How long do dumbo rats live, and how to extend this life?

Dumbo rats appeared only 30 years ago - they are smart animals with an easy-going character. Unfortunately, they do not live long, but owners can add a couple of years to their pet with proper care. Let's find out how long Dumbo rats live, how you can increase the lifespan of a Dumbo rat, and what rules for keeping a rodent you must follow.

Keeping a dumbo rat

Active and nimble pets have won the hearts of many animal lovers.
Rats are much superior in mental abilities to hamsters or guinea pigs, and they do not require special care. Decorative rats tend to mark their territory: however, the owner does not smell the smell, since they secrete little liquid. And these pets love to gnaw everything that comes their way, so you need to be careful when letting your pet roam around the apartment

A cage with rats cannot be placed in the sun or a draft, but they do not require special climatic conditions; rats feel great in rooms with a temperature of 18-21 degrees. It is advisable that the cage for rats be spacious, metal, and not wooden or plastic; after all, this is a group of rodents for which wood is not an obstacle. It is advisable to equip the animal with a shelter for rest and sleep - this can be a house bought in a store or made with your own hands. It is also worth placing ladders, toys, ropes, driftwood, and a wheel in the cage so that the pet does not get bored. If you wish, you can have several animals of the same sex at once, then they will have fun. Territoriality is alien to them, and in the event of a quarrel, they will be able to scatter to different houses.

When choosing bedding, pay attention to shavings or thick paper. It is advisable to avoid small sawdust, as they can accidentally enter the rodent’s respiratory tract or eyes or become a source of allergies.

It is necessary to clean the rats' home as it becomes dirty and a characteristic odor appears - approximately once every 6-8 days, once a month it is advisable to treat the cage and all objects with disinfectants.

Make sure your rats always have clean water - purchase a special drinking bowl and change the water daily. The diet of rodents should be complete and varied: you can give dam rats oats, barley, wheat, and millet. Also add boiled kidneys, heart, and liver to your food. Give pine and hazelnuts, which your pets will chew and wear down their teeth.

If you want to reward your pet, offer your rat a piece of apple, banana, pear, plum, peach, grape or cherry. Occasionally you can give dried fruits, dates, raisins. Adults are fed 1-2 times a day, and babies 3-4 times. Rodents should not be offered fatty or fried foods, raw potatoes, legumes, artichokes, chocolate, or cabbage.

The price of Dumbo can be found on the notice board.

How to determine gender

The sex of adults can be determined quite easily. To do this, you just need to carefully study the structure of their genitals.

Things are more complicated with baby rats. Their gender can be determined with certainty only a few days after birth.

To determine the gender of a small rodent, you need to pay attention to its tummy, which is still completely devoid of fur. If we can see two rows of nipples, which during this period resemble small pimples, we have a girl; if not, we have a boy.

If you want to keep several rats, but are not going to breed them, choose girls. It will be easier for females to get along together than for males, who will periodically engage in fights for leadership, territory and food.

Care and maintenance

In order for a pet to feel comfortable, it must be provided with appropriate living conditions.

Cell

The best solution for housing is a spacious, multi-story metal cage. When purchasing, make sure that it does not contain wooden or metal fittings, as a rat will quickly chew through it.

First of all, you need to decide how many animals you will have. As mentioned earlier, the minimum is 2 rats. The minimum dimensions of the cage are height 50 cm, length 60 m, width 40 cm.

For temporary housing (mooring a sick animal, etc.), smaller cages can be used.

The width of the rods should be less than 2 cm, otherwise the animal will simply squeeze through and run away.

Place to sleep and relax

The house should be quite large so that the rat can completely hide in it and lie down comfortably. The preferred material is durable, thick plastic. It does not absorb odors, is easy to disassemble and clean.

A hammock is a suspended structure made of soft fabric, closed or open, in which a rodent can hide from the cold and prying eyes.

Many rats willingly doze in hammocks, which looks extremely funny, but, unfortunately, this design is very short-lived and quickly absorbs the smell of the cage. It is better to have several in reserve, while one hammock is in the wash, the animal sleeps in the other.

Important! If several rats live in one cage, each of them should have its own house or hammock

Drinking bowl and other utensils

The most preferred material for bowls is thick ceramic. Such a plate is difficult to turn over, and it does not make noise when the pet is sorting through the food. There should be 2 bowls - one for industrial food, the second for complementary foods in the form of vegetables, meat and fruits.

If there are two Dumbo rats living in a cage, purchase a long bowl with bars attached, or place a large plate in the center of the cage. This will allow pets to eat freely without disturbing each other.

As for drinkers, the most preferable option is a ball drinker with a grate attachment. This design allows you to keep water clean and fresh for a very long time. The downside of this type of drinker is that it makes a lot of noise, and the ball can get stuck inside the tube.

Toys

The rat, unlike other pets, is not allowed to roam freely around the house. But sitting in a cage all the time can lead to obesity and mental problems.

To prevent the animal from getting bored, place ladders and ropes inside the cage. Special pipe labyrinths for rodents are also good. They can be purchased at a pet store or made yourself.

Benefits and harms

Rats are a vital link in every ecosystem. A striking example of this is the role of rodents in the “plant-mushroom” symbiosis. Rodents carry spores, ensuring their “meeting” with the necessary representatives of the flora.

Predatory animals and birds feed on rats. People use large rodents for scientific experiments. Decorative varieties of rats are bred for the purpose of domestication. They are often used in various educational projects and circus shows.

Rats are a necessary part of wildlife. An increase in population affects all elements of the ecosystem. The damage caused by rodents to people is enormous:

• damaged house walls and sewer pipes;
• damaged electrical wiring;
• poisoned crops;
• loss of part of the harvest harvested in storage;
• infection with infections (plague, salmonellosis, leptospirosis, pseudotuberculosis, etc.).

Wild rodents can cause significant damage to an orchard. They move freely through trees, damage the bark, and cause damage to shoots and fruits. Particularly dangerous are gray pasyuki, which have a rare appetite and aggressive character.

Care and maintenance at home

The decorative rat is unpretentious in keeping, but in order for the pet to be healthy and cheerful, it needs to create favorable conditions. There are few rules and they are easy to remember.

