How could my 2 rats have gotten mites?

Question

I don't take them outside and we don't have any other animals. I was wondering if anyone has had problems with Kaytee rat food being the culprit of mites or Carefresh bedding maybe having mites in them. I used the spray my vet suggested I get and have used it on them twice. So far the mites are gone but I don't know how they got them in the first place.

Answer 1

Don't blame Kaytee or Carefresh.  It's possible that's how the they got mites, but it happened in the warehouses it was in, or even in the retail store where you bought it.

Wild rats/mice will be attracted to it, just like pets are.  The mites drop off the wild ones and hitch a ride into your pet's cages.

Another possibility is a wild rat in your house.  Usually, you'd notice pretty quick, but it's possible it was super sneeky and managed to invade without you knowing.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Always freeze bedding for a day or two when you buy it, before you use it.  

Answer 3

I don't know much about mites. But, I work at a second hand store and we have a lot of problems with people coming in saying they bought a couch or chair and now their pets have fleas.

Maybe you bought some furniture or something and caught them that way...if that's possible.

Shawneen<3  

Answer 4

there are many possibilities. one of my rats did get mites from the Carefresh bedding, but thats because i borrowed some from a friend who didn't have the cleanest house. Sometimes, if you have an attic or basement, wild rats could have gotten them into your house. the could have traveled in the carpet to your rats. Mites are easy to get rid of. your vet can give you a cheap medication called Ivermectin that will get rid of them in 1 to 2 weeks. Good luck!

Answer 5

I agree with Sandy Y. When I used to breed with mice and rats, old bedding was the culprit where mites are concerned. Very fine bedding like sawdust can also cause this problem, but more often than not it is old, soggy bedding with bits of food. I then started cleaning the cage more often and washing it with an antiseptic type soap. Just make sure to thoroughly rinse and dry the cage if you do.

Answer 6

Mites are attracted to many things other than pet fur. Wood, wood chips, cloth, and cotton are big attractions for mites. If you've got wood in your house, which I am assuming you do, that could be the culprit, sometimes mites are attracted to pet food, so if you leave it out long enough without rinsing clean with soap, that could also bring mites. The best way to prevent them once they've manifested the rat cage is to continue using the spray you have. Take everything out of the cage and clean it thoroughly with antibacterial soap, if you suspect that the bedding was the culprit, you can place bedding in the freezer after you buy it. The cold will kill any mites, but remember to take the bedding out of the freezer 24 hours before you put it in their cage. From now on, just clean the cage more frequently and do not leave food or food bowls filled with food lying around the cage for too long. Hope I helped you, and goodluck!