Things You'll Need:
- Cage
- Suitable bedding/litter
- Food
- Lots of toys/hammocks/tubes etc
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Step 1
The best place to get pet rats from is a reputable breeder (contact the Rat and Mouse Club of America (USA) or the National Fancy Rat Club (UK)). Rats can also be bought from pet shops, although pet shop rats can suffer from ill health and won’t be as tame when you get them. Sometimes pet shops incorrectly sex rats, which means males and females are living together, so there is a chance female rats bought from a pet shop might be pregnant. The other place to get rats is a rescue centre. This isn’t always the best option for new rat owners as rescue rats can require an experienced owner. However rescue centres may sometimes have litters of baby rats which will be well handled from a young age, and therefore suitable for new owners.
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Step 2
Rats must be kept in a minimum of a pair. They are highly sociable animals, and however much attention you give them this is no substitute for the company of other rats. Rats should be kept with other rats of the same gender. Males tend to be larger and lazier, whilst females are smaller and more active, both make great pets.
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Step 3
Rats should be fed a good quality rat mix supplemented by fresh food. Hamster or rabbit mix is not suitable for rats as they have different nutritional requirements. Rats enjoy a varied diet.
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Step 4
Rats enjoy living in a large cage- the bigger the better! Wire cages are most suitable as rats enjoy climbing. You should allow at least 2 cubic feet per rat. Contrary to popular belief, wood shavings/sawdust are not suitable bedding for rats, as it can lead to respiratory problems. Paper based cat litters, newspaper, old towels, cardboard based bedding, or hardwood shavings (aspen rather than pine or cedar) are suitable bedding for rats.
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Step 5
The cage needs to be filled with lots of toys, hammocks, hideaways, tubes, etc, to keep them entertained. Toys don’t have to be expensive- a cheap box of tissues will provide them with hours of fun! Rats don’t enjoy wheels like hamsters do, so a wheel is normally a waste of money. In fact, a wire wheel can be dangerous for rats as their tails or feel can get trapped.
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Step 6
Rats like to be handled every day. They are very friendly, and enjoy running around the sofa while you’re watching TV, or riding on your shoulder.
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Step 7
If you are ever concerned about your rat's health, consult a vet.
Comments
willowpelt said
on 11/8/2009 ya, rats do like wheels, its good for exersize,so they dont have to run all over the house, and its good to releve stress. but if you get a wheel, get one a little bigger then your rat so hey dont hurt their backs, and get a full one instead of wire. if you get wire wheel it might cause Bummble foot AND their feet and tail can get caught in the gaps
moonchild1989 said
on 9/13/2009 I can easily contradict step 5. It is so untrue that pet rats don't like wheels. They do. My ratties Izzy, Shelly, Girly, Lieutenant, and Colonel all love the wheel we have in their cage. They can't get enough of it! Especially Shelly! You might want to do a bit more research on favored toys before assuming all rats are alike in that matter. Another thing too about wheels it, 99% of them don't drag their tail while on them, they usually lift it up and towards them so they they don't get caught. Wheels are a great form of exercise, and are not as dangerous as many purvey them to be.
melissaf said
on 5/17/2008 I purchaced a rat from a pet store and I don't no what I am doing I feel like I screwed up and can't handle her I am despereate for info.
sillybaka said
on 3/13/2007 A great site for info on rats is ratfanclub.org it's run by Debbie "the rat lady". You can get her book RATS through the site, her rat health booklet (she update it every year or so) and tons of info. She is an expert on rats, and i know that some of my rats lived a lot longer than they would have without her help. kryslyn