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Rats
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The Disney hit Ratatouille has brought a rise in rat interest as pets, similar to the dalmation and nemo craze. We want to be sure people interested in rats get the proper information so that they can be responsible caretakers. Rats are a very misunderstood animal throughout history. In some countries they are only thought of as pest and disease carriers, while in others, they are thought to be spiritual and respected. Contrary to popular belief, rats as pets are meticulous cleaners, one of the most intelligent pets and are extremely social and friendly. Rats can even be potty trained! If you want a pet who can learn all kinds of tricks, live in a small apartment and not require expensive upkeep, then a rat may just be the perfect pet for you.
When choosing a rat, look for one that has been properly socialized or hand raised. By this, we mean a rat that is eager to come to your hand and enjoys being held. Even unsocialized rats can quickly become tame. A healthy rat is solid, active and alert. Keep away from rats that are bony, have pot bellies, runny eyes, nose or are sneezing. One of the downsides to owning a rat is their short lifespan. Rats with optimum care live only about 3 years. When choosing your rat, try to choose a younger rat. Males also mark territory and can smell a little more than females. You can have males neutered to reduce the marking.
Rats come in all sorts of colors ranging from solid colors of albino, black, beige, and multi-colored agouti (a mixture or brown, black and grey hair). You can also find some fancy colors of blue, siamese, himalayan, chocolate, fawn, etc. They have lots of different color patterns too. The most common is the hooded where the color covers the head, neck and shoulders.
Feeding
Your local pet store will have many varieties of rodent food that is a balanced mix made just for rodents and can be supplemented with fresh vegetables and fruit. Do not feed food not intended for rats...in the wild rats eat many things but in captivity, they need food formulated and enriched for their specific needs. Treats can include; rice, tortillas, beans, peas, corn on the cob, spinach, banana chips, uncooked pasta, cheerios, etc. Please be sure to wash all fresh food to remove any traces of insecticides. Fresh water must be available at all times and is best in a water bottle to avoid spillage and mixing with food. Feeding bowls should be cleaned regularly because rats like to sit in their food bowls and sometimes go to the bathroom. Ceramic bowls work best because of chewing and easy cleaning.
Housing
A 10 gallon aquarium with mesh top works best for housing a rat. The mesh top is important for air circulation. The larger the aquarium the better. We recommend over 20 gallons per rat. Rats are very active and like to have plenty of room to run around. We do not recommend wire cages because these can cause serious foot injuries to your rat. If you choose a wire ferret or rabbit cage, be sure to cover at least half the floor with wood to prevent foot problems. Do not use bare wire floors because a rat's foot can easily be caught in the wires. We recommend Care Fresh bedding made from recycled paper which helps keep odors to a minimum with regular cleaning. Bedding should be replaced and the cage cleaned weekly. Rats also love to build nests...you can provide shredding material and a nest box for sleeping areas. Pet stores have fun sleeping/play hammocks and edible hide boxes for your rat. Don't forget the litter box because rats can be potty trained. This also helps reduce the amount of litter changes. To clean any unwanted smells or stains, use vinegar to help with urine crystals. Never use household cleaning supplies. Soap and water work great.
Exercise
Rats love to run on a wheel for exercise. Providing a sturdy wheel for their entertainment will keep them happy. Be sure to purchase a wheel that has a solid base (no rungs or wires) to prevent your rat's foot from being caught. For your entertainment and greater freedom for your rat, you can also purchase a clear plastic ball that your rat can run in around the house. Be sure that your rat does not use the ball in direct sunlight as it can overheat and it is best not to let your mouse roam in the ball for more than 10 or 15 minutes.
Toys
Rats a very intelligent and need lots of stimulation to keep them happy. Their favorite thing to do is play and be around you. However, there are many hours in the day when they have to entertain themselves. Provide your rat with lots of chewing and activities such as toilet paper rolls for shredding, bake a bread house, chew logs, lava stones, etc. Bird toys make excellent rat toys. Look for bird toys that require some thinking to get the treat out. They also love to climb...simple paper roll tubes or longer lasting pvc pipes work well. Look for ladders in the bird or ferret isle at your pet store. Be sure your rat cannot escape when adding ladders.
Below are links to sites that have additional information on rats:
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DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this website is not intended to be a substitute for Veterinary Care. If you have any questions or problems, always consult with your Veterinarian.