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Small Rodents All Creatures Animal Hospital Volume 1, Issue 1 Newsletter Date Basic Care of Small Rodents HAMSTERS Hamsters (Mesocricetus aura- sters were first introduced to less common than the Syrian Inside this issue: tus) are short tailed rodents the United States in 1938. hamster. The smaller, dark with large cheek pouches. The Since their domestication, sev- brown Chinese hamster (dwarf Housing 2 Syrian hamster’s (golden ham- eral color and hair coat varie- hamster), the Armenian (grey) ster) wild habitat extends ties of the Syrian hamster have hamster, and the European Nutrition 2 through the Middle East and arisen through selective breed- hamster are more often used in Southeastern Europe. In 1930, ing. The three basic groups research and seldom kept as Handling 3 a litter of eight baby hamsters that now exist include the com- pets. Hamsters live 1.5-2.5 was taken to Israel and raised mon “golden” hamster, colored years. Hamsters have pig- Veterinary Care 3 as research animals. Virtually short-haired “fancy” hamster, mented, hairless glands over all domesticated hamsters sold and long-haired “teddy bear” the hips. These should not be Teeth and Tears 3 in the pet trade and research are hamster. On occasion, one mistaken for tumors. descendents of three of the may encounter other species of Breeding 4 survivors of that litter. Ham- hamsters, but these are much GERBILS The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones abdomen, and darker back coat. or fight, are easy to keep clean unguiculatus) is a small rodent Other color varieties that exist and care for, and are relatively native to the desert regions of include black, white, and cinna- easy to handle. Gerbils have the Mongolian and northeastern mon. Gerbils have a marking longest life expectancy of the China. Gerbils are burrowing, scent gland that appears as a tan smaller rodents. It is not usual for social animals which are active colored, hairless area in the mid- them to live 4-5 years. They are Special points of both during the day and night. dle of their abdomen. The gerbil more agile and require more exer- interest: Their burrows are composed of is a curious, friendly, and nearly cise than other small rodents. elaborate tunnels with multiple odorless rodent, which Hamsters should be housed entrances, nesting rooms, and make it a very popular pet. They separately food compartments. The native have adapted well to captivity and color variety is agouti, mixed tend to be relatively free of natu- Due to their short life ex- brown, with dark pigmented skin, rally occurring infectious dis- pectancy, all small rodents light brown to white chest and eases. These rodents rarely bite should be examined by a veterinarian 3-4 times yearly Seeds are inadequate diets RATS AND MICE Exercise is important for both physical and psycho- Rats, despite their nega- lowing of pet rat owners. in their genetic makeup. Pet rats logical well-being tive connotations, are in- Numerous strains of labo- live only 1.5-3 years. The mouse telligent, social pets. Pet ratory rats have been (Mus musculus) is not as popular Males and females should rats are domesticated ver- developed and each has as some of the other rodents. be separated to prevent mating sions of the Norway rat somewhat different dis- They are frequently raised as (Rattus norvegicus). ease susceptibility. The feeder animals for reptiles. They Originally domesticated pet rat is usually a mixture usually weigh about 30 grams. as a research animal, the of several types and may The life span for mice is about rat has a very loyal fol- have had other mutations 1.5-3 years. Page 2 Housing Rodents should be housed tion with respiratory and In general, mice, rats, and in plastic, metal, or glass liver disease. At least 1-2 gerbils can be housed with cages. Although wire bot- inches of bedding should be others of their species (with tomed cages are often used provided to allow for nor- the exceptions of adult in the mal burrowing behavior. males) with little aggression laboratory setting, these The litter should be changed as long as the individuals animals are much more on a regular basis. Depend- are introduced while young. comfortable with a solid ing on the size of the cage You will need to provide bottom lined with shavings and the number of animals multiple food and water or pelleted litter. Make sure within the cage, the litter sources if housing more that glass and plastic enclo- will require changing one to than one animal in an sures have adequate ventila- two times weekly. An ex- enclosure. Hamsters, on the tion. In addition, make sure ception to this cleaning other hand, will not tolerate