For those of us looking for a smaller, affordable but still fun and interactive pet, mice, and especially rats, can make fantastic companion animals. Both species belong to the murine group of rodents and have incisors (front teeth) that grow continuously throughout their lives.
1. Family matters
Both rats and mice naturally live in large colonies and will be much happier kept as a group, or at least as a pair. Lonely rats and mice can develop behavioural problems, such as hair-pulling, tail-biting and stereotypic behaviour.
2. Prevent unwanted litters
As both species breed regularly from a young age and can have large litters, it is recommended to either have them sterilised, or to keep colonies of only one sex. It is a simpler procedure to sterilise males than females, but mammary cancer is very common and will be largely prevented if the female is sterilised (this removes the source of oestrogen, which is the hormone that predisposes them to breast cancer).
3. Young and healthy
Always try to buy young animals from reputable breeders, as they are easier to tame and will settle down with others quite quickly. It is important to choose a healthy pet, and one should look for a smooth, glossy coat, bright eyes and lots of interest in the environment. A healthy rodent is constantly sniffing the air and twitching his whiskers. There are many different breeds available with different colours, coat types (curly coat, hairless, long coat) and ear shapes. Some of the fancier types do, however, need extra care.
4. Easily tamed
Young and new animals may be skittish, but could be tamed quickly with gentle handling and yummy treats. Pet rats practically never bite unless in pain or very frightened. Mice bite more readily, but young animals will quickly become trusting. The best way to pick up a pet mouse is to cup him in your hands. They do jump, so be very careful not to allow them to fall. Rats may be scooped up in cupped hands or gently lifted by a hand around the chest and belly. They should never be picked up by their tails.
5. Ideal housing
The cage should be as large as possible and should have multiple levels, hiding boxes, hammocks and different areas to explore. A wheel to run on will be much appreciated by both species but should be made of solid plastic, not wire bars, as their feet and tails can become caught between the bars while they are running, and they can be badly injured.
Different substrates can be used for the bottom of the cage. Pine shavings are the traditional bedding, but many animals develop allergies and chronic lung problems from the wood dust. Newspaper is safe but unattractive, and will be chewed up and taken to the nesting areas. Compressed wood pellet bedding works well, as does purpose-made paper tissue bedding. Many rat owners use fleece towelling which they wash regularly.
One way of minimising the smell of a mouse colony (mouse urine has a much stronger and sharper smell than that of rats) is to use odour-controlling cat litter as a base, covered by shredded paper.
6. Glorious food
Feeding your rats or mice is a straightforward affair, as there are commercial, balanced rat and mouse pellets available. This diet can be supplemented three times a week with fruit, vegetables, grains and a small number of healthy seeds and nuts. Twice a week a little cooked chicken or boiled egg as an extra source of protein can be given.
7. Mental stimulation
As mice and rats are highly intelligent creatures, they need enrichment to keep them stimulated and prevent boredom. In their natural environment, they spend most of the day exploring and looking for food. We can mimic these activities by providing foraging toys for them. These are toys where a puzzle must be solved, or an action performed, to access a food treat. There are many websites that demonstrate how to make these toys, and one can also purchase commercially made puzzles suitable for rodents.
8. Training
Rats love learning and respond very well to clicker training. They can be taught to come when called, to fetch and to run through mini agility courses, among many other tricks. There is a lot of information on rat training on the internet and on YouTube.
Ideal for children
Due to their gentle and friendly nature, simple requirements, affordability and ability to learn tricks, we consider rats to be one of the best exotic pets for children. Please remember that all children should be supervised when handling exotic pets, especially younger children, and that washing hands after playing with animals is good practice.
By Dr Dorianne Elliott, veterinarian
