Because of their small size, rodents are popular as pets. Amongst the most well known are hamsters, mice, gerbils, and rats, but degus and chinchillas are also gaining popularity in our homes. Each rodent is unique but there are general rules to follow when it comes to diet, husbandry and general care. This is the main focus of the information below. (Guinea pigs are also rodents, but they are not covered in the specific information below.)
Choosing a rodent: The choice of rodent should be based on his species' character type as well as the amount of room needed to house him. Rats, chinchillas (right) and degus are amongst the most affectionate and intelligent rodents but need the biggest cages. Chinchillas are rather delicate whereas rats are very adaptable. Hamsters are also quite cuddly but are a little less sociable than rats, degus and chinchillas. Hamsters, chinchillas and rats are nocturnal, which means they sleep during the day. Gerbils and mice (above) tend to be a little nervous although they can be tamed easily if they are handled gently and frequently from a very young age. If you're thinking of having more than one pet, keep in mind that hamsters are territorial and will fight with one another. Gerbils are social animals and can be kept together but a female that has been living alone for some time will attack any newcomer. As for mice, it's the males that are the most likely to start a fight! Chinchillas, rats and degus are social animals and live well in groups. With all rodents, if you plan to have more than one, expect lots of babies if you've got both sexes living together! It is possible to have rodents spayed or neutered by a specialised vet, but it's even easier to keep the males and females separate!
Diet: The best diet for your rodent is a pelleted food specifically made for his species. Seed mixes are not recommended because most rodents will only eat those seeds in the mix that he favours. Veggies should be offered in small quantities and must be introduced gradually into the diet. A small piece of fruit can also be given daily to rodents with the exception of degus who cannot digest sugar. As with most animals, a sudden change in diet can cause digestive upsets in rodents. In addition, chinchillas are extremely sensitive to any changes, especially dietary ones. Any introduction of a new food should be done with extreme caution and under the supervision of a vet. Never give table food to your chinchilla. Rats on the other hand, are among the most tolerant rodents and can eat most foods without danger. Having said this, all foods high in sugar, salt or fat should be avoided. Like rabbits and guinea pigs, many rodents benefit from a good quality Timothy hay in their diet or environment. It must be fresh, dry and preferably first cut (more green than yellow). If your rodent does not like Timothy hay, oat hay is a good alternative. Alfalfa hay can be given as a last resort but be aware that it has a high calcium content, which can cause crystals in the urine of some rodents.
Environment: Rodents are active and agile creatures. It is important to offer them an environment in which they can climb, play and do lots of exercise. The cage should have several floors to allow climbing and jumping from one platform to another. The size of the cage varies from one species to another. As a general guide, the smaller species need a cage with the minimum dimensions of 40cm x 30cm x 40cm high. Rats and degus need cages measuring a minimum of 70cm x 40cm x 80cm high and chinchillas will do well in a cage measuring 75cm x 60cm x 1 metre high. There are cage calculators on the web, as pictured below, to help you determine the size of cage per number of rodents. The cage should be made mostly of metal bars with a hard plastic bottom so that it is easy to clean and allows air to circulate. Even though the cage will be your rodent's main home, it is important that he has some freedom whenever you are able to supervise him.
Other essential elements for your rodent's living quarters are lots of safe toys, a hiding place and a cozy place to sleep. You can also give him a litter box appropriate to his size. Chinchillas and rats can be taught to use a litter box fairly easily. NEVER USE WOOD CHIPS AS LITTER OR BEDDING because these can cause liver disease and are associated with respiratory and eye infections in small animals. Instead, use newspaper, shredded paper, paper based cat litter (Yesterday's News) or Carefresh Pet Bedding. Place a old towel or a hammock in the cage to provide a comfy place to nap and nest in. Chinchillas and degus also need a sand bath, at least 5 times a week for chinchillas and 2 to 3 times a week for degus. The sand used is a special type specifically made for this purpose and is available in most pet stores. Last but not least, place your rodent's cage in a dry, cool, and sociable part of the house.
Medical problems: All species of rodents can be prone to misalligned teeth. The misallignment results in overgrown teeth, which cut into the cheeks or tongue, causing ulcers and infections in the mouth as well as hypersalivation and loss of appetite. There is no cure for the this problem but symptoms can be avoided by having the teeth trimmed regularly by a specialised vet. Rodents are also subject to gastro-intestinal upsets, which can be caused by hairballs, rapid changes in the diet or by the disruption of the animal's natural intestinal flora. With rodents, a gastro-intestinal problem is regarded as an emergency because it can cause death in a short period of time. If your pet has a loss of appetite, abnormal stools, becomes lethargic or has a sudden weight loss, contact your vet immediately. Gerbils will often have mild epileptic seizures that do not require any medical treatment. Aging female rats are prone to developing mammary gland tumors. As for degus, they are prone to diabetes.
Lifespan per species:
Hamster 2 - 4 years
Mice 2 - 3 years
Rat 2 - 3 years
Gerbil 3 - 5 years
Degu 10 - 15 years
Chinchilla 9 - 17 years
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