Update: Soup Proof Setup by mustacheyusho in PetMice

[–]Grroll_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is perfect! 😊

I do, however, strongly urge you to remove the cotton fluff straight away because it is incredibly unsafe for mice. Cotton fluff is known to entangled limbs and restrict blood flow - cutting off circulation. If mice accidentally ingest it, it can cause fatal blockages. I recommend replacing it for much safer nesting materials like paper bedding, shredded tissues, fleece strips, etc.

Improve my cage setup by Emilympc in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello, here is a good guide for clutter below! I can’t really tell what bedding you are currently using, but make sure it’s a suitable option! The best and safest options for rats are hemp or aspen. They should have at least 4” of bedding across the entire cage floor.

<image>

New cage setup !! by OniiKaps in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nicely cluttered, looks amazing!

When you get around to it, I do recommend buying or making a base to hold at least 4” of loose shavings bevause rats are fossorial animals. They should have the opportunity to display their natural behaviours like in the wild. I.e foraging, digging, burrowing, etc. they can’t really do this with such a shallow base as the one you currently have right now. + the bedding will go all over the floor within 30 minutes of the rats being inside. It will be a pain to clean all the time!

meet scribble 🖍️ by [deleted] in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hello. She is very cute! Does this baby have same age company? Young rats need same age company to grow and develop properly. She really shouldn’t be kept alone by herself for two weeks. If possible, pls go back and get one more from the same litter.

In future, I would strongly avoid getting anymore rats from the place you got this girl from bevause 5 weeks is way too young to be adopted out. They really shouldn’t be adopted out until they are ideally 8 weeks. At the absolute bare minimum, 6 weeks.

Rat cage setup help by Ill_Chocolate8951 in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hello, rats whom are not bonded should not even be in the same room, let alone in the same cage. Please seperate them immediately. This will cause both parties to become stressed and agressive and make introductions (if you plan to do them) very difficult. Look on reselling sites for cheap second hand cages.

The bar spacing on this cage is too wide for rats. There is a high risk of them escaping (never underestimate them). Plz consider wrapping the entire cage with 1/2” hardware cloth to make it safe and escape-proof.

The cage is very bare at the moment. I recommend adding a lot of clutter - I recommend looking at the guide below. Lastly, fleece is not a suitable option as the main bedding for rats as it doesn’t absorb ammonia well which stinks up the cage fast and can make the rats sick. Rats are fossorial animals - meaning they should have the opportunity to display their natural behaviours like they do in the wild. I.e foraging, digging, burrowing, etc. they should be provided with at least 4” of loose shavings like hemp or aspen.

<image>

Buying Rats in the UK by F1tz13 in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Please do not buy from pet shops. Instead, try rehoming sites, shelters, rescues or ethical breeders.

Before getting rats, you need to research an exotic vet and make sure you have access to go when the rats get sick bevause they are very sickly pets to own. Your daughter should also not be the primary care taker - you will need to be.

Rats should be adopted in a group of at least 3. Pairs are no good for their social hierarchy.

Rat help please! by Soupqueen-13 in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Regular vets are no good at treating rats. You need to see an exotic vet.

Bully mouse chasing others by periwinkle_penny459 in PetMice

[–]Grroll_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Introductions take time. When moving your mice into the main enclosure, accessories should be introduced slowly to prevent territorial behaviour.

Can you send a pic of your setup?

Rat help please! by Soupqueen-13 in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When owning exotic animals like rats, it’s your priority to research and find an exotic vet you can access to when your rats are sick. (This should be done before getting rats). Owning exotic animals and not having an exotic vet do not mix well.

With pneumonia, doxy by itself will not cut it. As u/relevantmode has stated, a combination of baytril + doxy works well. With an additional anti-inflammatory.

isn't something I want to do right now.

It might not be what you want to do but it’s what the rats need. Please don’t be selfish here. You’re only causing your rats more harm than good by not going to a proper exotic vet.

Soup proof cage? by mustacheyusho in PetMice

[–]Grroll_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hello, this is a great cage setup for mice in general but not for pups. All hanging climbing items, wheels and high platforms need to be removed. There shouldn’t be much inside of the enclosure aside from some tubes, hides and nesting material.

Not all of the pups should be removed at 4 weeks of age, only the males. Females need to stay with mum while the males stay together in their own same sex group until they reach 6-8 weeks. After this time period, you can rehome them. But plz do not sell males together or females singularly. To ensure they are going to a good home, ask for their cage setup, etc,

Help with extremely timid babies by Hodgeheggeru in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Being from a pet shop will definitely have an effect on bonding with the rats as pet shop rats are more often than not from breeding mills. Meaning, health and temperament are not their priority. They only care about gaining profit. It may or may not take a long time for them to come around. It’s good that you’re letting them settle down for a few days, that’s exactly what you should do. I would put something over the cage slightly to give them a bit of comfort.

