Rat Care

About Rats

Rats are affectionate and intelligent and animals, but they often get a bad reputation because people confuse wild rats with fancy rats. Fancy rats or are rats you keep as pets, and it is these fancy rats that are really friendly and lots of fun. After time they can learn to recognize their own names and can sometimes respond to simple commands. They are naturally inquisitive pets and will quickly bond with their owners. They need lots of space to roam, climb, race and explore as they are very inquisitive.

Contrary to the belief that rats are dirty animals, rats are in fact very clean animals, spending 40% of their time cleaning themselves per day.

Your rat will need to be handled, played with and stroked every day. Rats enjoy time out of their cage, you will need to have your home rat proof unless you give them constant supervision.

Rats live for 2-4 years, and are relatively easy to look after. A female is called a Doe, and a male is called a Buck.

Any pet is a responsibility; do you have what it takes to look after a rat? Rats need to be fed, watered, exercised and handled daily. You will need to check your rat for signs of illness or disease and take your rat to the vet if it becomes ill. Can you afford the time and money it takes to be a responsible rat owner?

Choosing your Rat

Rats come in a variety of colours, with varying markings and coat types. The most common colours of the domestic rat include Black, Mink, Champagne and Albino. The hooded pattern is quite common. The hooded pattern is when the coat is white and the face and head are coloured. While rats come in a variety of colors and types, the most important characteristics to look for are personality and good health.

Male or Female rats?

Many people wonder whether to buy a male or female rat, and if there are any differences. First of all, it is better to have two rats of the same sex, as rats are sociable animals and enjoy the company of their own kind. You can have a male female combination, but it involves having one of both of your rats neutered.

Male rats (bucks) tend to be larger and lazier. This can be ideal if you are looking for a pet that will relax on your lap or shoulder and will enjoy petting. Bucks however, are likely to scent mark, which is when they leave a tiny dab of urine to mark their territory. Males are therefore known to be smellier than females.

Female rats (does) are more active and inquisitive than males, and it takes a lot more to keep them entertained. Does are less likely to enjoy handling, and will prefer to run in side and up your jumper rather than lounge on your lap.

Young rats are all very active and inquisitive!

Buying your Rat

Buy your rats from a reputable pet shop, breeder or rescue centre. Baby rats can leave their mother from 4-6 old. It is important to check your pet is in good health before purchasing. To check if your rat is in good health, there are signs to look out for, see if the rats eyes are open and have it has dry nose. Ensure that there are no patches of baldness, or scabby patches on the rats body, that there are nor abnormal lumps, that your rat feels firm and hefty. Check your rat does not have any obvious breathing difficulties, or is making wheezing noises, this could be a sign of respiratory infection. If you do not believe the rat is in good health, look to another source to find your new pet.

Rats prefer to live in groups and are best introduced at a young age, especially males. When buying more than one rat, ensure they are around the same age and they should already be living in a community when purchased, preferably from the same litter.

A rat living on its own will long for company. Unless you can provide your rat with regular attention, its best to purchase two rats or more to keep each other company. Do keep rats in single sex pairs to avoid breeding, and try to get them from the same litter as they will get on better.

Housing

There are a variety of rat cages available. Cages suitable for Guinea pigs, Chinchillas and Rabbits should also be suitable for your rat, but ensure the cage wire is not wide enough for your rat to squeeze through. Some fish tanks and reptile aquariums are also suitable as long as there is plenty of ventilation for the air to circulate freely. Rats need lots of room, the more space the better.

Have your rats home already set up for its arrival, better still, take the home to the shop or breeder so you can put it straight in to get settled. Rats need a lot of floor space, ideally on more than one level. A fully grown rat should get about 2 cubic feet in a cage or aquarium, try to make sure each level of shelves has at least 12 inches in between. This is the suggested minimum amount of space your pet will need, if you can go larger- do so.

Where to put your Rats Cage

Rats do not like the cold, you should therefore keep the rats cage indoors. Keep the rat’s home in a warm place, out of direct sunlight and free from draughts. Keep it away from and radiators as rats are prone to heat stroke. It should be in a relatively quiet area of the house away from other pets that may be a threat to it. A rat’s hearing is extremely sensitive so he should be situated away from loud noises.

Also keep your rats cage away from curtains, cushions sofas etc… as they have a knack of pulling them into their cage and having a nibble.

Wire Cages as a Rats Home

The most common and preferred type of rat habitat is a cage. A cage with a thick plastic base and a rigid wire top is best. The wire top can be unclipped from the base making it easy to get the rat out of the cage or to clean the cage. Similar cages with two or more floor levels are also available with ladders which allow the rat to climb up and down between the different levels.

It is important to choose a cage with a deep base so the bedding not pushed out and make a mess. Chose a cage with a plastic or Perspex bottom, as wire mesh bottoms can cause your rat to get stuck, and may cause pain and infection.

