My rats live in a double bedroom dedicated to them. The main groups live in Explorer cages with one group in each section, with between 4 and 6 rats in each group. Each cage is given a thorough clean out weekly and spot wipes regularly especially the shelves where they have a tendancy to pee. Most of my rats will use the litter tray, but there is always the odd one that won't.

I prefer to use a combination of auboise and cardboard bedding (obtained from Botley Mills), as I find this keeps the smell down better than cardboard alone. I use megazorb in the litter trays.

Each cage is supplied with igloos / houses, hammocks, tunnels, ropes, baskets, cardboard boxes and other toys. I tend to change the layout of the cage every few weeks.

Nursing mothers and kittens are housed in suitable cages such as Zoozone tanks, Mary and Rene82 cages.

All the rats are checked and cuddled daily to ensure that they are well handled and in good health. Each group of rats is given atleast 30 minutes of free range time on a daily basis with access to other toys.

 

My rats are fed a home made mix, this is currently based on

• 90% by volume rabbit food (combination of Burgess Supa Natural and Mr Johnsons Supreme with fruit / Mr Johnsons Supreme / Mr Johnsons Tropical)
• 10% by volumne James Wellbeloved Senior Fish & Rice Kibble
• For each 15kg sack of rabbit food, I also add 200g bag Omega Seed Mix and 1 packet of Unsalted Rice Cakes.

The rats are given Dr Squiggles Daily Essentials once a week.

My rats have a tendancy to put on weight every easily, especially does after they have had a litter, which is why I do not add cereal or pasta to my mix.

They are also given fresh foods and vegetables. I do not tend to give my rats yoggies or other rat treats, they would much rather have something like curly kale or a hard boiled egg than chocolate drops.

More information on rat nutrition can be found in The Scuttling Gourmet.