Caring For Your Rats
Cages & Enclosures
Midwest Critter Nation(s)
Midwest Critter Nation (one level) and the Midwest Critter Nation Double Unit (two levels) are some of the top of the line cages for rodents. With their half inch bar spacing even the smallest of rats can be housed in them with no problem. On casters and easy to clean; they are just great! Search for the best price online. This is what our rats all live in, with a plethora of toys, hideaways and hammocks that are ever-changing to stimulate their minds and bodies. Should you have need, you can even purchase an add-on unit to make your Midwest Critter Nation Double into a Triple! This is the cage we use exclusively for our resident rats. We use Breeder Bins (that we made custom ourselves) for Maternity Wards, but do not recommend bin cages for long-term housing. The only downside of the Critter Nation are the shallow pans that come standard with it. You can purchase replacement pans here at Bass Equipment. The Ferret Nation pans are an exact match for the Critter Nation, but *make sure* to purchase the (pricier) stainless steel (vs galvanized) unless you intend to seal it yourself. It is worth the investment! I use the 3" deep pans, myself.
You can find a great article, here, on rat caging requirements. We are featured in this article!
Diet
Lab Blocks |
Grains Mix w/Dried Fruit/Herbs |
HERO Rat Grains Mix |
Lab Blocks & More
Our rat's base diet consists of a grain mix we make ourselves + fresh fruits/veggies 2-3 times per week. A rats ideal protein intake is around 14%-16% - and Mazuri recently upped their protein level to 23%... this is pretty high. Because increased protein is directly linked to Protein Itch in rats (especially males), we have made the decision to change over entirely. At this time, we are recommending Oxbow Lab Blocks, which come in at 16% protein. These lab blocks are a completely balanced diet and should be the primary food source, unless you are willing to put in the effort to assemble a complete grain diet. You can find a complete list of dietary supplements here on the AFRMA page. A diet that is both well-balanced and low in excessive fats and protein is very important.
The food mix that our rats live on consists of a grain mix that we create here based on the recipe kindly provided by Camarattery (a reputable breeder in Colorado), the nutritional notions examined and explained by Isamu Rats (a reputable breeder in the UK), and some of our own research from The Scuttling Gourmet, a complete rat nutrition book (though our mix is not based on the Shunamite diet). Our mixture has been sent for independent analysis and has come in with the following guaranteed analysis:
Protein (crude): 16.1%
Fat (acid hydrolysis): 8.86%
Fiber (crude): 6.46%
We also sell this mixture ourselves for local pickup, or shipped via our affiliate Etsy shoppe, here. Please note that when purchasing in-person, there is a 30% discount from the prices you see on Etsy (which cover shipping costs). In-person, our HERO Rat Grains mix is $6.76 per pound, or $5.40 per pound if purchasing 20+ pounds at one time).
If feeding this mix, fruits/veggies are *necessary* for rats to get the correct vitamins/minerals. If you do not intend to feed these items on a regular basis (2-3 times per week), we encourage you to supplement 50% lab blocks and 50% of the above mix.
The food mix that our rats live on consists of a grain mix that we create here based on the recipe kindly provided by Camarattery (a reputable breeder in Colorado), the nutritional notions examined and explained by Isamu Rats (a reputable breeder in the UK), and some of our own research from The Scuttling Gourmet, a complete rat nutrition book (though our mix is not based on the Shunamite diet). Our mixture has been sent for independent analysis and has come in with the following guaranteed analysis:
Protein (crude): 16.1%
Fat (acid hydrolysis): 8.86%
Fiber (crude): 6.46%
We also sell this mixture ourselves for local pickup, or shipped via our affiliate Etsy shoppe, here. Please note that when purchasing in-person, there is a 30% discount from the prices you see on Etsy (which cover shipping costs). In-person, our HERO Rat Grains mix is $6.76 per pound, or $5.40 per pound if purchasing 20+ pounds at one time).
If feeding this mix, fruits/veggies are *necessary* for rats to get the correct vitamins/minerals. If you do not intend to feed these items on a regular basis (2-3 times per week), we encourage you to supplement 50% lab blocks and 50% of the above mix.
Please Note: A minimum of two (2) water bottles or sources of water should be available in your cage at all times. Should one bottle become jammed, there will be a back up. Rats also love the opportunity to wash their little faces; so I like to keep a bowl of water in their enclosures as well.
I recommend the Choco Nose Bottle, which you can find on Amazon, here.