What to feed and what not to give to decorative rats

Rats are easy to keep because they are practically omnivores.

Despite the fact that rats are rodents, they cannot be fed only grain crops. The diet should be balanced, taking into account the pet’s weight and food preferences. An attentive owner always knows what treats the pet likes.

Healthy food:

• cereals;
• legumes;
• nuts;
• dried fruits;
• raw and boiled meat;
• fish;
• boiled eggs;
• cottage cheese;
• cheese.

Undesirable treats for decorative rats include, first of all, fruit pits. Some of them can cause poisoning because they contain amigladine. This is a toxic substance, the breakdown of which releases hydrocyanic acid. The most dangerous are the seeds from citrus fruits, persimmons, and apricots. Also, do not feed berry seeds to pets. Almonds are also undesirable for them.

Vegetables not recommended:

• fresh white cabbage;
• radish;
• turnip;
• radish;
• eggplants.

Greens are given in limited quantities. Exclude rhubarb and sorrel from the diet. Bananas and pineapples are not recommended for feeding.

Hygiene and bathing

Rats are not big fans of swimming.

Rats have the status of the cleanest rodents. But, despite this, the animal must be properly cared for. The cage must be regularly cleaned of feces and food debris. The procedure is carried out at least once every 2-3 days. Otherwise, an unpleasant odor will inevitably appear.

Twice a month it is necessary to treat all elements of the rat’s home with a 5-10 percent alkali solution or creolin. In this way, surfaces are disinfected, preventing the appearance of odors and destroying pathogenic microflora.

Contrary to popular belief, rats are not fans of water procedures. Bathing an animal can be complicated by its active resistance. But a lot depends on the pet’s personal preferences. There are individuals who are calm about this hygienic procedure.

It is necessary to bathe a rat in several cases:

• in the presence of parasites;
• if the fur smells unpleasant;
• if the animal is unable or unwilling to care for itself.

Diseases and treatment

At the first deviation from its normal state, the rat must be taken to the veterinarian

Rodents are most susceptible to infectious diseases. The first signs of poor health in your pet:

• lethargy;
• refusal of food;
• discharge from the eyes and nose;
• ruffled fur.

If any of these symptoms appear, you should contact your veterinarian. The most common diseases:

• salmonellosis;
• listeriosis;
• smallpox (ectromelia);
• pasteurellosis.

An owner who does not have a veterinary education is not able to study and remember the specific symptoms of each disease and the nature of its course. The owner only needs to be attentive and caring towards his pet. In this case, it is impossible not to notice deviations in his health, which will allow him to consult a specialist in a timely manner.

Without proper care, rats can develop parasitic diseases. Most often they are caused by the activity of single- and multicellular pathogenic microorganisms that infect the internal organs of the rat. When in contact with other animals, infection with fungal infections (scab), lichen, and helminths is possible. Unlike cats and dogs, rats are not dewormed. Antiparasitic drugs are started if an infection occurs.

Vaccination

Decorative rats are not vaccinated against rabies and other diseases. If the pet was purchased not from a pet store or nursery, but from hand, it must be shown to a veterinarian. Based on the examination of the animal, the specialist will decide whether the animal needs any treatment.

Choosing a house and accessories

The cage for a decorative rat should be spacious

The minimum size of a house for a decorative rat is 600x400 mm. The more spacious the pet is, the better for it. If the cage is made of metal rods, the optimal cell size is 15x15 mm. In such a house, the animal will not be injured by sticking its head through the bars. The animal cage must contain:

• feeder;
• drinking bowl;
• litter

Rats are mobile and active animals. It is necessary to arrange a play area for them. These can be ladders and labyrinths, as well as various toys. One of the favorite pastimes of rats is swinging in a hammock. You can make it yourself from scrap materials, or buy it at a pet store.

How to distinguish old animals from young individuals?

Pet rats can live up to 3 years, but for most of that time they do not change their appearance.
This is one of the reasons why it is not recommended to buy an adult rat, but instead look for young rats that are approximately 6 weeks old. Not only is an adult rat more difficult to socialize, but they may not live long, which can be heartbreaking, especially if this is your first pet rat. Typically, the following factors indicate the age of an animal:

Rat teeth color

When a rat's teeth appear, they have a yellow tint. However, over time they become a little darker and the teeth turn orange in old age.

However, it is possible that you have found a rat with natural orange teeth rather than a rat whose life is coming to an end. But think twice before picking up a rat with orange teeth, as it may leave you too soon.

A rat's diet and general health can also affect the coloration of its teeth, and even a young rat may have orange teeth under certain circumstances.

Rat fur quality

Rats are quite finicky animals; they like to be clean and well-groomed. This means that you can often tell how old a rat is by the condition of its fur.

If it has a smooth, silky coat that looks shiny and beautiful and is mostly even in length, the rat is probably less than 6 months old (or possibly 9 months old for females).

As rats mature, they go through the equivalent of puberty. Their fur becomes coarser and less silky, and this occurs more dramatically in male rats than in female rats. In old rats, that is, older than 18 months, the fur may be coarse or absent.

If a rat has orange teeth and its fur is in poor condition, it can be assumed that the animal is at retirement age.

What affects life expectancy

Dumbo rats are unpretentious, so they have managed to adapt to living conditions in many countries. At minimal cost, owners get a cute pet with an easy-going character and extraordinary intelligence.

Conditions of detention

Rats feel great in small cages (60x40x60cm) with metal bars. The cage must have:

• deep plastic tray;
• solid bottom;
• wide doors;
• shelves;
• stairs;
• ropes.

The Dumbo family is very friendly, so several rodents can easily fit into the cage. Together they feel completely comfortable: they do the cleaning and brush out the fur.

A small house inside the cage will add comfort to the Dumbo rats. Babies love to retire and take a nap in silence. Adult pets will appreciate a warm hammock; they will be happy to spend their leisure time there.

Wood or corn filler will help eliminate the specific odor from the rat family. Sometimes owners try to lay napkins or toilet paper on the bottom, but this option is not suitable for rats. Regular cleaning will also help keep the cage clean. Twice a week it is necessary to remove leftover food and used filler, change the water in the drinking bowl, and carry out disinfection.

