Dumbo Rat: Care and Maintenance at Home

The Dumbo rat has a distinctive feature: large, rounded ears, which give it a special charm. But rat lovers love it for more than just its striking appearance—the Disney elephant's namesake has other virtues as well. However, Dumbo isn't exactly an ideal pet, so before buying a rat, you should learn about its care requirements.

Description of the breed

Rounded ears are the main distinguishing feature of Dumbo rats.

New rat keepers need to understand one thing: all names for fancy rats (Dumbo, Rex, Sphynx, etc.) refer to variations of the same breed—Rattus Norwegicus dom (fancy rat). A single litter can contain pups of different variations.

The breed is determined by the animal's body structure, appearance, and coat quality. Dumbo rats can exhibit characteristics of other breeds and be called Dumbo Rex, Dumbo Sphynx, or Dumbo Husky.

The dumbo rat has a pear-shaped body, reaching a maximum length of 20 cm, with short, dense fur. The ears of these rats are positioned lower than those of their relatives.

Dumbo rat personality

If you get two Dumbo rats, they will never be bored.

It's important to understand that Dumbo is simply a distinguishing feature of a pet rat, and has no impact on its intelligence or level of intellectual development. However, animals can inherit the personality traits and behavioral characteristics of their parents. Therefore, Dumbo rats have several characteristic traits:

• the ability to guess the owner's mood;
• intelligence;
• slightly less active than other varieties of fancy rats.

Dumbo owners note their trainability. However, a pet's character and upbringing generally depend on how much attention the owner devotes to it. Where the rat was purchased is also important. If it has been kept in a cage with other rats at a pet store for more than six months, taming it will be more difficult. However, with affection and care, this intelligent pet will become completely tame.

Dumbo are friendly and intelligent animals. Experienced rat breeders advise buying two rats of the same sex at once.The point is that if a pet is alone, it needs at least two hours of attention a day. Otherwise, Dumbo will get bored and may refuse food. Since it's not always possible to spend that much time with your pet, it's best to get him a companion. This way, you can be sure of the pet's well-being.

The Pros and Cons of Keeping a Dumbo as a Pet

Keeping a Dumbo rat at home does not require much expense.

A pet rat is one of those pets that doesn't require a lot of maintenance. Rats are curious and eager to chew everything. They also require constant attention, as they can fall and injure themselves.

What makes these animals attractive is their highly developed intellectual abilities and lack of aggression towards humans and other animals.

The advantages of choosing a Dumbo rat as a pet include:

• animal cleanliness;
• omnivorousness;
• low maintenance costs;
• ease of care.

But there are also disadvantages:

• the ability of an animal to leave marks wherever it is;
• tendency to chew on any objects;
• expensive treatment;
• People with a keen sense of smell notice a specific odor that comes from domestic rats;
• To ensure your pet's well-being, you need to devote a lot of time to it;
• walking is required;
• relatively short lifespan.

Care and maintenance of a Dumbo rat at home

Since the rat is a rodent, it is kept in a metal cage, the bars of which the animal cannot damage..

A cage is the optimal home for a Dumbo rat.

Some owners consider using an aquarium as a rat house acceptable. However, this method of keeping rats has more disadvantages than advantages:

• poor ventilation of the glass container, due to which an unpleasant smell will quickly appear in the house;
• more complex cleaning;
• the need for more frequent disinfection;
• The top of the aquarium should be left slightly open to allow air to enter. However, there's a risk that the pet will escape, as rats are intelligent and can jump up to half a meter.

The home of a decorative rat has its own requirements:

• it should be installed in a place protected from drafts and direct sunlight;
• the room temperature should not fall below +18–20°C, otherwise the animal may get sick;
• the optimal cage size for 1–2 pets is 60x40x30 cm;
• It is desirable that the house be two-story, with space for entertainment and sleeping;
• The cage must not be placed near heat sources (radiators and heaters).

What to feed

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Rats are omnivores, but each animal may have its own food preferences, which are hard for a loving owner to ignore. A rodent's diet should definitely include grains:

• wheat;
• rye;
• oats;
• soybeans.

To maintain good health, in addition to plant-based protein, animal protein is essential. It is found in all types of meat, ground meat, fish, seafood, and butter. Milk and fermented milk products are also beneficial. It is recommended to consume the following in limited quantities:

• fresh herbs;
• radish;
• fresh cabbage;
• zucchini and eggplant.

Dried fruits, sugar, candy, and any kind of cheese are treats for pet rats. However, it's best to avoid citrus fruits and pineapples.

If a pet rat is given improper nutrition, it may exhibit a developmental abnormality such as excessive tooth growth - this indicates that the diet is dominated by soft food, while the rodent needs to regularly grind its teeth on hard surfaces..

Hygiene and bathing

If your pet refuses to go into the bath, wipe the stubborn one with a damp cloth.

Pet rats are clean animals and regularly groom themselves. However, they are kept in a constantly dirty environment, where food scraps and waste products are always present.