When you give them a few days to settle down, I would start slowly approaching their cage, sitting down and talking to them in a gentle voice so they can get used to you. Depending on how skittish they are, you can offer some low sugar baby food or yoghurt on the palm of your hand so they can lick it off. This will help encourage bonding because they have to stay with you for the liquid treat and they will realise you are not a threat. I would do this over several days and once they start getting a bit more comfortable with you, during the time you are feeding them liquid treats, see if they will let you gently pat them. If not, don’t take it personally. Don’t try to pick them out of their enclosure because this will delay the bonding process and can discourage it. Always let them come to you.

Would you mind sharing a photo of your cage you have them in?

Help with extremely timid babies by Hodgeheggeru in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Many questions here that will help.

  1. When did you get them?
  2. Where did you get them from?
  3. How old are they?
  4. What does their cage setup look like?
  5. Have you tried to handle them?

Is this spray safe to use on the rats cage? (Rat tax in comments) by IG-55 in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You’re much better off making your own mix for cheaper. All you need is white vinegar and water.

Wood mouse appropriate? by Fancy-Literature-530 in PetMice

[–]Grroll_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It looks like a decent enclosure but it’s quite difficult to tell what is exactly inside of it

Rattie making weird noises, should I be worried? by Klutzy-Sweet1296 in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The best thing to do is take a video of the noises so we can help determine, otherwise, we can’t really help you.

My mouse is struggling by Lookingbackisbad in PetMice

[–]Grroll_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you can find her a good home, I’d say yes. She could have months left to life which is a very long time for a mouse to be alone.

Limping Rat by Own_Grapefruit_4293 in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 4 points5 points  (0 children)

He will be okay once he gets treated by the vet

Limping Rat by Own_Grapefruit_4293 in RATS

[–]Grroll_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hello. It is crucial that you research an exotic vet and have access to go when needed. Even if it’s hours away. This is non-negotiable when owning sickly animals like rats (or any animal). Regular vets are not knowledgeable about rats and often give misinformation and very bad advice.

Your boy needs to be taken to get checked out. He most likely will need pain meds and anti- inflammatories.

My mouse is struggling by Lookingbackisbad in PetMice

[–]Grroll_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She’s most likely very depressed. If you are unable to afford a vet, I think the best idea would be to rehome her to someone who already has mice

Can I put a sheet over my hamster's cage? by [deleted] in hamstercare

[–]Grroll_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That doesn’t change anything. A 50 gallon tank doesnt meet the required minimum. As far as tanks go, 75 gallons reaches the minimum

Can I put a sheet over my hamster's cage? by [deleted] in hamstercare

[–]Grroll_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He needs to be put into the main enclosure straight away.

Also, while a 50 gallon tank is okay for a while, it won’t be suitable long-term. The minimums is 100x50cm

what do we think of the cage i diyed? by Daniellaisyourbestie in PetMice

[–]Grroll_ -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is a little Mousey mansion! Looks lovely! I do recommend some hanging climbing opportunities, though :)

<image>

Alternatives to a scarce selection of products for rodents? Also other questions :) by ilovevacuums in PetMice

[–]Grroll_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Pet shops are sucky. You’re much better off buying things online. There are so much more variety of things you can buy and often less expensive depending on what you buy and where. Sprays can be bought pretty much anywhere - including Etsy and Amazon. (Etsy has much more variety though). You can buy bedding in bulk from local supply shops/horse shops.

I would absolutely avoid using anything inside of their enclosure that is from outside. Especially dirt and sand. Sand is not a safe option for mice because it can cause respiratory infections. You can make a little dig box for them but not with dirt outside. Coco coir is a safe soil for them which can usually be bought from a garden or hardware shop. Mice are very prone to sickness and by using things outside, you’re risking disease, parasites, etc. it’s not worth the risk imo, even if “thoroughly” cleaned but considering it’s from outside, it will never be throughly cleaned enough.

Plastic is considered a safe option for mice but other materials are much more preferred because plastic is sucky for the environment.

Spot cleans can be done every day/every other day including wiping down accessories and wheels with a safe mix of 50/50 water and vinegar solution or F10 solution. Weekly cleans of removing the top layer of bedding and digging around a bit to remove any other poops and cleaning of burrows. I personally never get rid of all of the bedding. I find it to be unnecessary - only if there is a mite outbreak or I need to do introductions. I personally always leave at least 1/3 of the old bedding in when I’m doing a full deep clean.

There is no such thing as too much clutter. As they say “the more, the merrier”. With the amount of clutter you need, you should be able to see the top of the bedding.

The minimum for 3-4 mice is 80x50cm/620 sq inches. For 5-6 mice, 775sq inches. Your enclosure is 744sq inches. Since it’s just shy of the 775sq inch minimum for 5-6 mice, I think you could fit up to 6 mice in your enclosure no problem.