Dumbos at home should live in a warm room where there are no drafts and moisture. Rats are very sensitive to sharp sounds, blinding light, and overheating. They get tired of people's annoying attention.

Diet

Dumbo rats, unlike rodents that live in the wild, are very sensitive to the consumption of low-quality food. Poor nutrition can easily provoke gastrointestinal disorders and allergies, so owners will have to create a diet according to certain rules.

The rat's menu must include:

It is strictly forbidden to give Dumbo rats fatty and fried food from the master's table, alcohol, sausage, sprouted potatoes, green bananas. The quality of the food should not be in doubt, otherwise the pet will become ill.

Young rats are fed 3–4 times a day. Adult pets need only two meals a day.

It is important to remove uneaten food debris so that the rodent does not eat spoiled pieces.

Hygiene

Dumbo rats are real clean people. They clean their fur and wash themselves, so you don’t have to bathe them often. Water procedures will be required if the pet gets very dirty. Rats, unlike other pets, love to swim. They can splash around in warm water for a long time.

Bathing is carried out with special shampoos in a warm room without drafts. It is necessary to ensure that water does not get into your pet’s ears, which can lead to hearing loss. After bathing, the rat is wrapped in a warm towel and dried well. If the room is cold, it is better to dry the fur with a warm stream from a hairdryer.

One of the dangers of swimming is hypothermia. A frozen rat can easily catch a cold. Therefore, in the cold season, the doors and windows in the room are tightly closed, and a heater is placed near the cage.

Entertainment

Caring for and maintaining Dumbo rats means not only food and a cozy home, but also a kind of gym. In the absence of the owner, the animals entertain themselves by climbing ropes and rope ladders, and passing through tunnels. Some craftsmen make toys for pets on their own.

How to increase the lifespan of a rodent

Adorable rats are very sociable. They are ready to play outdoor games with their owner for a long time. Pets easily master jumping over a barrier, fetch small objects, and look for tidbits. Training gives them real pleasure.

Loneliness has a detrimental effect on a child. Therefore, busy owners should seriously think about purchasing a friend. The main thing is to buy a same-sex pet, otherwise instead of a couple of rat pups, you will soon have a whole litter living in a cage. The age of a newly acquired rodent should not exceed six months, because adult rodents are less able to adapt to life in a new family.

Timely treatment

The body of Dumbo rats is susceptible to many diseases, which only a veterinarian can diagnose. Moreover, some of them are dangerous to humans. For example, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, parasitic infections.

The causes of illness and shortened life are mainly due to improper feeding and hypothermia. A rodent can catch an infection from its owner, so during illness you should not come close to the cage unless necessary.

The following signs will help you suspect your pet is unwell:

• lethargy;
• refusal of food;
• dull coat;
• baldness;
• discharge from the nose, ears;
• diarrhea;
• breathing disorder.

A sick animal takes unnatural poses, shows aggressiveness and anxiety. Even one of the listed signs should prompt the owner to contact a veterinarian.

Dumbo rats immediately attract attention. Its charming appearance and easy-going nature make the rodent an ideal pet. But the owners will have to take care not only of proper nutrition and living conditions for the little rat. An important element of a full-fledged existence is communication. If the owner cannot pay enough attention to the pet, then you should think about expanding the rat family.

Bathing rats

Perhaps, rats can be divided into two “camps” - some are wary of bathing, and you will have serious problems when trying to bathe your pet, while others will happily climb up to perform bathing procedures.

Rats are very clean and you shouldn’t have a need for “routine” bathing as such, and you shouldn’t bathe rats unnecessarily.

However, there are times when bathing is necessary:

• The rat got very dirty with something that it absolutely cannot eat (while walking around the house, rats can accidentally knock over something).
• The rat emits an unpleasant odor and has an unkempt fur or tail (if you have not had the opportunity to change the cage substrate for a long time, for example, or if the rat does not take care of itself);
• If you need to detect and remove parasites;
• Older rats need to be bathed as they find it difficult to groom themselves.

How long do dumbos live?

Under good living conditions, the average lifespan of a Dumbo rat is 3-3.5 years. However, premature death of the animal can occur as a result of certain diseases. Representatives of this breed are susceptible to the following diseases:

• conjunctivitis;
• mycoplasmosis;
• neoplasms;
• helminthiasis

To avoid adverse consequences for the health and life of your pet, it is important to know the main symptoms indicating malaise: decreased activity, runny eyes and nasal passages, refusal to eat and drink, fur sticking out in different directions, prolonged solitude in a house or in the corner of a cage.

Description of the breed

Dumbo rats have large ears on a small skull. The shape of the auricle differs in different species, they are:

• pointed;
• round and flat;
• slightly curled;
• resembling half-open petals with a pointed tip.

The animals have a short, pear-shaped body with greatly expanded pelvic bones. Males reach a length of 18-20 cm, body weight ranges from 250 to 500 mg. Females reach 15 cm and weigh about 250-400 g. Dumbo differ from other types of ornamental rats by a wide and flat skull with a blunt muzzle, and a longer tail.

On average, Dumbo rats live about 2-3 years. Life expectancy strictly depends on the quality of feeding and care of the pet. With timely treatment of diseases and a balanced diet, rodents can live to a ripe old age and delight their owners for 5 years.

Types of dumbo rats

There are several varieties of the Dumbo breed, differing in coat color.

Dumbo Rex Rat

A characteristic feature of the Rex is its strong, curly fur. There are rats of different colors: white, black and gray. In some cases, a baby may be born with variegated fur consisting of 3 or more colors. When removed over a considerable distance, the rodent without movement resembles a soft toy. In addition to fur, the rat has curled antennae. When you carefully examine the animal, you will notice thick and wavy fur, which will be rough when touched.

Dumbo Siamese rat

Rats of this species are distinguished by dark tails, paws and the front of the muzzle, which resemble Siamese cats. Areas of black or brown fur create a sharp contrast against the white body fur. Cubs rarely inherit this color. Siamese rodents are irritable and often show aggression towards their owners.