Therefore, the owner must follow several rules of hygiene for the rat's home:

1. It's best to use dry pellets or coarse sawdust as bedding. Smaller pellets can get into the pet's eyes and cause allergies.
2. Don't line the cage with newspaper. When wet, it begins to release harmful substances contained in printing inks. This poses a risk of poisoning the animal.
3. The cage is cleaned every 2-3 days.
4. Every two weeks, all toys and other elements of the house are treated with a disinfectant.

If a rat resists bathing, do not force the animal into the water - this can lead to a loss of trust in the owner.Such stubborn ones can be periodically wiped with a damp cloth.

Video: Dumbo's Bath

Diseases and treatment

Dumbo should be taken to the vet at the first sign of illness.

It's hard to miss a pet's ailment. A healthy rat has a shiny coat, clear eyes, and is playful and active. If any health issues are noticed, consult a veterinarian immediately.

The most common diseases of decorative rats:

1. Mycoplasmosis. Infection occurs through the air and progresses to pneumonia. It is fatal.
2. Abscesses. Associated with trauma to the animal. Incision and disinfection of the affected area are required.
3. Development of benign and malignant tumors.
4. Parasitic infestations. Rats are not dewormed. Treatment is only given if the disease is detected.

Vaccination

Pet rats do not require vaccinations. No medications have been developed to prevent the development of diseases in these animals.

Selecting and accessorizing your pet

The animal's cage must contain several elements:

• drinking bowl;
• feeder;
• nest (sleeping place);
• a mineral stone on which the animal will grind down its teeth.

To keep the animal entertained, toys are placed in the house. Rats especially enjoy hammocks. You can make one from a piece of durable fabric or buy one ready-made at a pet store. The most preferred toys are:

• ladders, including rope ladders;
• tunnels;
• labyrinths.

Breeding dumbo rats

Breeding Dumbo rats is a simple process.

There is nothing difficult in breeding dumbo rats. These animals reproduce quickly and do not experience problems in bearing and giving birth to offspring..

How to determine gender

Males can be distinguished from females by their enlarged testicles, which are clearly visible by 2–3 weeks of age. Female fancy rats also show signs of nipple budding during this period.

Knitting

Sexual maturity occurs early, at 5-6 weeks of age. However, mating is recommended for individuals between 8 and 10 weeks of age. To obtain offspring, simply leave the male and female in the same cage for a couple of days. However, it's important to understand that fertilization is only possible if the female is in heat, which occurs regularly, every 4-7 days.

Pregnancy

From fertilization to birth, no more than 23 days pass. On average, labor occurs between 21 and 23 days. A female's pregnancy becomes noticeable starting in the second week after fertilization. The animal's build plays a significant role in the appearance of the first signs. If the female is thin, a rounded belly will be noticeable sooner than in a plump, large rat.

A litter can contain between 8 and 15 rats. During pregnancy, the female rat requires enhanced and nutritious nutrition. Bloody discharge and the female's desire to seek solitude will indicate the approaching birth.The dumbo rat often begins preparing a nest for herself, cleaning and decorating it. The birth process lasts no more than three hours.

How to care for newborn rats

The female Dumbo cares well for her offspring. During this period, the owner should follow a few rules:

• do not handle baby rats;
• take care of the cleanliness of the cage;
• provide the mother with good nutrition.

The rats can be picked up after they are 14–15 days old.

Training and playing with your pet

Dumbos are very trainable.

Dumbo rats are quite docile and easy to train.They love to play with soft and hard balls, eagerly explore mazes, and run around their owner's hands. Many pets enjoy climbing onto shoulders and observing everything going on from there.

If you want to teach your rat various tricks, you need to remember a few rules for training these rodents:

1. The optimal duration of classes is 20–30 minutes.
2. The animal's last meal is 8-10 hours before the lesson. This way, it will be more willing to perform the owner's instructions, expecting to receive food in return.
3. It's essential to ensure the animal fully understands what's required of it. Only then can other tricks be taught.

What can you teach a dumbo rat:

• find one item out of several;
• get pieces of paper and beads hidden in a matchbox;
• stand on its hind legs on command from the owner.

How long do Dumbo rats live in captivity?

The lifespan of a Dumbo rat depends largely on how comfortable its living conditions are. On average, pets live 2–3 years.

What to name the animal

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

It's best to choose names for your pet that highlight their individuality. To find the right one, consult the recommendations of experienced rat breeders.

1. Don't rush into giving your Dumbo rat the first name you like. Take a closer look at your pet, observe it, and note its characteristic behavioral traits.
2. Every pet is special to its owner and deserves a special name. Therefore, don't settle for generic rat names; instead, choose something unique.
3. If you have several animals, you can give them names from the same category. For example, names of planets would work.
4. Clues for choosing a name can be found in fairy tales, cartoons, or children's rhymes.

It's important to choose a name that can be changed to a diminutive. This is what the owner will most often call their adorable pet with large ears.

The Dumbo rat is one of the best pets. Interacting with him is always interesting and brings a lot of positive emotions. Caring for him is easy, and feeding him is inexpensive.