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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Foreword 1
  • Acknowledgements 5
  • Table of Contents 7
  • Chapter 1 – Rats, Mice, and Dormice 13
  • What are Rats? 14
  • Roof Rats 14
  • Norway 14
  • Domesticated Rats 15
  • What are Mice? 17
  • Common House Mouse 17
  • Feeder Mice 18
  • Fancy Mice 18
  • Laboratory Mice 19
  • Wild Mice 19
  • What Are Dormice? 19
  • History of the Rodent Fancy 20
  • Rats, Mice, and Dormice as Pets 23
  • Discussing Life Span 25
  • Allergies 26
  • With Children 26
  • With Other Pets 27
  • Pros and Cons of Rodents as Pets 28
  • Chapter 2 – The World of the Rodent Fancy 31
  • Body Types 32
  • Coat Varieties 32
  • Coats Common to Rats and Mice 33
  • Specific Mice Coats 34
  • Specific Rat Coats 35
  • Recognized Mouse Colors 36
  • Recognized Mouse Color Patterns 39
  • Recognized Mouse Markings 41
  • Recognized Rat Colors 43
  • Provisional Colors 45
  • Recognized Rat Markings 46
  • Standardized Rat Color Patterns 50
  • New Varieties – January 2014 52
  • Chapter 3 – Buying Rats, Mice, and Dormice 55
  • Sources for Rats and Mice 55
  • Picking a Healthy Rat 56
  • Picking a Healthy Mouse 57
  • Picking a Healthy Dormouse 58
  • Recommended Purchase Age 58
  • One or Two? 58
  • Determining Gender 59
  • Bringing Your New Pets Home 60
  • Chapter 4 – Daily Care 63
  • Mice: Selecting a Habitat 63
  • An Aquarium with a “Topper” 63
  • Wire Cages 64
  • Habitrails 64
  • Travel Carrier 65
  • Rats: Extra Habitat Considerations 66
  • Dormice: Extra Habitat Considerations 68
  • Considering Custom Cages 70
  • Observations on Cage Placement 70
  • Temperature Considerations 71
  • Choosing a Substrate and Bedding 72
  • Nest Boxes 73
  • Cage Maintenance 74
  • The Matter of Escapes 75
  • Diet and Nutrition 77
  • Feeding Your Mouse 77
  • Feeding Your Rat 80
  • Feeding Your Dormouse 81
  • Hydration 82
  • Toys and Intellectual Stimulation 82
  • Bathing 83
  • Training Your Pets 84
  • Chapter 5 – Health and Breeding 87
  • Observe Your Pets Carefully 88
  • Understanding Prophyrin 89
  • Common Illnesses and Health Problems 89
  • Respiratory Infections 90
  • Growths, Lumps, and Tumors 91
  • Excessive Scratching 92
  • Diarrhea 93
  • Bumblefoot 93
  • Ringworm 94
  • Swelling of the Abdomen 94
  • Old Age 94
  • Zoonotic Diseases 95
  • Spaying and Neutering 96
  • Breeding Companion Rodents 96
  • Fertility in Females 97
  • Should You Breed Rats, Mice, and Dormice? 98
  • Chapter 6 – An Overview of Rodent Shows 99
  • Rodent Show Basics 99
  • American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association 99
  • Recognized AFRMA 100
  • Overall Characteristics of Show Mice 102
  • Recognized AFRMA 102
  • Overall Characteristics of Show Rats 103
  • The National Mouse Club 104
  • The National Fancy Rat Society 104
  • Chapter 7 – Frequently Asked Questions 107
  • Chapter 8 – Breeder Directories 115
  • Rat Breeders – US 115
  • Rat Breeders – UK 119
  • South East England 119
  • South West England 124
  • East of England 126
  • Midlands 129
  • North of England 133
  • Scotland 138
  • Ireland 139
  • Mainland Europe 139
  • Mouse Breeders – US 141
  • Mouse Breeders – UK 143
  • Dormice Breeders 143
  • Afterword 145
  • Relevant Websites 147
  • Glossary 149
  • Index 153

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