Dumbo sphinx rat

For people predisposed to allergies to wool, there is a special type of Dumbo - the Sphynx. Rats are completely hairless. Rodents are warm and soft to the touch, their skin is quite delicate and traumatic. The skin may not only have a pink color. There are animals with chocolate, white and bluish colors. These rats were specially bred through numerous crossings and genetic mutations.

Dumbo Husky Rat

Husky is rare. Such rats are often called chameleons due to the change in coat color throughout life. If a rodent baby is born with a white-gray, black or brown coat, it may later change to a new coat with white patterns.

Dumbo rat blue mink

The rarest variety of Dumbo rats is the blue mink, which is characterized by a purple-blue fur color. The texture of rodent fur can vary. The most common animals are those with straight, smooth hair. Rats with curly fur or long hairs on their faces are considered more expensive.

Dumbo Manx Rat

Features of behavior and character of the Dumbo rat

Smart rats quickly find a common language with people and get used to being picked up. They fearlessly climb over humans, displaying friendliness and sociability. Dumbo has a good sense of smell, so their activity increases when the owner approaches with various treats: sweet fruits, sugar or grains. At the same time, in everyday life, rats are not very mobile. They love to snooze at the bottom of the cage, basking in the sun's rays.

Rats are social animals, so without the attention of the owner or other relatives, they begin to get bored. Zoologists recommend purchasing rodents in quantities of several pieces.

Origin of the species and description

Photo: Dumbo Rat

A few words about how this breed was formed in general and thanks to which it gained worldwide popularity. The name of the decorative rat of the Dumbo breed is explained by the similarity of this animal with a cartoon elephant calf. Moreover, initially the name “dambo” was unofficial, “folk”, which was assigned to decorative rodents by their first owners. Off we go, and when the breeders decided to officially register the new species, no one had any questions regarding its name.

Video: Dumbo Rat

There is no exact date for the formation of the species - for the first time, “dambiks” appeared among private individuals (as pets - they were used in laboratories before that) in the USA in the early 90s. Then the fashion spread to Japan and China - there, in general, such rodents have always been highly revered, and the novelty in the form of “dambies” successfully supplanted the familiar hamsters. Well, in the late 90s, the fashion for decorative rats also appeared in Russia, and domestic zoologists developed several new breeds of this animal.

Interesting fact: The Dumbo rat breed is considered artificially bred. Yes, in nature there are rodents similar to dambiks, but they have a number of significant differences. Despite the fact that they can easily interbreed with each other and produce offspring capable of reproduction, they cannot be classified as one species.

So even if you have never kept a pet, do not be afraid - the Dumbo rat is considered one of the best options for the first animal that a person decides to place in his own living space. The catchphrase “you come home and she’s happy to see you” is clearly about the Dumbo rat. People who have never had a decorative rat before do not even suspect how affectionate, intelligent and responsive these rodents are. Smart and sociable rodents get used to their owners no worse than dogs and cats. Fluffy rodents “will not require” a significant living space, they will not have to undergo difficult specific care and spend money on purchasing expensive food.

Feeding

These pets are quite unpretentious in their choice of food, but are not omnivorous, like ordinary ones. Decorative rats are very gentle creatures, often having intestinal problems and allergies. Its menu should include:

• grain base - it is better to purchase a special mixture for rodents in pet stores. It should make up 60% of the total diet. You can also feed with unprocessed pumpkin, flax or sunflower seeds;
• proteins - occasionally (1-2 times a week) give a little meat (raw or boiled), chicken, yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs will benefit your pet;
• herbs - parsley, cilantro, dandelion, dill, plantain, radish tops;
• vegetables and fruits (preferably boiled) - apples, bananas, carrots, white cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkin, eggplant, potatoes. Citrus fruits must be treated selectively - they can cause allergies in your pet;
• delicacies - grain sticks, nuts, dates, berries, dried fruits, raisins, crackers (unsalted only), unsweetened cookies, boiled pasta, boiled shrimp and seafood.

It is necessary to give fish oil and specialized vitamins. Animals are fed 2 times a day: morning and evening. The exception is pregnant rats - they are fed 4-5 times a day. If you adhere to the basic requirements for what to feed your rat Dumbo, he will be healthy and cheerful.

Important! If your pet refuses to eat for 1-2 days, you should immediately show him to a veterinarian!

These pets are quite unpretentious in their choice of food, but are not omnivorous, like ordinary ones. Decorative rats are very gentle creatures, often having problems with the intestines and allergies.

Its menu should include:

• grain base - it is better to purchase a special mixture for rodents in pet stores. It should make up 60% of the total diet. You can also feed with unprocessed pumpkin, flax or sunflower seeds;
• proteins - occasionally (1-2 times a week) give a little meat (raw or boiled), chicken, yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs will benefit your pet;
• herbs - parsley, cilantro, dandelion, dill, plantain, radish tops;
• vegetables and fruits (preferably boiled) - apples, bananas, carrots, white cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkin, eggplant, potatoes. Citrus fruits must be treated selectively - they can cause allergies in your pet;
• delicacies - grain sticks, nuts, dates, berries, dried fruits, raisins, crackers (unsalted only), unsweetened cookies, boiled pasta, boiled shrimp and seafood.

It is necessary to give fish oil and specialized vitamins. Animals are fed 2 times a day: morning and evening. The exception is pregnant rats - they are fed 4-5 times a day. If you adhere to the basic requirements for what to feed your rat Dumbo, he will be healthy and cheerful.

If the owner is interested in his pet living as long and healthy as possible, the following products should be avoided:

• chocolate and products containing it;
• other sweets;
• sausage and frankfurters;
• canned food for people;
• raw beans and other legumes;
• cheeses (especially blue and salted);
• soda;
• sprouted potatoes;
• Brussels sprouts and red cabbage;
• green bananas;
• spinach;
• beet;
• fatty and salty foods.

Varieties

Currently, breeders have bred quite a lot of varieties of dumbo rats. However, 6 main types are most popular among breeders.

