rat care

When you get your pet rat home, give it some time to settle in to its new cage and surroundings before playing with it (at least 24 hours). Start in a small, uncluttered room just in case it gets away from you.

Health: Rats should not be sneezing, wheezing, coughing, lethargic, or generally sick looking.

Male or Female: “Males are Mellow, Girls are Fun”. Males tend to get larger than females. Males make better “lap” pets. Males at times “scent mark” their territories. Females are very curious, more active and love to explore and play games. Females sometimes develop mammary tumors.

One Rat or Two: Rats are sociable animals. Consider getting a same sex pair of siblings. Rats introduced later may not get along. A male and female pair can produce up to 14 babies every month.

Color: Rats come in a variety of colors, markings and coat types. There are even curly haired, tailless, and hairless rats. Eyes can be red or black.

Housing: The bottom of the cage should have a layer of shavings, sawdust or a paper or wheat based unscented cat litter but do not use clay based litter. You must cover any wire mesh your rat will walk on with some type of flooring. Wire floors will irritate and damage a rat’s feet. Provide a sleeping box. Ideally, place the cage where you and your family can enjoy your new pet, but not in direct sunlight and away from drafts. Change the cage often (at least weekly).

Food: Rat mix, offer fruit and veggies on a regular basis. Healthy people food, dog crackers and even chicken bones are OK on occasion. They love a little bit of tuna and rice, almonds and frozen grapes (in the summer). Water provided in a hanging small animal water bottle must be changed daily. Press on the metal ball on end of bottle to make sure it is working properly. Do not feed your rat fruit loops or other sugary foods except as a very occasional treat.

Rats and Other Pets: Rats generally do not get along with mice, birds, guinea pigs, cats or dogs or other rats (unless they have grown up with them).

Favorite Rat Activities: Spending time with their owners, being petted, sleeping, eating, and being curious. Rats enjoy free roaming time outside their cages. Supervision and rat proofing the area is a good idea.

Toys: Rat wheels, ropes, ladders, multi-levels, hammocks, tubes and small cat balls are popular.