Rodent - Hamsters, Gerbils, Rats & Mice - Housing

What type of cage does my pet rodent require?

It is most convenient to house pet rodents in a glass aquarium, although cages are available specifically for these pets. Wooden cages are not suitable as rodents love to chew and can really destroy their homes. The base should be solid, not wire, to avoid foot problems. It should be covered in a thick layer of paper. ALL PET RODENTS ARE MASTERS OF ESCAPE. The cages must be escape-proof. Letting a pet rodent have free run of the house is DISCOURAGED, due to the potential for injury and death to the pet, as well as to destruction of furniture, electricals, etc. by the pet. They can be handled outside of the cage if care is used (supervise young children). The environmental temperature should be kept between 18-29°C; (65-85°F) warmer temperatures predispose pet rodents, to heat stroke.

My pet seems lonely. Can I house more than one rodent in each cage?

While it is most common to have a single or occasionally a pair of animals, several generalities can be made regarding group housing:

1. If a male and female are housed together mating will occur.
2. Never house opposite species in the same cage (i.e. a rat and a mouse).
3. If a pet rodent has been housed alone, it is best not to introduce a new friend to it as fighting is likely to occur. Some species, such as Syrian hamsters, should always be kept singly.

Hamsters

Hamsters are best housed individually. Sexually mature females are aggressive to other females and to males. The exception is with littermates which have been housed together from an early age - even then problems may occur. Housing litter mates together can of course result in unintentional incest!

Mice

Male mice are usually housed alone but can be kept together if female mice are not within smell. Female mice rarely fight and are often housed together. Newly assembled male groups, new males entering established territories, and mice previously housed alone are more likely to fight.

Rats

Unlike mice, rats rarely fight and can be housed in groups. Occasionally, females that have just given birth may fight with other females.

Gerbils

A monogamous pair can be formed if the male and female are bonded before 8 weeks of age. The pair should not, as a rule, be separated. Groups may be kept in large specially-built vivaria giving ample scope to tunnel and establish separate territories within the set-up.

Does my pet rodent need bedding in his cage?

Shredded paper or towels are fine. Avoid shavings, sawdust, sand, or dirt. The cage should be cleaned and the bedding changed at least weekly. A major cause of respiratory (breathing) disease in a pet rodent is poor environmental ventilation, which allows ammonia from the urine to build up and irritate the pet's airways. A frequently cleaned, well-ventilated environment is important in controlling respiratory infections. Any toys should be cleaned weekly as well.

Can I give our pet any toys?

Regarding cage toys, these can provide psychological stimulation as well as exercise for the pet rodents. Tubes and mazes are popular, as are exercise wheels. 'Open track' (wire) exercise wheels, can be dangerous. Pet rodents, especially hamsters, can easily become injured by getting a foot trapped in the wheel. Most of the hamsters have severe injuries; leg amputation is required to treat the problem (humane euthanasia is also an option). While not every animal with an exercise wheel will be injured, it is a risk best avoided. The safest wheel is composed of plastic and has no openings in the track (solid track) where a foot can get caught.

What else do I need in the cage?

Since rodents like to burrow, it is recommended to provide some type of hiding place for them in the cage. Round, hollow objects can be purchased at the pet stores, or use toilet/kitchen roll inner tubes. Small cardboard boxes (especially shoe boxes) and 'Pringles' crisps tubes are excellent..

Anything else I need to know?

Pet rodents are very sensitive to heat stroke. It is critical to keep their environmental temperature at or below 85°F (29°C), and make sure their 'house' is well ventilated