Sphinx

The main distinguishing feature is the complete absence of wool. The skin of healthy pets is pink, pleasant to the touch, and has numerous folds. In rare cases, sparse fluff is observed on the muzzle and in the groin area. Pets' whiskers are underdeveloped or absent altogether.

Due to the lack of fur, sphinxes are very sensitive to environmental conditions and easily become hypothermic. To prevent your pet from freezing, the temperature in the room with the cage should not be lower than +21-22°C.

Dumbo Rex have a thick coat that is wavy or curly. The wool is very pleasant and soft to the touch. In rat pups that have not reached the age of one month, the hairs do not curl, but stick out in all directions. Whiskers, like wool, are slightly curly.

Manx

Manx rats are distinguished by the complete absence of a tail. This makes them neater than other varieties of dumbos. However, this feature brings many problems to the animals.

Due to the lack of a tail, Manx cats have an imperfect thermoregulation system - rodents constantly overheat. Comfortable air temperature for them is +19-20°C. Also, tailless pets often have problems with the genitourinary system and hind legs. Therefore, representatives of this breed are not in demand.

Husky

Dumbo Husky rats change color throughout their lives. Pets approach sexual maturity with gray, dark gray or brown fur. And later, pure white hairs appear in the coat, which form a mask on the muzzle, characteristic of dogs of the same breed. Husky rats can also have eyes of different colors - such individuals are especially valued by breeders.

Blue mink

Blue dambos are distinguished by their rare color. The fur of rodents is gray-smoky, with a pronounced blue tint. Meeting such a little rat in a pet store is real luck. Usually you can only buy a rare blue variety from professional breeders. And the prices for this exclusive breed are quite high.

Pros and cons of rats as a pet

Decorative rats are smart and friendly, but they like to sharpen their teeth on various objects.

On the part of people, the attitude towards decorative rats is ambiguous. You can find both supporters and opponents of keeping these animals. If a person dislikes the very sight of rodents, he will not be interested in them.

For those who love these smart and nimble animals, it is important to know about all the pros and cons of keeping them. This will help you decide on the choice of pet.

Pros:

1. Developed intellectual abilities, thanks to which rats quickly get used to the owner and are able to guess his mood.
2. With proper persistence on the part of the owner, they can be trained.
3. Lack of aggression towards humans, relatives and pets.
4. Requires little space for content.
5. There will be no need to spend a lot on purchasing feed.
6. Omnivorous.
7. They quickly get used to children and allow them to play with them.
8. Simple care, mostly consisting of cleaning the cage or other rat house.

Minuses:

1. In a state of fear or physical pain, they may bite.
2. The average lifespan is 2–3 years. Once you become attached to a pet, it is difficult to cope with its loss.
3. If kept freely, the rat will inevitably chew on various objects, furniture, shoes.
4. If the smell of food comes from your fingers, the rat may bite.
5. People with a sensitive sense of smell may not like the smell emanating from their pet. But most owners don't notice it.

What to name the animal

You shouldn't give your pet the first name that comes to mind.

It is advisable to choose names for your pet that will highlight its individuality. To choose the right one, you can rely on the recommendations of experienced rat breeders.

1. There is no need to rush to give your Dumbo rat the first name you like. You need to take a closer look at the pet, observe it, and note its characteristic behavioral features.
2. Each pet is special to its owner and has the right to a “special” name. Therefore, you should not stop at the usual names for rats, but choose an original one.
3. If there are several animals, they can be given names from the same category. For example, the names of the planets are suitable.
4. Hints in choosing a name can be found in fairy tales, cartoons or nursery rhymes.

It is important to choose a name that can be changed to a diminutive. This is what the owner will most often call his charming pet with big ears.

Dumbo the rat is one of the best pets. Communication with him is always interesting and evokes a lot of positive emotions. Taking care of a rodent is not difficult, and food costs are low.

What to feed your pet rat?

It is not enough to know about the care and maintenance of a pet rat: feeding is an equally important aspect, because the pet constantly needs clean and fresh water and food. For liquids, a drinking bowl is placed so that the water does not spill and the cage does not become dirty and damp. The water needs to be changed every day.

The food should include grains (oats, wheat, millet, barley), fruits (apples, bananas, peaches, apricots, persimmons), berries (grapes, strawberries, raspberries), vegetables, herbs (dandelion and plantain leaves), dried fruits , nuts (except almonds) and chicken bones (necessary for grinding teeth). You can give meat, but in small portions and no more than once a week.

The normal feeding frequency is 2 times a day for adults, 3-4 times for children and adolescents.

Additionally, owners purchase a mineral stone that can provide the animal with the necessary amount of calcium.

List of prohibited products:

• roast,
• salty,
• smoked,
• fatty,
• spicy,
• cold,
• sweet.

So candy, chocolate, sausage, bread, soy are not an option. Vegetables such as cabbage, turnips, radishes, radishes, beets, legumes and raw potatoes should not be given. All permitted vegetables and fruits must be ripe (not green, but not overripe). Do not offer your rat leaves from indoor plants or fruit trees.

A properly selected diet is the key to animal health. It’s easy to put together if you know what pet rats eat and what you should absolutely not give.

Nutrition and prohibited foods

It is important to know exactly what to feed your dumbo rat. Proper nutrition will help keep your pet active and extend its life.

First of all, you need to carefully ensure that the rat always has clean water. The drink should be changed daily.

The diet of a Dumbo rat should be rich in nutrients and vitamins. It is useful to feed them with grain: oats, wheat, barley. To diversify the diet, you can add boiled liver to animal food: kidneys, liver, heart. Rodents should be given nuts to wear down their teeth.

Dumbo loves fresh apples, peaches, ripe bananas, and cherries. But you need to be careful with dried fruits: they contain a high sugar content.

Knowing what dumbo rats eat, you should exclude the following foods from their diet:

• fatty fried foods
• raw potatoes
• radish, turnip, radish
• cabbage
• artichokes
• legumes
• citrus
• mushrooms
• dairy
• sweets

Many people are interested in the question of whether it is possible to feed a dumbo rat with sausage or meat. The answer is clear: you can’t. Sausages contain a large amount of preservatives, spices and salt, which are dangerous for rodents. The same applies to meats that are high in fat.