Make sure you get the one for rats and NOT rabbits (the nip is too large). These bottles are amazing, because not only can you unscrew the nipple and disassemble it entirely for a thorough cleansing - but you the bottle itself can be replaced! It is compatible with 16oz soda bottles - and from what I've heard, it can also fit a Trader Joes wine bottle (so long as you use a bungee cord to help support the weight of it).
Treats/Dietary Supplements
Dried Fruit
Look online for "forbidden fruits" prior to shopping to make sure you do not buy anything toxic to our little friends. Rats adore these dried fruit snacks. We like to mix a small amount of these into their dry food mixture. Trader Joes has a great variety of non-sweetened dried fruits.
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Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
We feed fresh fruits and veggies daily to supplement our rats standard diet. For ease in bulk feeding, we like to mix up a HUGE supply at one time and freeze them in to portions that work for our home. They love it and it keeps them in good health long into old age. You can find a complete list of safe fresh vegetation alongside their health benefits here on the Isamu Rats page.
Seeds & Nuts, etc
Organic oat cereal, uncooked unsweetened Oatmeal, shredded wheat cereal (with NO frosting), Old Mother Hubbard Just Veggin' dog biscuits, pumpkin seeds (raw, unsalted) and sunflower seeds (raw, unsalted) are all great treats. Sunflower seeds are an especially coveted treat (but give sparingly as they are quite high in fat). These treats can be an excellent tool for utilizing as a reward during training for specific behaviors.
Organic oat cereal, uncooked unsweetened Oatmeal, shredded wheat cereal (with NO frosting), Old Mother Hubbard Just Veggin' dog biscuits, pumpkin seeds (raw, unsalted) and sunflower seeds (raw, unsalted) are all great treats. Sunflower seeds are an especially coveted treat (but give sparingly as they are quite high in fat). These treats can be an excellent tool for utilizing as a reward during training for specific behaviors.
Herbs
Most animals (people included - though this is most commonly noticed in pregnant humans) tend to know, instinctually, what their bodies need. Rats are no different - and will seek out what they need in the wild. Medicinal plants have been used for centuries by humans and animals alike! We here at HERO offer a special bowl with Herbs for Self Medicating in our rats' enclosures for them to graze on as they desire and need. We also sell this herbal mixture ourselves for local pickup. All of the ingredients in our Herbal Mix are human/food grade and mostly organic.
Most animals (people included - though this is most commonly noticed in pregnant humans) tend to know, instinctually, what their bodies need. Rats are no different - and will seek out what they need in the wild. Medicinal plants have been used for centuries by humans and animals alike! We here at HERO offer a special bowl with Herbs for Self Medicating in our rats' enclosures for them to graze on as they desire and need. We also sell this herbal mixture ourselves for local pickup. All of the ingredients in our Herbal Mix are human/food grade and mostly organic.
Bedding
We use kiln dried Pine Pellets or Exquisicat paper pellets for all of our rats. For nursing mothers and pups, we like to use a paper bedding (typically white in color; this way we can easily monitor their health during and immediately after birth). We only recommend using unscented materials for their homes. Other acceptable beddings include Yesterday's News, CareFresh, or Aspen wood shavings. You can find kiln-dried pine pellets, here. If you choose to use fleece liners, make sure you are changing then out (minimally) every 2-3 days.
We use kiln dried Pine Pellets or Exquisicat paper pellets for all of our rats. For nursing mothers and pups, we like to use a paper bedding (typically white in color; this way we can easily monitor their health during and immediately after birth). We only recommend using unscented materials for their homes. Other acceptable beddings include Yesterday's News, CareFresh, or Aspen wood shavings. You can find kiln-dried pine pellets, here. If you choose to use fleece liners, make sure you are changing then out (minimally) every 2-3 days.
Enrichment/Entertainment
Blue & Roux relaxing in a corner hut
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Hammocks, Houses & more!
Little Heroes Rattery is affiliated with White Whale Apothecary (on Etsy, est. May 2016). We make our own line of luxury rat hammocks, houses, tunnels and more! Families who adopt from us are given a coupon code at the time of adoption which is good for 10% off of our rat-related products. Each family is also given a care package that includes one basic hammock!
