The Dutch rat is one of the friendliest rodents and has been kept since the 16th century! These cute animals need a good living environment and a loving family to stay happy. Here are some tips for setting up the coop, feeding it well, and entertaining and acting when something goes wrong.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Right Home Environment
Step 1. Buy the right cage
Provide at least 0.9 sq m of space for two guinea pigs. This space prevents conflicts between male rats, fights among all Dutch rats, and reduces the risk of stomach swelling, obesity, and gas buildup because the rats have sufficient space to exercise.
- Test several cages and find one that's easy to clean. Can your hand get into the cage easily? Can you clean it with a brush?
- Make sure the cage is light enough to keep the guinea pig happy. The cage should also have a dark corner, or small house, so the pet can hide or sleep when he doesn't want to interact with the outside world. There should be one place for each mouse.
- Place the cage in a room with a stable temperature. Dutch rats can not stand high temperatures, suddenly decreased, or increased.
- Line the cage with materials you can buy from pet supply stores. Change it regularly so that guinea pigs don't have to live in a place full of feces.
Step 2. Apply an absorbent layer on the floor of the cage
Dry pine sawdust, paper, or fleece are good examples. Change this coating regularly to prevent odors or ammonia build-up.
- Line the bottom of the cage with newspaper or animal repellent to make it more absorbent.
- Do not use a coating of corncobs, straw, or spruce sawdust/chips.
Step 3. Install the food container and water dispenser
You can buy them both online and from pet supply stores. Look for something sturdy and make sure it's big enough for you to feed the number of animals you have. Place it in an easily accessible place.
- Dutch rats need 2 ceramic bowls for their vegetables and food pellets separately.
- As another option, you can put a bowl of water container. However, the bottom layer of the dutch rat cage will probably get into this container. Bottled water is a cleaner option.
- Dutch rats may appear to drink less often, and this is normal because these animals also absorb water from vegetables.
Step 4. Give it something to chew on
Dutch rats must maintain their teeth. So, provide food or wooden blocks that are safe for him to chew.
Do not use toys made of materials other than fruit tree wood or specialty foods from pet stores. Other wood can be toxic and harmful to guinea pigs
Step 5. Add some toys
Dutch rats are playful animals and welcome intellectual stimulation. You can find ready-made toys, such as balls or tunnels, at most pet supply stores. You can also make it yourself. Here are some ideas:
- Try putting fruits and vegetables on a string and hanging them in a cage.
- Make a small cardboard house as a place for mice to play.
- Create a path filled with obstacles from various objects. Just make sure the rats don't eat it.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for Dutch Rats
Step 1. Provide a balanced diet
The basis of your rat's diet should be grass hay. This straw is a good source of fiber and keeps the rat's teeth in good condition. Make sure the guinea pig is provided with a continuous supply of grass hay and other food.
- The food for guinea pigs sold in pet stores is highly controversial. Avoid foods that contain a lot of calcium, which can cause urinary tract infections. Also avoid the muesli.
- There are several types of grass hay. You can find them at a pet store or farm. Keep this hay away from the bottom of the cage. Do not let your animals eat and poop in the same place.
- Fresh green vegetables (preferably organic) and thoroughly washed – use a commercial vegetable wash or a water and vinegar mixture and rinse afterward – are a great treat for guinea pigs. Some examples include lettuce with green leaves, escaroles, red lettuce, silantro, and curly andwig. You can also give some strawberries and apple slices, but don't overdo it. Dutch rats are prone to obesity!
- Look for foods that have added vitamin C, because Dutch rats can't make it on their own. Rats also need vitamin A in large quantities. You can find it in carrots.
- Change the water every day to avoid bacterial infection.
- Avoid potatoes, rubarbs, tomato leaves, and flowers. All of these things are toxic to guinea pigs.
Step 2. Introduce a new friend
The Dutch rat is a very social animal and likes company. Add new mice of the same sex or have been spayed. Dutch rats do like to socialize, but that doesn't mean they never fight.
Introduce the new guinea pig gradually. If your old rat and new rat are fighting, separate them with a wire divider so they can see and smell each other, but prevent fighting
Step 3. Don't let the female rat get pregnant
Pregnancy, especially the birth process, weighed heavily on her. One in five females bred will die from complications during pregnancy or birth, or toxaemia thereafter.
If you want to have baby guinea pigs, make sure you consult a veterinarian. You should have room for these babies and enough money for their future food
Step 4. Play regularly with your pet
Dutch rats love to be active and will welcome a fun play session. Getting him running is also good to keep him fit and intellectually stimulated. There are a few things you should pay attention to:
- If you take him for a walk in the garden, make sure he can't escape. Also make sure there are no predators like cats.
- Let the guinea pig eat some vegetables outside. Vegetables are very good for him, but limit his consumption. Weeds may trigger diarrhea.
- Make sure the outdoor temperature is right, around 15-21°C.
- Don't forget to wash your hands after playing to avoid bacterial contamination.
Part 3 of 3: Taking Care of Her Health
Step 1. Find a vet
Don't wait for problems to occur before taking your guinea pig to a doctor. These little animals need regular checkups so you can detect any health problems.
- Most veterinarians will take good care of pets, but few specialize in guinea pigs. Look it up on the internet or in the phone book.
- Bring your guinea pig for inspection at least twice a day.
- Your vet may suggest spaying male rats on their first visit. You may have to spend a little money, but this way, the rat will be calmer and happier in a closed environment.
- The vet will also check for external as well as internal parasites, such as worms.
Step 2. Check for injuries constantly
Older dutch rats sometimes have sores on their feet. If this happens, visit a veterinary surgeon and purchase a softer mat or stretch a soft cloth over the bottom of the cage. Keep an eye on your mouse's actions. If something seems off, don't wait and take action right away. Minor infections can even endanger his life.
- Don't forget to trim the rat's nails, as they can cause injury. Do it carefully.
- Do not give medication unless prescribed by a veterinarian. You might kill the rat by accident.
Step 3. Look for any alarming symptoms
If you notice your rat's eyes are swollen or hardened, it's dandruff, its ears/nose are irritated or it's breathing unusually, call your vet right away. You should also check on him if he's acting unusual.
- Check his front teeth. Only a veterinarian can treat an overgrown tooth.
- The life expectancy of mice can vary widely. Dutch rats usually live for four to eight years.
- If you notice anything out of the ordinary, quarantine your rat immediately. Don't let the disease spread.
- Weigh the mice regularly to monitor their health. This way, you'll know if he's fit and whether you're feeding him too much or too much. Adult Dutch rats should weigh 700 to 1,200 grams.
- If your rat stinks, visit the vet. Dutch rats are clean animals and do not need to be bathed, unless they are very dirty.