Small rodents are fed no more than twice a day, adult Dumbo rats more often: three to four.

Breeds of decorative rats

The breed of rats is determined by their body structure and fur.

The definition of a breed of decorative rat is completely different from what is commonly believed in relation to other domestic animals. The concept of “breed” in dogs and cats implies the production of offspring that inherit from their parents the features of appearance, basic mental and character traits.

It's different with rats. The offspring inherits parental characteristics only with some probability. Therefore, the breed is determined by two criteria:

• body structure;
• quality of fur.

There is also a clarifying classification of these rodents based on coat color.

7 breeds of decorative rats have been standardized:

• standard;
• rex;
• satin (otherwise called “satin”);
• sphinx (hairless);
• dumbo;
• tailless;
• downy

Standard

It is representatives of this breed that most people think of when they hear the phrase “decorative rat.”

The most common breed. It is with this that the term “decorative rat” is associated. People who are not interested in breeding these rodents imagine them this way.

Characteristics of the breed:

• short glossy fur;
• elongated body (maximum - up to 24 cm);
• hairless, thickened at the base, long tail;
• small rounded ears;
• above the eyes there are thin short vibrissae (stiff hairs, which are called whiskers and eyebrows, are also found in cats and dogs).

Rex

Rex rats look more sophisticated

Surprisingly beautiful and impressive rodents with curly fur and curled antennae. They are distinguished by a matte shade of the “fur coat”, which is quite thick and tough. There is a small amount of hair on the belly. Some representatives of the breed may have them completely absent.

Character traits:

• shorter mustache than other relatives;
• wool hardness;
• a small number of vibrissae.

Satin

Satin rats are very pleasant to pet

Decorative rats of the satin breed attract with their intelligence, smoothness and silky fur. These pets are pleasant to pet, which they really enjoy. Males and females can reach a length of 30 cm. The average weight of a male is 600–800 g, a female is 300–450 g. The physique is similar to the “standard” breed.

Character traits:

• short shiny fur;
• wide variety of colors;
• bare legs and tail.

Sphinx

This breed is not afraid of shedding

Sphynxes are spectacular decorative rats with a complete absence of hair on all parts of the body. They attract with their intelligence, friendliness and exoticism. The breed standard allows for thin and short fluff on the cheeks, paws and groin area. The mustache can be spectacularly curled, like that of the Rex breed. The lack of hair determines the characteristics of caring for these pets. They must be protected from drafts and sharp-edged objects.

Dumbo

The main distinguishing feature of the Dumbo breed is its charming saucer ears.

A relatively young breed, bred in the mid-90s of the last century. Its representatives have several distinctive features:

• rounded, rather large ears, located closer to the cheeks than in rats of other breeds;
• relatively small sizes: 15–20 cm in length;
• wider skull than other decorative rats;
• The body shape is pear-shaped, thickening towards the tail.

The breed standard allows for some pointed ears, but two types of shapes are considered acceptable:

• "saucer";
• “tulip”, with the edge of the ear slightly lowered down.

Tailless

Tailless rats are more similar to hamsters than to their relatives in the rat kingdom

The breed was obtained by accident, the result of an unintentional mutation. The name of the breed is “speaking”, informing about its characteristics. Rats are born tailless, with a pear-shaped body. A characteristic feature is modified lumbar vertebrae. This determines the stockiness of the physique and the roundness of the croup.

Tailless rats with different eye colors are often found. The fur of representatives of the breed is short, slight curling is acceptable. The color can be very different, including spots.

Downy

The downy rat lives up to its name

A distinctive feature of the breed is its short fur, through which the skin of the body is visible. These rodents have frequent molting, during which different parts of the body are periodically exposed. The color of the fur can be very different. The hairs are longer and stiffer on the face and belly. Vibrissae short and slightly curled.

Differences from wild rats

While ornamental rats are very similar to their wild relatives, there are significant differences between them. The most noticeable difference is the appearance. Random mutations (mostly in color) can occur in the wild, but are rare.

Decorative rats are calmer and less aggressive towards humans due to breeding and, as a result, the constant selection of producers with the desired set of behavioral qualities. However, ornamental rats, like any other domestic animals, can become wild and over several generations produced in natural conditions, their behavior and attitude towards humans can become indistinguishable from initially wild rats. This phenomenon is regularly encountered by rat lovers who are engaged in catching colonies or families of decorative rats that find themselves on the street.

Decorative rats have greater body weight and fertility. They are less afraid of new products, they have a calmer reaction to light and sound, and neophobia is less developed. Wild rats are mainly nocturnal, sometimes going out during the day in search of food. In domesticated rats this is not so pronounced. In a fight, wild rats produce sharper screams than domestic ones. In addition, a wild rat that loses a “battle” almost always runs away from the winning one, while domesticated rats can behave differently after a fight.

Domesticated rats live longer than wild ones. This is because kitty rats are protected from predators and always have access to food, water, shelter and veterinary care. Their average lifespan is approximately 2–3 years, unlike wild ones, which on average live less than 1 year. Wild rats have larger brains, hearts, livers, kidneys and adrenal glands. However, decorative rats, like wild ones, are susceptible to many different diseases, among which a special place is occupied by the respiratory syndrome of mouse-like rodents (respiratory diseases of various etiologies), as well as various neoplasms (tumors of the mammary glands, brain, etc.).

Colors

The color of animals of this breed variety, as well as the length and quality of the coat within the species, can vary greatly. Most often there are individuals with short, velvety, straight hair in gray, white, black and chocolate colors. Rare colors of dumbo rats are Siamese, amber, topaz, and mosaic (tricolor).

Amazingly beautiful Dumbo rat of blue mink color. You can find it only from large breeders at a price that is quite high for decorative rats.

Scientists, by crossing rodents of the Dambo breed variety with decorative rats of other breeds, managed to obtain new subspecies that deserve the attention of amateur rat breeders.