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Foraging and Chew Things
Foraging toys (typically marketed for birds) are great. I found the above on on Etsy, here. This is always a hit! I also like to keep 1-2 pig femur bones in each enclosure, so they always have variety for chewing options. You can find those, here. As a side note; I also like keeping a water bowl in each of my cages - I have found that the rats enjoy washing their hands and faces almost as much as I do! I found adorable macrame toilet paper roll holders, designed specifically for rats, by the wonderful OhTheMischief. You can find lots of fun rat toys on their website, here. I also like putting grapevine branches in (ziptied to the side of the cage) to offer a more fun and enriching climbing experience. You can find them, here.
Foraging toys (typically marketed for birds) are great. I found the above on on Etsy, here. This is always a hit! I also like to keep 1-2 pig femur bones in each enclosure, so they always have variety for chewing options. You can find those, here. As a side note; I also like keeping a water bowl in each of my cages - I have found that the rats enjoy washing their hands and faces almost as much as I do! I found adorable macrame toilet paper roll holders, designed specifically for rats, by the wonderful OhTheMischief. You can find lots of fun rat toys on their website, here. I also like putting grapevine branches in (ziptied to the side of the cage) to offer a more fun and enriching climbing experience. You can find them, here.
Veterinary Care
Local Recommendations
I will update this to include as many local veterinary resources as I find for the general Central Florida area, who have exhibited knowledge and skill in the care of rats. Not every exotics vet has the experience needed to properly advise on the care of your pet. This list will be updated ongoing:
First Coast No More Homeless Pets
6817 Norwood Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32208
(904) 425-0005
https://www.fcnmhp.org/
When calling to schedule your appointment, make sure you are requesting the appointment with the Norwood branch (as the Cassatt branch DOES NOT offer this service for rats). If you need to drop a name, tell them that Katrina (CSR Lead) can verify that rats are eligible for spay/neuter at that location.
The veterinarian who does rat spay/neuters is able to offer affordable spay/neuter for rats as well as general care! I haven't seen a better price anywhere. The doctor is very knowledgeable; and is a rat owner herself!
FloridaWild Veterinary Hospital
115 E. Euclid Ave.
Deland, FL 32724
(386) 734-9899
This veterinarian was suggest as a addition by an adopter who works there! The veterinarian is said to be very rat savvy.
Safe Travel
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Rat Safe Carriers
Here at HERO, we make our own Rat Carriers for short trips (such as to the veterinarian, to a rat show or out to meet adoptive families).
If adopting rats from us, you are expected to bring your own carrier unless you let us know ahead of time. If planned, we do offer our carriers for sale to adoptive families (we charge $25 for each bin - which have been outfitted with 3/4" or 1/2" hardware cloth). Our bins *do not* come with a water bottle. Alternately, you can use a small animal cage with a minimum of 1/2" bar spacing and a water bottle attached to the side. Please email us to purchase our bins (which sometimes come with safe-painted metal front and side panels as pictured above left. You do not need to adopt from us to purchase our Travel Totes. Our email is: littleheroesrattery@gmail.com
If adopting rats from us, you are expected to bring your own carrier unless you let us know ahead of time. If planned, we do offer our carriers for sale to adoptive families (we charge $25 for each bin - which have been outfitted with 3/4" or 1/2" hardware cloth). Our bins *do not* come with a water bottle. Alternately, you can use a small animal cage with a minimum of 1/2" bar spacing and a water bottle attached to the side. Please email us to purchase our bins (which sometimes come with safe-painted metal front and side panels as pictured above left. You do not need to adopt from us to purchase our Travel Totes. Our email is: littleheroesrattery@gmail.com
Bioactive and Naturalistic Rat Cages
There is an ever-increasing interest in going bioactive in the rat community as a whole. While we do not have personal experience in this (yet), we did want to offer you some resources on your journey! Here are a collection of links we have found helpful:
Animallama's website has some great info, that you can check out here on Bioactive setups.
They also have a page dedicated to Safe Woods (which is useful for ANY rat owner - bioactive or not). You can see that page here.
The Spruce Pets website also has a page dedicated solely to safe woods for rats, here.
Animallama's website has some great info, that you can check out here on Bioactive setups.
They also have a page dedicated to Safe Woods (which is useful for ANY rat owner - bioactive or not). You can see that page here.
The Spruce Pets website also has a page dedicated solely to safe woods for rats, here.
Introducing New Rats
Introductions can be fast and simple - or lengthy and gritty. Many factors contribute to this, but it is stressful nonetheless. Although I could type out each of the (many) methods for you to try, I am going to instead link you to a website where they have already done this beautifully. Isamu Rats is a safe and knowledgeable resource for many things 'rat', and they really take the cake with this comprehensive list! You can find their informational page about this here.
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