Inexpensive cages do not have the quality of door to keep the rat from pushing it open and escaping. A good quality, sturdy cage will keep your rat from and escapology attempts.

Aquariums/Vivariums as a Rats Home

Large aquariums or vivariums suitable for fish and reptiles can be used to house rats, but they do not offer the wire walls for your rat to climb. If you do choose to house your rat in a house like this, be sure to provide a wheel and items to climb over and through, as rats receive much of their exercise by climbing the wires. Plastic aquariums are preferable to glass ones, as they are lighter making them easier to handle and clean. Although with aquariums you are unable to have split levels, you can still incorporate objects of interest for your pet to climb over, and be entertained. A lid will be required to prevent your rat from escaping, and the lid must be able to provide ventilation or the tank will build up with ammonia caused from the rats urine, and may cause respiratory problems. A wire mesh top is preferable to a solid lid this provides much needed ventilation, which will eliminate condensation. Make sure the lid is secure, and can not be lifted of by your rats.

Rats Bedding

Building a nest to sleep in, is an important part of rat behaviour so you should provide your rat with shredded newspaper, rags, soft hay or straw. Use newspaper to line the cage bottom. If your rat urinates a lot, try adding some cat litter to the flooring for extra absorbency, and to reduces bad odours.

Cage Hygiene

Your rats home needs to be tidied every day and given a thorough clean once a week. A good rinse with an animal safe cleaner is recommended. Everything should be thoroughly rinsed and dried before being returned to the house.

When replacing the bedding, your rat will appreciate it if a small portion of its old bedding is placed in the clean cage along with some fresh bedding, this helps your pet feel more at home and less disorientated. Cleanliness will protect your rat from infection and disease.

Exercise & Entertainment

Rats need a lot of stimulation and exercise, to help keep them physically and mentally fit.

Your rat will enjoy a selection of toys and items of interest added to its cage. You rat may enjoy a wheel to exercise in, but avoid wheels with metal rungs which feet or tails can get trapped in. Wheels can fit to the side of the cage, or free standing wheels are available for aquariums. Rats love to climb; your rat will enjoy climbing on cage bars, ladders, or clean fruit tree branches. You could also try incorporating hammocks, flower pots, balls, rope swings or cardboard tubes for extra fun and stimulation. You will soon work out what your pet likes and dislikes.

Rats will chew on anything, its in their nature! Wires, curtains, books, and furniture- you name it, nothing is safe, which is why it is important to supervise your rat when its at play out side of its cage.

Food – What to feed my rat?

Rats require a balanced diet or mixed grains, washed fruit and vegetables. You can also give them seeds, nuts and small pieces of cooked meat. Rats are omnivorous which means they eat meat as well as plant material. If you give your rat dry mix, only provide a mix that has been designed specifically for rats, food for hamsters or gerbils is unsuitable as these animals have different dietary requirements.

Rats, like humans don’t always want to eat what they should, and can happily gorge themselves on high fat and sugary foods. It is important to provide a balanced mix of foods for your rat, and do not over feed it, as obesity puts pressure on their internal organs and can affect their health and shorten their life span. Rats eat approximately 8g of food per 100g bodyweight per day, so allow accordingly.

Rats will eat a mostly vegetarian diet with some animal protein. A tasty treat for a rat could be fresh fruit and vegetables.

Rats need fresh water everyday; this is best provided by using a water bottle attached the side of the cage or hung from the side of an aquarium. Attached at a height the rat can comfortably reach. Bottles should be cleaned with a bottlebrush regularly to prevent the build up of algae, which is harmful to your pet’s digestive system. Bottles and tops can be sterilized in baby bottle sterilizing solution every so often for extra cleanliness.

Rat Handling

Rats make great pets for adults and responsible, kind children. Because rats are so small, children under age 8 should interact with rats under adult supervision to insure proper handling.

Once your rat has settled in, offer your rat a tasty treat to get it familiar from your hand to help build up its confidence. Get your pet used to your hand before you pick it up straight from the cage. Start by stroking its body, not its head. Once your pet is happy scoop it up with both hands, keep it close to your chest, and be firm but gentle. It is advisable to be sat down while handling your pet, this way if it does fall it has not got far to land.

When you are comfortable with each other, let your rat investigate you further. Keeping it facing you let him wander from one hand to another. The time it takes to tame your rat may vary, be patient. Never squeeze your rat or hold it by the tail.

It is recommended that you allow at least 30minutes a day to handle your rat. You will soon find that your rat will prefer running on you and up your jumper, rather than being actually held by you.

Rat Health

To help prevent your rat becoming sick, ensure your rat is in a clean environment. Use dust extracted bedding to prevent eye irritations.

Rats are susceptible to tumors, often occurring in later life. If you notice any lumps or concerning changes to your rat, consult vetinary advice.

Symptoms of poor health include breathing problems, lack of coordination, increased thirst, feet sores, hair loss or bald patches, lumps, excess scratching, sudden weight loss, if your rat presents any of these symptoms consult your vet for advice.