Dumbo rats have the following subspecies:

• Sphynx - can be white, blue, chocolate and black. Their body is completely devoid of vegetation. There is some hair on the back, paws and head. There are either no mustaches at all, or they are very small and curled upward. Suitable for people with allergies;
• rex, on the contrary, has thick, wavy and fairly stiff hair;
• Husky is a chameleon rat. Only it has the amazing ability to “bloom” - to change color with age. Babies are born of a standard color - black, gray, red, etc., but with age, their fur is diluted with white hairs - so that, born black, a rat pup, having matured, turns into a snow-white miracle. Their ideal color is “salt and pepper.”

Experienced rat breeders know how long domestic Dumbo rats live. And you won’t be able to please beginners with the length of your pet’s life – you need to immediately get used to the idea that your pet will stay with you for about 2-4 years. Thanks to good care and nutrition, many manage to extend their life by a year and a half, but no more.

Types of decorative rats

There are several varieties of the Dumbo breed:

Siamese

The color of the Siamese is similar to that of the cat breed of the same name: white or light beige fur and a small brown spot on the face.

The color of the husky is similar to the color of the coat of the dog breed of the same name: white coat with dark spots on the body and head.

The Rex's long curly coat, hairs and whiskers are slightly curled.

Sphinx

There is no wool. The skin is thin, soft and warm. The main advantage of the species is its inability to cause allergies.

A cage with metal bars is needed so that the animal cannot chew them. It must be installed in a place that is not in a draft, in direct sun, near a radiator or heater. The cage size for 1-2 rats is at least 60x40x30 cm.

The room temperature should not fall below +20 degrees, otherwise there is a high probability of your pet catching a cold.

The cage contains attributes for entertainment and sleep: a house, a wheel, pipes, ladders.

Large sawdust or dry granules are suitable as filler.

You cannot put newspaper paper in a cage.

When wet, it emits toxic substances contained in printing ink, which causes great damage to the health of the animal.

The filler is changed every 2-3 days. Once every 15-17 days, all elements of the house are treated with a disinfectant.

Dry air can harm your pet's health, so the humidity in the room should be 50-55%.

Dumbos are friendly and easy to get along with if treated affectionately. It is forbidden to talk loudly near the animal, shout at it, hit it, push it hard, sharply grab it or pick it up.

When the cage is heavily soiled, Dumbo rats can squeak loudly; when there is a lack of food, they can rattle the feeder or stand on their hind legs next to it.

To grind down teeth, rats are provided with wooden sticks made from hardwood.

Dumbos are distinguished by their friendliness and easy-going nature, so they easily get along with other animals. The main problem becomes the character of the rat's neighbor.

These animals do not like to sit in a cage all the time, so they need to be walked around the house. The owner needs to be careful: there is a risk of not noticing the pet and stepping on it. In addition, your pet may chew on wires.

Bathing is often prohibited, only in cases of extreme necessity. These animals are susceptible to colds. In case of local contamination, you can remove the dirt with a damp cloth.

Pregnancy and childbirth

A rat's pregnancy lasts just over 20 days; a rounded tummy becomes noticeable by the end of the first week after mating. While bearing offspring, the female needs special attention and careful care. She needs to be provided with adequate nutrition and vitamins.

To give birth in a cage, you should prepare a place where the rodent can retire. If there is no such place, then the expectant mother will make herself a nest from materials found in the home.

The duration of labor is 2-3 hours; one litter can have up to 15 babies.

How to care for newborn rat pups

The female takes care of her offspring herself. The owner can only take care of the mother’s good nutrition and the cleanliness of the cage.

It is strictly forbidden to handle baby rats under two weeks of age. This can anger the female and lead to the death of the offspring.

Training and playing with your pet

The variety of types of games with a rat will surprise you

Decorative rats have a natural intelligence, which makes them easy to train. It has been noticed that individuals with colored fur are more capable of learning. White rats are more inert. In addition, their eyesight is worse.

Rules for training decorative rats:

1. The last meal should be 10–12 hours before the start of classes. In this case, the pet will be more active in seeking the treat.
2. The maximum lesson duration is 30 minutes.
3. Before starting training, the animal is given the opportunity to sniff and explore the place where the lesson will take place. In this case, the rat will not be distracted by unknown odors.
4. Training is carried out starting with the reinforcement of random movements and actions. If the pet jumps over any object, reward it with a treat and return it to its original position.
5. They complicate the task only after the previous actions have been fully practiced and consolidated.

Tricks that decorative rats can perform:

• jump over an object;
• jumping through a hoop;
• searching for treats in the maze;
• walking on hind legs;
• taking a piece of paper out of the box;
• choosing a specific item from several located next to each other;
• running up stairs (including rope stairs).

Playing together brings pleasure to both the owner and his pet. Most popular toys:

• small balls (ideally from table tennis);
• beautiful pieces of paper;
• matchboxes filled with treats.

Watching your pet play is interesting and educational. The game reveals the character of the rat, and the owner begins to better understand his pet.

Training Basics

Small and cunning Dumbos are happy to follow simple commands in order to get a treat. But you should not force the animal to perform complex tasks from the very first days. Start with the basics:

1. Get your rat used to being handled. This step is the most important, but the most exciting for new rat breeders. Do not make sudden movements, do not grab or squeeze the rat - it may get scared and bite you. Calmly extend your open palm to the animal and let the pet know that you do not pose a danger to its life. You need to devote at least 2 hours to this every day.
2. Learn to respond to a name. Every time you open the cage, pick up the rat, pet it or give it a treat, say its name clearly. Do not use diminutives and do not go through different nicknames. The animal must build a clear association between the sounds being spoken and the result obtained.
3. Train your rat to return to the cage. You should move on to this step when the animal clearly remembers its name. Open the cage, step back a few steps, give your pet a treat and call him over. Let your pet run up and take the food from your hand. Allow him to return to the cage on his own, and when she enters, say the command “home!” After a few repetitions, Dmbo will learn to come home and leave the cage on command.

Today it is difficult to surprise anyone by keeping unusual pets in an apartment, and more and more people are looking for an alternative to the usual cats and dogs. Dumbo rats are an excellent option for those who want to get a smart and entertaining pet that does not require large financial outlays.

