Rat Mouse — life stage (owner-practical care, Merck Veterinary Manual pet-owner)

Source: first-hand Merck Veterinary Manual pet-owner text, saved to source_file; every claim below is a C1 byte-substring of it.

The cage floor should be solid; wire mesh or grid flooring can damage rats' feet and legs.
These allow you to hang the bottle inside the cage.
Fatty treats should be avoided because older rats are prone to obesity.
Food should be available at all times; however, any uneaten food should be removed from the cage before fresh food is provided (at least once daily).
Fresh water should always be available from a water bottle mounted on or hung in the cage.
The cage should be large enough to accommodate some of these cage toys and allow comfortable movement around them.
Boschert , DVM, DACLAM , Washington University Last updated: Sept 2024 v3229967 Housing | Diet | Exercise | Temperament | For More Information | Your pet rat will need a suitable cage, a balanced diet, and the opportunity for exercise and socialization with you in order to remain in good health.
In general, a cage should have good ventilation, be easy to clean, and be escape proof.
If wire shelves are used in the cage for the animals to climb on, they should be made of wire with openings no wider than ½ by ½ inch.
Holders with chew guards for the water bottle are available.
Avoid allowing a buildup of ammonia (due to urine), which is produced when cage litter is not changed frequently enough.
They appreciate being in a group and will often spend large amounts of time grooming themselves or fellow cage mates.

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Source: pdf-raw/owner-care/merck_rat_mouse.txt · https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets

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