The first two reasons, species and genetics are beyond your control. As a breeder, I do my best to select the best health & genetics to continue the species. By choosing a breeder over a mill bred or back yard bred animal, you are promoting a healthier version of the species you love.
Feeding them a healthy diet and providing appropriate fresh foods.
Encouraging them to exercise by accommodating their living space with a wheel and play time.
Giving them a nice, clean environment by cleaning often and providing access to fresh water.
Looking out for signs of illness and treating any problems quickly and effectively; having an exotics vet available for care. Handling daily and looking over your pet for anything out of the ordinary, getting help as soon as possible for your pet when they are sick or injured ensures a faster recovery time for your pet. If you use wood based bedding, check your pet for mites & lice regularly.
Generally taking good care of them and keeping them healthy and happy. Do your research on the pet your interested in prior to purchase is the #1 thing you can do to help your pet have the best life possible in your care.
I do my best to provide lifetime support for you and your pets that come from Moonshadow. I provide my cell phone number along with each purchase in case of emergency contact. Buyer’s are also more than welcome to contact me privately at any time for any questions or concerns. I want the best possibly life for your pet(s) and do everything I can to ensure that.
BEFORE you bring new rats home, make sure you have their new home ready.
Feeding and Watering:
I feed my rats Envigo lab block. Most of my adopter's usually use Mazuri, Harland Tekland or Oxbow as their lab block base. They can transition easily usually to Mazuri or Oxbow.
My rats do well on either Mazuri. Mazuri 6F is what I used to specifically feed, you can get 50lbs for $25 at a feed store that sells purina products, or Harland Tekland (Now Envigo which is a little bit more difficult to get a hold of.)
Special Note: A majority of my rats that go to pet homes do not seem to do well or enjoy Oxbow, but some do not seem to hold condition as well as on the other blocks.
You can also feed a variety of fresh fruits and veggies, mine love Kale, sweet potato and canned oysters as treats. Chicken bones, things like that they go nuts for. I also use high quality dog food without dyes (in the process of switching brands right now) and black oil sunflower seeds to keep their coats shiny. Vegetables and fruits not eaten within 24 hours should be discarded.
I rarely will ever feed my rats things like pastas simply because they are already on a good enough diet, I consider things like pasta and sugary fruits to be a treat. Babies are introduced to a variety of fresh foods before they leave my home and often go crazy over the fresh food items. It's different mix of foods that I expose babies to every time, but in the past: sweet potato, kale, spinach, oysters, steak, chicken, barley, oats, millet, salmon, cucumber, apples, blueberries, etc. Part of my evaluations is to see how the baby takes food from me so I know if they are more suitable in an adult home only or home with kids if they are more gentle.
Kiln dried pine is 100% fine, you can get a bale of flaked from Tractor Supply or you can use Aspen if you prefer. If you use wood-based beddings I would recommend picking up Ivermectin (Sheep Drench) and giving them a drop between the shoulder blades once every 2 months and sprinkling food grade damacous earth over the wood bedding.
Critter nations with the 1/2" bar spacing are popular and I often recommend them, you can also find Pointer Hill Pet Products on Facebook and have a custom cage built. I have a couple custom cages built from them and they have great customer service. Some people build bin cages but I don't particularly care for them for my set-up. If you decide to buy from Pointer Hill, mention that you are getting Moonshadow Rats or from Amber Stark! https://www.pointerhillcagesandpetsupplies.com/
Health & Veterinary Care (adding more information soon!)
Since rats have the tenancy to be prone to respiratory infections, a good, RAT knowledgeable vet is essential. I will not approve you if you do not have a rat-knowledgeable vet available you. This is not fair to the animal not to have proper care readily available should they need it. If you are nearby these two vets, I highly recommend either of them. I go to both vets as needed and they are experts in rat care. If you need help finding a veterinarian nearby you, contact me and I'm more than happy to help you find someone!
Our Veterinarians are Dr. Randon Feinsod of Ani-Care Animal Hospital in Dallastown, York County, PA and Dr. Broskevich of Mountain Shadow Veterinary Hospital in Schuylkill Haven, PA. I would recommend either vet for treating exotics.
We are currently looking for a new exotics vet in our current location.