some question about rats?

Question

i use kitty litter for their toilet, and newspaper for their bedding, is that ok, and i usually make pasta and cooked veggies for their dinner, has that got enough nutrients in it, and also i buy a rat mix called rat and mouse dry mix, is that ok. i also give them a water bottle and a bowl of water, i give them cardboard boxes for them to sleep in, whenever i give my rats different food they never seem to eat it all so then all the ants come and sworm their cage. why is this?

Answer 1

1) Kitty litter is ok if it is the recycled paper pellets. If it is any other sort, particularly clay, that is too dusty and will encourage respiratory infections.



2) The fresh food you are giving them is good. :) Keep those veggies going. I'd avoid rat and mouse mixes from supermarkets. These rarely contain the necessary goodness for rats and are generally fattening. Also, rats can pick out all their favourite bits (the fatty things like sunflower seeds and corn) and leave the healthy bits behind. Try a good quality lab block, which are a complete diet that rats can't pick and choose bits from. If you can't find any of those, google healthy dry mix recipes and make your own. :)



3) You are a braver person than me for using cardboard boxes. I just can't stand the smell when the chewed up scraps get peed on :P. I've had to switch to fabric and plastic. But cardboard is good for them and great fun. Give them some wooden stuff too, it's good for their teeth.



4) How are ants getting to your cage? Is it outside? If so, that's bad, bring it in. If not, move the cage somewhere else where the ants don't go. Clean up any uneated food (usually a sign you are giving them too much) once they have finished their meal and have wondered off to play. Clean out the bowl so that no stickyness is left behind.



They sound like happy, well-cared for rats to me. :)

Answer 2

I would not use kitty litter for them, it isn't good for them. Lab blocks are also better than the mixes because they have better nutrients that the rats need and they can't pick out what they like and don't like.

Rats only eat when they are hungry, they won't just eat for the sake of eating, that is why they do not eat all of their food. If you give them any kinds of fresh foods, you should only give them small amounts at a time so it doesn't spoil and make them sick. I don't know why ants are coming in their cage, is the cage outside? If so, you should probably move it inside, it isn't usually recommended to keep them outside, plus you're having the ant problem. If they are already inside, you should try to make sure ants can't get into your house, I have never had ants all over any food that I had inside the house.

Answer 3

You're doing ok, a few tips:



Cat litter is a no no..someone else on here has explained why.

Rat mixes are ok but not the best, go with what the other person said.

If they are storing the food that attracts ants you are feeding them too much of it. They can store the dry rat mix food but pasta and veggies can go bad fast so only feed them as much as they will eat. They are omnivorous scavengers so you can give them little bits of cooked chicken too.



I give mine ripped fabric for bedding but it will need cleaning/replacing often. Cheap to do if you rip up polar fleece, that doesn't loose threads they can get tangled in.



apart from the cat little you are doing well :)

Answer 4

Kitty litter will not do, you need something that is not dusty. Dusty things can cause mycoplasmosis flares, and I assume the litter is scented. Scented things will cause the flares too.

Rat mixes aren't okay either, you need a block such as Mazuri, Oxbow, or Native Earth (Harlan Teklad), Native earth is usually the best with rats, but you have to order it from sites like http://petfooddirect.com

Answer 5

kitty litter is dusty, has a strong odor, and can be irratating. also, it can be harmful if eaten. you can buy a special kind of litter for small animals, they sell it at most pet stores. Newspaper is okay as long as the ink is non-toxic. also, the ink may rub off on the rats fur, so if your rat has light colored fur, they may appear dirty. As for food, feed them lab blocks, with small amounts of veggies every day. and on occasions you can give them small amounts of certain fruits.(avoid citrus and avacado).

Answer 6

most cat litter is dusty but i use wooden cat litter. have been using it for 4 years with rats and have had no problems with it. the only problem i had with one rat when he got older was he would try to eat it so i had to take it out.

Answer 7

If there is a few squeaking and one pinning the different that's often play. yet while there is squeaking, blood, and the use o tooth then that's combat. If this takes place separate them as quickly as possible.

Answer 8

Give them money to order a pizza!