The Hydration Of Rodents
The good hydration of rodents is a point that all pet owners should not neglect. Rodents make excellent pets for children as long as they are properly cared for. They rarely bite when handled with care.
Some of these animals are shy and socialize only with people in their immediate surroundings. However, it is fun to see how they behave in the den or while foraging for food and playing.
Through its behavior, it is possible to determine how healthy the animal is. Thus, providing the balanced food intake and the necessary hydration will result in a happy rodent.
rodent diet
As with any other pet, it is necessary to always provide good quality food and clean, fresh water. In nature, these animals feed on leaves, seeds, roots, fruits and insects.
Typical maintenance diets contain approximately 14% protein and 4% to 5% fat, while growth and reproduction diets contain 17% to 19% protein and 7% to 11% fat. It is advisable to consult your veterinarian about which foods are most beneficial for your particular rodent.
The animal’s appetite must be closely monitored. Many factors affect rodents’ food intake, including ambient temperature, humidity, food quality, reproductive status and animal health.
On average, an adult rodent consumes approximately 15 grams of food and 15 milliliters of water for every 100 grams of body weight, daily. Inadequate water consumption leads to dehydration, lower body weight, infertility and death.
Rodents drink only a fraction of the total volume of the bottle that dispenses vital liquid, but the bottle must be emptied, cleaned and refilled with fresh water daily. This prevents the water from becoming contaminated and eventually becoming a source of bacteria that will affect the animal’s health.
The hydration of rodents
If we want our pet to stay healthy, we must take care of its food and also keep it well hydrated. One of the main symptoms of lack of hydration in rodents is lethargy. It is also possible to observe lack of appetite, sunken eyes, sticky gums and constipation.
Rodents do not vomit, but may have episodes of severe diarrhea combined with difficulty in defecating. To diagnose dehydration in your rodent, your veterinarian will rely on a history of anorexia, vomiting, and additional fluid loss, along with a physical exam.
Good hydration of rodents may be the most important medical therapy given to sick animals, although it is unlikely that a rodent will want to drink water while it is sick. Therefore, it is vital to maintain healthy habits for the hydration of the rodents under your care.
Dehydrated pets cannot fight disease effectively, do not eat well, and cannot efficiently metabolize nutrients. The hydration of rodents favors good circulation in organs such as the liver and kidneys. If there is dehydration, these organs cannot perform vital functions such as detoxification or waste disposal.
Monitor the proper hydration of rodents
There are several illnesses that can cause dehydration in your pet, but the most frequent cause is diarrhea. This is a common problem that often occurs because of stress. However, we should not rule out infections or digestive problems caused by foods in bad condition or with low nutritional content.
A rodent’s lack of hydration can cause death within hours, so be careful. Diarrhea can easily resolve on its own. However, it is important to monitor the rodent closely and use an eyedropper to force it to drink water. If symptoms persist for more than two days, take him to the vet for examination.
Keep your rodent in the cleanest conditions possible and with the comfort it needs and deserves. Always make sure there is enough fresh food and water. Also, make sure he gets enough exercise and rest daily to allow him to maintain good health.
