Wednesday, January 14, 2009

BEDDING

Rats are evolved to tolerate any environment, hence the choice of bedding for rats is wider and more economy compared to other small pets. There used to be a couple of wild rats living in my backyards years ago and when I found their nest I was shocked. It was made out of newspapers, wires, dry hay and flowers, my dad's old shoe, my little sister's soft toy, my old stoking and etc.. Basically, rats can live with any bedding (except those that contain chemicals that would harm their health). In fact, bedding is not essential for rats unless they are living under cold temperature condition (less than 13 degree Celsius). However, many rats enjoy nest building and providing nesting materials can add to the enrichment of their cage environment. Cage building can be simulating for your rats, keeping them physically and mentally active. (fancy rat team)

The American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association (AFRMA) announced that both cedar and pine beddings are not acceptable for all small animals, simply because both contain phenols which are caustic, poisonous and acidic compounds. These compounds cause constant irritation to the nasal passages, throat, and lungs of small animals giving bacteria an easy opening, thus commonly causing pneumonia. Phenols also affect organs such as the liver and kidneys, because these organs are responsible for filtering toxins out of the body. When presented with a large amount of toxins over time, they are unable to filter it all out and begin to fail. An animal with a damaged liver will have a depressed immune system, which can lead to other medical conditions. I've personally witness a hamster got blind because of using pine bedding for less than a month. Corn cob and clay cat litter are also not suitable for rats as they are not made for housing small animals. Please remember not to use wood shavings that are not properly process and vacuumed packed. Most of the time, these shavings gives complication such as parasite (mite, lice, flea, tick) and respiratory problems to rats. 

There are a range of suitable material for bedding that you can use for the rats' bedding, but there are only a few available in the Malaysian pet market (with affordable price of course). Shredded paper can be used for your rats bedding. Bear in mind that if you are to use newspaper, the ink must be non-toxic soy or vegetable ink. You can also use 100% paper based cat litter such as Breeder Celect which is harmless to your rats. Another alternative of using paper based bedding is by using cloth as your rats bedding. This is the cheapest yet environmental friendly type of bedding for your rats. Aspen bedding is also a very good choice for bedding. Unlike cedar and pine, aspen does not contain toxic phenol, but unfortunately aspen bedding is not readily available in Malaysia. A popular choice of bedding for most Malaysian small animals' owner is Chipsi bedding, the most affordable type of bedding after pine and cedar but it is safe for your rats. If you are keeping any kittens (baby rats), try to avoid using wood based bedding as the dust will cause certain irritation to the kittens' noses. It is best if mix bedding is given to your rats as that is the closest bedding to their natural habitat.  

Photo courtesy of Adriane

The maintenance of their bedding is also very important. Make sure the bedding is being changed regularly. The bedding is to be changed when the colour and smell of the bedding turns unpleasant. You must check the bedding from time to time and make sure the bedding is free from any infestation. The bedding must also be changed when you rats 'store' too much food under it. It's best to change the bedding once a week to keep your rat clean and happy. Just throw some fresh bedding into their cage and they will be happy to arrange and decorate their home themselves. 

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

GETTING STARTED

There are a few things before getting yourself a pet rat. The first and most important is to pledge to yourself that you will do your very best in providing a good life for your pet. You must promise to your pet yourself that no matter in what condition, you will try your very best to protect them, keep them happy and will not abandon them. If you are ready to face all the challenges ahead with your pet, then you are ready. 

Monday, January 12, 2009

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT


There will be a gathering on this date. All rats lovers and those who wish to learn more about rats are invited to join this first gathering on World Rat Day.  

Venue: FLUFF Pet Store, NZX
Address: H-1-3, Jalan PJU 1A/41B, Pusat Dagangan NZX, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Time: 7.00 p.m.
Map:

For more information about the event and direction to the venue, call 012-9252886. 

Sunday, January 11, 2009

BE A WISE AND RESPONSIBLE KEEPER

Just like keeping any other pets, rats need lots of care and love by their owner. Although some might argue that rats require less attention from their owners compared to dogs and cats, fact is, they are social animals that naturally live in large colonies. Just like us, rats need friends and companionship. No rats should be kept isolated from its own kind or its keeper for too long. There are records of rats that suffered from mental disorder due to loneliness. Certain amount of socialising is necessary so that a bond of trust can be formed between the owner and the rat. 

To be a responsible keeper, one must first ensure the well-being of his/her pet. Precaution must be taken by separating rats of different gender to prevent unplanned pregnancy. Rats breed very fast and most of the time, it cannot be controlled. Abandon rat cases happen almost every time due to accidental litters. Therefore, control measurements should be taken before hand. You don't want to see the children of your pet rat end up in the dumpsite or in the belly of a predator. 



You as a keeper should understand that rats need to live in a proper environment. It is your responsibility to provide them a home that can provide them comfort and safety. A cage with adequate space, ventilation, temperature control is compulsory. Keepers should also be  responsible in supplying clean and safe bedding, fresh food and water for their rats. They should be protected not only from natural predators, but also from diseases, pain and suffering. 

One should know to keep a pet, be it a cat or a rat, their lives are in your hand. You should give them the best you can. They can sense, feel and love like everyone of us can. To you, a rat may be just a rat, but to your rats, you most probably mean the world to them. So start and be a wise and responsible keeper today. 

WELCOME TO SCHOOL OF RATS

School of rats is the first ever assembly ground for rats and their keepers in Malaysia. Rats are extremely intelligent creatures. There are even experiments that show how rats have the potential to be even more smarter than dogs. An experiment done by Anthony Dickinson, an experimental psychologist at the University of Cambridge, U.K. shows that rats have metacognition (the ability to think about their own thinking/ a higher level thinking ability). Unfortunately here in Malaysia, rats of all lineage be it pet rats, feeder rats, or wild feral rats cannot obtain the fair amount of respect and love due to the misunderstood reputation of wild feral rats. Hence, rats are often mistreated. And due to the lack of proper knowledge in keeping rats, it is common to see rats living unhealthily under the improper care of their keepers, breeders and sellers. 

The School of Rats is formed to promote better lives for all rats. We aim to educate people about rats and how can they provide the best care to their pet rats. 


Fascinated by rats' intelligence? 
Read more on: