Caring for your pet > Rats

Caring for Rats

Rats

Facts

  • Life Span: 2-4 years
  • Average Weight: 1-2 pounds
  • Female: Doe
  • Male: Buck
  • Young: Pups
  • Diet: Omnivorous

Rats 101

Although rats have been given a bad reputation, pet rats are completely different from their wild relatives. They are curious, friendly, smart and fun. They’ll ride on your shoulders, nap in your lap and love to snuggle. And rats can be great pets for kids since they are fairly easy to care for.

Rats are very social animals and get lonely and unhappy without a cage mate, so get a pair. Two boys or two girls from the same litter will work best together.

Rats would much prefer to be indoors with their caretakers, but they can also live in a warm outhouse or shed. Remember, however, that you must visit and play with them every day to keep them happy and healthy.

Environment

Because they enjoy climbing, rats do best in wire cages. A cage that is 2’ x 2’ x 2’ or larger is recommended for a pair of rats, especially if it has multiple levels. The floor should be solid, with animal-safe CareFRESH bedding. Do not use pine or cedar shavings. Aromatic oils in pine and cedar bedding have been shown to have adverse health effects on small pets.

Rats love to hide, so your cage should include small boxes or flowerpots as well as PVC tubes for them to run through. Rats also climb on tree branches, play with toys and run on an exercise wheel. Make sure the wheel has a solid surface without wire rungs so their tails won’t get caught.

A room kept at 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit should be comfortable for your rat. Make sure the cage is easily accessible for clean-up. And put the cage in a place where your rat can interact with lots of people.

Diet

Rats require a diet low in protein and fat, and high in carbohydrates. Specially formulated rat diets — consisting of pellets, block and grains — are best for your pet.

You may add fruit and vegetables to your rat’s daily diet as well, but rats love to try new things including table scraps such as small bits of egg or chicken, even pizza crust. Unfortunately these tend to be high in fat and protein, so they need to be offered sparingly to avoid obesity.  Rats are particularly keen for broccoli, garbanzo beans, plain popcorn, grapes, tomatoes, cooked white rice and pasta.

Avoid chocolate, candy, onions, sticky foods (such as taffy and peanut butter) and junk food.  Most importantly, all foods should be fresh to maximize necessary vitamins and minerals, and should be introduced slowly to avoid digestive issues.

Care & Handling

Remove droppings, uneaten food and soiled areas of bedding from your pets’ cage every day. Clean the cage completely once a week.

Rats love to gnaw, so put unpainted, untreated pieces of wood, dog biscuits, safe cardboard or rawhide chew toys in the cage. This is crucial for keeping their teeth in good condition.

Even though rats are friendly by nature, they may not be comfortable with you right away. Start by feeding them small treats. After you’ve earned their trust, you can handle your rats, with one hand supporting the bottom and the other over the back.

Once your rats are tamed, let them play outside of the cage in a safe, secure area for an hour or so every day to keep them mentally stimulated and physically fit.

Health & Veterinary Care

If you think your rat is sick, seek medical attention immediately. Common symptoms include sneezing, lethargy, weight loss, dull eyes, diarrhea and difficulty breathing. Also, rats are particularly susceptible to external parasites such as mites.