Got a pet question

[Kinipela]

Hey everyone out there
I'm a college student living in a dorm, where, not surprisingly I'm not allowed to have pets, but I have managed to acquire a very demanding little pet rat, who is quite insistent that she not remain in her cage if I am awake in the room. Any hints on how to curb destructive behaviour when she is in her cage? (e.g. pulling the closet curtain into the cage and chewing it to shreds)

Thanks!
Kini

[jennymae1]

Yes- have some advice...
I'm a bit of an animal enthudsiast myself- I have 2 cats, a parrot, 2 guniea pigs(one is ppregnant for the second time!!!)a bunny, 3 chinchillas, a hamster, a mouse and tons of fish...

Get your pet a good cage where it has plenty of room to move around and play. Make sure you have a wheel so it can exercise( make sure it is big enough though), and some wooden blocks to chew so that their teeth don't get overgrown. If your dorm is dark, it will want to play, as they are nocturnal. If you need him/her to sleep put a bright lamp next to its cage... Make sure you keep the cage away from drafts, venting and direct sunlight and DO NOT buy any of that "bedding" that looks like cotton as it can get in their digestive tract and kill it. Keep the cage away from any clothelike materials as there is no way to deter it from chewing. Placement of the cage is the key to that problem and making sure you have the chew blocks and toys is key also. Rats need to chew for their health. If they don't their teeth will grow forever and thats not good.

Again make sre that its cage is big enough as it is its home and needs to be comfortable and stimlated. Enjoy your rat, they make terrific, low maintenace pets!

Hope this helps,

Jenny