that the enclosure is escape schedule is when newborn the presence of others. In general, mice, rats, proof. Bedding must be babies are present, then wait Female hamsters, in particu- clean, non-toxic, absorbent, until they are at least 2 lar, are very aggressive and and gerbils can be and relatively dust free. weeks old. will attack other hamsters housed with others of Shredded paper, recycled except for a short period newspaper products Exercise is important for every 4 days when they are their species, but (carefresh for example), both physical and psycho- in heat. Overcrowding hamsters will not pine shavings, and proc- logical well-being. There should be avoided in all tolerate the presence of essed corncob are are many types of exercise species. acceptable beddings. Cedar wheels, balls, and toys others. chips and chlorophyll available. Supervised activ- scented shavings should be ity outside the cage is en- avoided because of associa- couraged as well. Nutrition In the wild, these animals sume about 15 grams of insure that the water is ac- feed on leaves, seeds, roots, food per 100 grams of body cessible. fruits, and insects. Standard weight daily. Compara- Although only a small por- lab rodent pellets or blocks tively, an adult rat will con- tion of the water bottle is are available which meet the sume approximately 10 consumed, fresh clean water needs of these species very grams of food per 100 should be given daily. Mice effectively. Seed diets are grams of body weight. drink approximately 15 inadequate in many nutri- Hamsters eat approximately ml/100 grams of body ents and are extremely high 12 grams of food daily. weight daily. While rats in fat. These should be Gerbils eat approximately 5- drink 10 ml/100 grams of given in very small quanti- 8 grams of food daily. body weight daily. Gerbils ties. Other supplements to drinks approximately 4-10 the diet include sugarless Water is best provided in ml of water daily. Hamsters breakfast cereals, whole sipper tube bottles. These drink approximately 10 ml Seed diets are inadequate wheat breads, pasta, cheese, will remain cleaner and will of water per 100 grams of in many nutrients and are cooked lean meats, fresh not be dumped or filled with body weight. extremely high in fat fruits and vegetables; all fed litter as open dishes invaria- in moderation. On average, bly are. The nozzle should an adult mouse will con- be frequently checked to Page 3 Handling Pet rodents become tame into a can or cupped hands. easily scooped into the palm and seldom bite when prop- They then can be moved out of the hand or picked up by erly restrained and accus- of their territory to a neutral grasping the base of the tail. Be careful when tomed to handling. Be care- area. Some rats can be terri- approaching a nervous ful, however, when ap- torial of their cage, and Hamster’s handled fre- proaching a nervous or these should be coaxed out quently from a young age or frightened pet. frightened pet. Also, it is of their cage before being usually remain docile and Never pull the tip of the best not to disturb a sleeping handled. Also, rats do not seldom bite. When they are animal because most are respond well to scruffing by docile, they can be gently tail because the skin usually quite cranky when the nape of the neck. Mice picked up by cupping in one can easily be pulled off. awakened. For any rodent, can also be lifted be grasp- or both hands and held never pull on the tip of the ing the base of the tail. against one’s body. Other tail because the skin over Mice housed individually hamsters, however, may not the end of the tail can easily may be more aggressive and have received a lot of atten- be pulled off. If this hap- apprehensive than those tion and handling through- pens, seek veterinary care housed in groups. out their lives, and thus may immediately. be more apprehensive and The gerbil’s natural curios- aggressive. The use of a Most pet mice and rats en- ity and friendly disposition small towel or gloves can joy being handled when makes it fairly easy to han- assist the handler in captur- away from their cage. Rats dle. Most gerbils will ap- ing and restraining such a and mice can be easily proach a hand introduced pet. picked up by scooping them into their cage and can be Veterinary Care Early detection and treat- this trait leads to presen- Rapid diagnosis and ment of diseases is criti- tation late in the course of treatment is essential. cal. Small “prey” species the disease. A rodent that Because of the short life Don’t let the sun set on a sick rodent. try to hide any signs of looks sick is often very expectancy, small rodents illness or weakness as a sick.
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