Things You'll Need:
- Rattery
- or a good pet store
- Cage
- Bedding
- Food dishes
- Water bottles
- Toys
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Step 1
Make sure to have all your supplies first. You will need a large enough cage to house at least two rats. They need a lot of room for playing and a separate area for their bathroom. Rats drink from water bottles like those you would use for hamsters or rabbits and they will eat from food bowls or hoppers attached to the side of the cage. Make sure your cage has adequate ventilation - rats don't do as well in aquariums - even with a mesh top. Choose wire cages with solid floors when possible. A good quality wire cage can always be adapted to work better - if the floors are wire, you can always cover them with something.
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Step 2
Get good quality bedding. Many types of bedding are not good for rats because they can cause respiratory issues and it is more frugal to spend the extra money on the bedding and save money on vet bills. I personally like corncob bedding because you can use a kitty litter scoop to clean out messes on a daily basis and then you don't have to dump out all the litter so quickly, thus saving even more money. Corn cob is cheap and is heavy enough that when your ratties are playing it doesn't get thrown out as easily. I also use shredded paper for my rats to make their own nests, and pieces of clothes that are stained or no longer fit.
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Step 3
When you have all of your supplies you are then ready to pick out your new pets. It is always best to have at least 2 rats - they are super social and if they get lonely they sometimes will act out or get depressed. Rats help each other by bathing each other, cuddling, and when they are older one may help the other get food or get around the cage, etc. They will also play together and have fun running around the cage.
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Step 4
Look for a reputable breeder as a first choice - the rats will cost more (around $20)but will often come with a detailed family history and a copy of the pedigree. If you can't find a rattery, check around for a good pet store. A good quality pet store will sell their rats as pets only and not as feeder. Feeder rats can be unsocial and therefore difficult to tame. They have usually not been treated well and are usually inbreed many times producing a host of genetic issues and diseases.
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Step 5
When you finally get to see the babies, allow them to sniff your hand first - kind of like a dog. If the pups have been well socialized they should approach you and want interaction. Allow the pups to approach you, most people allow the rat to choose them. Female rats tend to be higher strung - they like to run and play and are always up for something new. Male rats are more laid back and are more content to cuddle and snuggle. They also get much heavier and larger overall. Males will also have coarser fur as they age, where females will stay soft for most of their life.
Comments
diggitydogg said
on 12/2/2008 Excellent information for someone thinking about getting a rat. You cover all the bases, plus you dispel some of the myths. Definitely a 5 star article.
freelancechick said
on 11/7/2008 Pet rats are fun! My daughter's class has two and babies. But my cats would eat them if I brought any home...you should see how they watch the chipmunk that lives under the front porch!
freelancechick said
on 11/7/2008 Pet rats are fun! My daughter's class has two and babies. But my cats would eat them if I brought any home...you should see how they watch the chipmunk that lives under the front porch!
Ballzy said
on 11/6/2008 Great Article! 5*