain snack made for toddlers. It is whole grain with no added sugar, preservatives, and is all- natural. I also feed rice crackers, cereal, and freeze dried fruit made for toddlers. They are much healthier snacks for my ratties, although they are a bit more expensive. (But my rats are worth it!)
My rats get several snacks, according to their sex, age, weight, and status in life. I sparingly feed treats to my retired rats (and any spayed females), so as not to make them overweight. My males are controlled in their treats, as I do not want their weight to be an issue with their fertility nor do I want them so chunky they can't move. Don't get me wrong, I love squishy boys, but they have to be fit and squishy, not fat and squishy.
My babies are allowed the most freedom when it comes to variety of snacks. They get very small amounts of treats, so they can explore and decide what they like to eat, or don't like. They start exploring with treats when they are about 2-3 weeks old, as their moms get the occasional snack while nursing them.
I do not feed, nor recommend feeding, Yogies.
It's the equivilant to giving sugar to a kid, and Yogies are pure sugar. Instead I feed a yogurt-covered puffed grain snack made for toddlers. It is whole grain with no added sugar, preservatives, and is all- natural. I also feed rice crackers, cereal, and freeze dried fruit made for toddlers. They are much healthier snacks for my ratties, although they are a bit more expensive. (But my rats are worth it!)
Bedding
For bedding, I use several different kinds. I mainly use kiln dried pine shavings. I can't use aspen- I'm severely allergic to it, however it's also a good bedding to use. Other options include wood stove pellets (MUST be accelerant free), aspen pellets, rabbit pellets (alfafa based) SoPhresh softwood bedding from Petco, and hemp bedding. I do use shredded paper for them to play and nest in. Just make sure to freeze any wood chip bedding for 48 hours prior to use, to kill any mites or lice present in wood bedding. I personally do not use pine bedding from tractor supply as recent bales have been moldy smelling when opened. Some have had no issues with that, but I have, and mold is a big trigger for my asthma. The SoPhresh softwood bedding (aka pine) from Petco is a lot softer and has not had a mold issue that I’ve seen or smelled. Where your buy bedding is your choice.
As for the debate on using pine for rats- the liver issues associated with pine shavings hasn't been proven in rats. It has been proven in some rabbits; however, rats and rabbits aren't the same species. My rats have been housed on kiln dried pine for almost 15 years, and have had fewer health issues ever since. I haven't seen an upper respiratory infection in well over 9 years (exception being new ones in quarantine, but that's not from bedding). As long as it's kiln dried, it's safe.
For bedding, I use several different kinds. I mainly use kiln dried pine shavings. I can't use aspen- I'm severely allergic to it, however it's also a good bedding to use. Other options include wood stove pellets (MUST be accelerant free), aspen pellets, rabbit pellets (alfafa based) SoPhresh softwood bedding from Petco, and hemp bedding. I do use shredded paper for them to play and nest in. Just make sure to freeze any wood chip bedding for 48 hours prior to use, to kill any mites or lice present in wood bedding. I personally do not use pine bedding from tractor supply as recent bales have been moldy smelling when opened. Some have had no issues with that, but I have, and mold is a big trigger for my asthma. The SoPhresh softwood bedding (aka pine) from Petco is a lot softer and has not had a mold issue that I’ve seen or smelled. Where your buy bedding is your choice.
As for the debate on using pine for rats- the liver issues associated with pine shavings hasn't been proven in rats. It has been proven in some rabbits; however, rats and rabbits aren't the same species. My rats have been housed on kiln dried pine for almost 15 years, and have had fewer health issues ever since. I haven't seen an upper respiratory infection in well over 9 years (exception being new ones in quarantine, but that's not from bedding). As long as it's kiln dried, it's safe.
Caging
I recently switched my rats to large sterilite homemade bins. I also switched my maternity cages to bins as well. Due to having four back surgeries and hip surgery, I can't move large wire cages or aquariums for cleaning any more. Five years of it was enough. The bins are lightweight, easily moved for cleaning, and give my rats plenty of space to play, run in wheels, and socialize.
I recently switched my rats to large sterilite homemade bins. I also switched my maternity cages to bins as well. Due to having four back surgeries and hip surgery, I can't move large wire cages or aquariums for cleaning any more. Five years of it was enough. The bins are lightweight, easily moved for cleaning, and give my rats plenty of space to play, run in wheels, and socialize.
We also use rat lab bins to pair rats, and for some new moms with babies less than 2 weeks old.
Other appropriate cages include Critter Nation cages (single and double unit cages), Martins Cages (R-680 and bigger) [NOW DISCONTINUED UNLESS YOU FIND ONE USED], Prevue Hendrix cages, and Petco Rat Manor cages (for a standard size pair or dwarf trio only).
Ferret cages are unacceptable due to the fact they have larger bar spacing- 5/8 inch up to 1 inch or more. Rats will escape through the bars, especially babies. Ferret Nation cages are included- that’s why the company made the Critter Nation cage.
There are other cages available, just make sure the bar spacing is 1/2 inch or less. Otherwise you'll have escapees.
Ferret cages are unacceptable due to the fact they have larger bar spacing- 5/8 inch up to 1 inch or more. Rats will escape through the bars, especially babies. Ferret Nation cages are included- that’s why the company made the Critter Nation cage.
There are other cages available, just make sure the bar spacing is 1/2 inch or less. Otherwise you'll have escapees.
CARRIERS
Lately there have been several people showing up for adoption pickup using inappropriate carriers.
FROM NOW ON IF YOU SHOW UP USING ONE LISTED IN TABLE 1 YOU WILL BE SENT HOME. In order to protect the ethics of quarantine, you can not visit a pet store before or after coming to pick up your rats. We will reschedule pickup to another day within a week so you can purchase a correct carrier (see table 2 for examples). If you choose not to get a proper carrier, you will forfeit the reserved babies and will be removed from my adoption list.
NO EXCEPTIONS!!
Lately there have been several people showing up for adoption pickup using inappropriate carriers.
FROM NOW ON IF YOU SHOW UP USING ONE LISTED IN TABLE 1 YOU WILL BE SENT HOME. In order to protect the ethics of quarantine, you can not visit a pet store before or after coming to pick up your rats. We will reschedule pickup to another day within a week so you can purchase a correct carrier (see table 2 for examples). If you choose not to get a proper carrier, you will forfeit the reserved babies and will be removed from my adoption list.
NO EXCEPTIONS!!