Interesting facts about Dumbo:

• This species has very unusual ears, in fact, because of this, the rats got their name - in honor of the elephant of the same name from the cartoon;
• Dumbo rats were bred in California laboratories in 1991; they were brought to Russia in the 2000s from England;
• Dam rats grow to 15-20 centimeters, males weigh 250-500 grams, and females 200-400 grams;
• Scientists still do not know why such a mutation occurred and lop-eared rats appeared. The big-eared gene is recessive, so not all Dumbo babies will have big ears;
• Domestic rats are sweet, trusting and cunning creatures: they easily find hidden food and easily navigate in space.

How to extend the life of a pet? Recommendations for owners

It is very important to treat all diseases in a timely manner and prevent them from becoming chronic. Not everyone understands the anatomy of rats, and even fewer people know about possible diseases

In this case, you can contact a veterinary clinic; now almost all specialized clinics have a doctor who treats rodents directly - a ratologist. In small towns, it will most likely be difficult to find such a specialist, but even an ordinary veterinarian can easily diagnose the disease and prescribe therapy.

In addition to health, it is important to pay attention to the maintenance of your pet; for a comfortable life, rats require a spacious cage, which will be equipped with everything necessary

The litter you choose for your cage is also important. Many people are not aware that woody ones are not desirable for use in rat cages. This is due to the content of essential oils in the tree, which can cause allergic reactions or diseases of the ENT organs.

When buying a new pet, you should isolate it from other pets for a month so that the animal undergoes adaptation and adapts to foreign bacteria. To do this, it is worth placing the cage in a room where other animals will not have access.

Conditions for keeping rats and cage hygiene

Life expectancy is closely related to the hygiene and living conditions of decorative rats, for example:

size of the home - the more animals, the larger the area should be

Females require tall cages, while males, on the contrary, prefer a larger area; accessories - ladders and shelves are necessary to maintain physical activity; couple - it is important not to forget that in the wild these animals live in packs, and it is best to keep several individuals at once (of the same sex - unless you plan to become a breeder); walks - by purchasing a walking ball, you will provide the opportunity for even greater activity of the rodent, and besides, it is safe; care - rats are social animals, they become attached to household members and require attention and care. If you can provide the rodent with all the necessary conditions for a comfortable life, you will contribute to its long and happy life

If you can provide your rodent with all the necessary conditions for a comfortable life, you will contribute to his long and happy life.

Proper nutrition

Life expectancy in the wild directly depends on the nutrition of the rodent, often this is insufficient or poor nutrition:

1. Foraging for food in landfills.
2. Feeds on small animals and insects.
3. The predominance of plant foods.
4. Cannibalism - in conditions of hunger, rats often eat their relatives.

Settling in cities or near them, many rats die from the poison that people spread to fight animals.

For a long and healthy life, a rat should eat about 80% grains and about 20% vegetables/fruits/greens. There must be constant access to clean, usable water.

Young rats should be fed boiled meat and eggs at least once a week. Sometimes you can pamper them with nuts. Sprouted grains have a tonic effect and prevent many diseases, so they are also recommended to be added to the diet of decorative rats.

Habitat and characteristics of the breed

Rodents of this breed are not found in the wild; they are bred specifically for decorative purposes. The name of the animal was given by a Disney elephant calf, which differs from other representatives of its species by its large ears.

The characteristic features of the Dumbo rat are:

• Large, compared to the size of the rest of the body, low-set, rounded ears
• Pear-shaped short body
• Pointed muzzle
• A long tail

The size of the dumbo rat is practically no different from the size of its relatives; weight – up to 400 grams, length – up to 20 cm. Of course, there are larger individuals, but they are quite rare.

• The larger the ears of a rodent, the more valuable a representative of the breed it is.
• The homeland of dumbos is California, and they were brought to Russia in the early 2000s. from England.
• The gene responsible for the shape of rodent ears is recessive. This means that rats with large round ears can give birth to quite normal offspring. And he, in turn, has little rats that meet most Dumbo standards.

Social structure and reproduction

Photo: Male and female Dumbo

The vitality and growth rate of the rat population has become a household name - in nature, rodents reproduce several times a year. Ornamental dambiks are also quite prolific, however, to breed these animals, owners will need to select a healthy pair with pronounced characteristics of the species. These are: a pear-shaped short body and a long narrow tail, as well as a wide flattened head with large round ears.

The first mating of a female should occur at 5-7 months. Pregnancy in Dumbo rats lasts 21-23 days. One litter usually produces 9-12 adorable babies. Dumbo rat pups are born blind and deaf with a naked body. Moreover, not all newborns may have large, round ears - this species characteristic is difficult to preserve. The individual development of babies occurs very quickly. At 4 days of age, they already begin to hear; at 12 days, dambiks open their small eyes. At the age of 2 weeks, the offspring of Dumbo rats are already actively studying their owners and learning about the world around them.

It is very important for the owner of a Dumbo rat to remember that this charming rodent is a social animal. It is very important to provide your pet with communication with both relatives and humans. Systematically conducted outdoor games with this animal, the affectionate formation of precious trust and reverent love - dambiks become attached to only one person for life. Smart rodents have no trouble mastering simple tricks, fetching small objects, finding treats, and even jumping over barriers. Training brings a lot of pleasure to both animals and humans.

How long after birth can you pick up

Seeing small newborn lumps swarming around an adult female, you just want to pick them up or at least touch them. Under no circumstances should this be done. Firstly, their body is still very fragile and the slightest wrong movement or compression can lead to injury to the baby. Secondly, after you hold the baby in your hand, its coat will acquire a specific human smell. Mother rats often abandon such babies: they stop taking care of them, don’t feed them, and don’t keep them warm. The result is inevitable death. Despite all the caring behavior of females towards their offspring, they can kill a baby that emits an alien odor.

You will be interested to know what to do if decorative rats fight among themselves.

By three weeks, babies already look strong enough and can eat “adult” food. Even if the female does not want to accept a cub that smells like a human, it will be able to live and feed on its own. Experienced rat breeders recommend not delaying the taming of decorative rats. When the animal is a month old, it needs to be taken as often as possible, then the baby will be more obedient and affectionate.