Choosing a Pet Rodent

The most important factor in choosing a pet guinea pig, mouse or rat is to pick one that has been weaned from its mother and looks healthy.

How do I pick a pet that is healthy?

Most pet rodents are bought through a pet store, or you can find a breeder to purchase a particular breed from, such as with Guinea pigs. Have a good look around the pen or cage first and choose an animal that is active, runs about easily, and has quiet and even breathing.

Choose a pet that has been weaned from its mother and looks bright and healthy. There should be no discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth. The teeth should look clean and straight, not overgrown or broken.

A healthy pet rodent should not be coughing, wheezing or sneezing and there should be no staining at the rear, which could indicate diarrhoea.

How can I tell if it is male or female?

It may be difficult to determine the sex of young rodents. With a guinea pig lying on its back in the palm of your hand, placing gentle pressure either side of the genital opening can protrude the penis of the male. Males also have a greater distance between their genital opening and anal opening than females.

Sexing mice can be more difficult when they are young. The genital opening and the anal opening are further apart in males than in females. The scrotum in the male is retracted inside the abdomen but females have obvious nipples.

Male rats have obvious testicles at birth.

- Last updated 16 November 2012