I kept rats and mice for a while. Learned a lot. Don't use cedar bedding as they are allergic and will get cancer (seriously). Don't feed them anything with high citrus like oranges, they can't handle it. Feed them a mix of a high protein nut diet like they have for hamsters, and mix in cheerios and diced strawberries,carrots, celery etc. The nuts are required and the fruit/veggies are treats. Also, fill the food bowl whenever it is empty, but don't refill it if it's just been picked clean of all the tasty stuff. It's a combination food and they need to eat all of it to get the right balance. Play with they regularly. Feed them treats like cheerioes when they come to the side of the cage. Use a ten gallen aquarium with on of those wire two story topper things. They love the multi levels. Make fabric hammocks out of felt, they will love you forever. Any questions, seriously, email me at uneekefilms@yahoo.com