Pet Rats
Rattus norvegicus
Rats are one of the smartest of over 1700 rodents and have been kept as pets for hundreds of years. They have long bodies, long tails with little or no hair, long pointed noses and are larger than mice. They have poor eyesight but have excellent hearing and a strong sense of smell.
Even though many consider rats dirty animals, they are actually very clean and groom themselves constantly. They are cautious of new things, very intelligent and learn from experience. With enough social interaction rats can share a bond with their owner and make great pets.
Rats As Pets
Rats make wonderful pets. They are inexpensive, love to be held and played with, quiet, and don’t require a lot of space. They are very social and do better if kept in pairs. Rats love children, are very clean, intelligent and loyal pets.
Care Sheet
What do I need for my pet rat?
Now that you have decided on a rat as a pet you should have all supplies necessary before bringing him home. Having the right supplies is the best way to have a happy healthy pet. This care sheet will guide you in having everything you need.
Now that you have decided on a rat as a pet you should have all supplies necessary before bringing him home. Having the right supplies is the best way to have a happy healthy pet. This care sheet will guide you in having everything you need.
Cage & Habitat
You will need a properly ventilated, chew proof cage with a solid floor that is at least 24″ x 12″ x 12″. Remember, a bigger cage is always better when it comes to your pet’s home.
You will need a properly ventilated, chew proof cage with a solid floor that is at least 24″ x 12″ x 12″. Remember, a bigger cage is always better when it comes to your pet’s home.
Bedding or substrate for the bottom of the cage. You want to avoid cedar and pine shavings.
A stoppered chew proof water bottle that attaches to the side of the cage.
A food dish that can be secured to the cage or a dish that is heavy enough to not be easily tipped over.
An exercise wheel. Make sure you get one large enough for your rat.
Rat, cat, or bird toys and untreated wood for chewing. Get extra toys if you pet’s home is an aquarium instead of a cage.
Paper towels, paper napkins, hay, or straw for nesting.
Food & Supplements
Commercial rat food.
Commercial rat food.
Fresh vegetables, fruit, and occasional table scraps.
Treats to add variety to your rats diet and for use in training.
A supplement to make sure your pet gets all the vitamins he needs.
Food & Diet
Rats love to eat and will often eat, not because they are hungry, but just because they enjoy it. Rats are omnivores meaning they will eat both plants and animals so there is a wide variety of foods that you can feed your pet. Below are some of the items you can feed your rat.
Rat Food
There are many commercially available rat foods that will contain almost everything your pet rat will need. Rat food can contain a mix of pellets, fruits, nuts, vegetables, seeds, and grains. The drawback is that your rat may pick out his favorite pieces and not receive a well balanced diet.
There are many commercially available rat foods that will contain almost everything your pet rat will need. Rat food can contain a mix of pellets, fruits, nuts, vegetables, seeds, and grains. The drawback is that your rat may pick out his favorite pieces and not receive a well balanced diet.
Fresh Food
You should also feed your pet rat fresh healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. You can try sweet potatoes, tomatoes, apples, corn, broccoli and many others.
You should also feed your pet rat fresh healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. You can try sweet potatoes, tomatoes, apples, corn, broccoli and many others.
Table Scraps
Rats love table scraps but you must feed them in moderation. Rats can not burp or vomit so avoid gassy foods. Your pet will eat almost anything and will enjoy being allowed to pick through different types of food.
Rats love table scraps but you must feed them in moderation. Rats can not burp or vomit so avoid gassy foods. Your pet will eat almost anything and will enjoy being allowed to pick through different types of food.
A good rule to follow is if it is good for you, it’s probably good for your rat. And if it is bad for you, it’s probably bad for your rat.
Treats
Rats consider all foods a treat and will appreciate some more than others. Use those special treats for training or special occasions. There are many rat treats available or you can use different foods from around the home.
Rats consider all foods a treat and will appreciate some more than others. Use those special treats for training or special occasions. There are many rat treats available or you can use different foods from around the home.
Rats have a very poor gag reflex so choking can be a problem and you will want to avoid certain foods. Avoid feeding sticky foods such as taffy, peanut butter, caramel, rolled fruit snacks and jelly beans. You should also moderate sugary snacks to prevent your rat from becoming fat.
Vitamins & Supplements
Rats usually get all their vitamins from their diet but they can be susceptible to vitamin deficiencies. Commercial vitamin supplements that go in the water bottle are available.
Rats usually get all their vitamins from their diet but they can be susceptible to vitamin deficiencies. Commercial vitamin supplements that go in the water bottle are available.
Water
Rats drink a lot of water and should have fresh water available at all times. A stoppered water bottle does a wonderful job of keeping water available.
Rats drink a lot of water and should have fresh water available at all times. A stoppered water bottle does a wonderful job of keeping water available.
Cage & Habitat
Your pet rats need a home that is safe, secure, and provides places to exercise, eat, and sleep. A proper home is a great way to help make sure your pet lives a long healthy life.
Wire Cage
A wire cage makes an excellent home due to good air circulation and the fact that rats love to climb. The cage should be at least 24″ x 12″ x 12″, but bigger is always better so go with the largest cage possible.
A wire cage makes an excellent home due to good air circulation and the fact that rats love to climb. The cage should be at least 24″ x 12″ x 12″, but bigger is always better so go with the largest cage possible.
Since rats are chewers the cage you select should be chew proof, have no sharp edges and have secure doors. The wire openings should be no larger than 1/2″ to prevent him from escaping or getting a leg stuck. The floor of the cage should be solid and not wire mesh in order to prevent foot injury.
Aquarium
Aquariums can also make good homes for rats. They will let you view your pet, prevent spillage of bedding and are easy to clean. With tanks, a screened top that fits securely is needed to prevent escape.
Aquariums can also make good homes for rats. They will let you view your pet, prevent spillage of bedding and are easy to clean. With tanks, a screened top that fits securely is needed to prevent escape.
Air circulation is poor in these type of homes so care must be taken to prevent your rat from overheating. If using an aquarium you will also need to provide extra toys to satisfy your pet’s urge to climb.
Bedding & Substrate
You should provide enough bedding in the bottom of the cage to completely cover the bottom and add a layer of cushioning. Your pet will rearrange the bedding and other items in his cage and possibly make nests out of the bedding.
You should provide enough bedding in the bottom of the cage to completely cover the bottom and add a layer of cushioning. Your pet will rearrange the bedding and other items in his cage and possibly make nests out of the bedding.
There are many commercial beddings and substrates from which to choose. Cedar and pine shavings should be avoided. Besides bedding your rat will love other materials for making nests. Paper towels, napkins, hay, straw and grasses are good materials for your pet rat to shred and use.
Water Bottle
You will need a source of water for your pet. Stoppered water bottles that attach to the side of the cage will prevent water spillage in the cage. Remember, your pet rat is a chewer so you will need a chew proof bottle or a bottle with a chew guard.
You will need a source of water for your pet. Stoppered water bottles that attach to the side of the cage will prevent water spillage in the cage. Remember, your pet rat is a chewer so you will need a chew proof bottle or a bottle with a chew guard.
Food Bowl
A pet rat will easily climb on and tip over his food bowl. A dish that attaches to the sides of a wire cage or weighted bowl can help prevent this.
A pet rat will easily climb on and tip over his food bowl. A dish that attaches to the sides of a wire cage or weighted bowl can help prevent this.
Exercise Wheel
Some rats, but not all, enjoy exercise wheels. Be sure to get a large wheel that is big enough for your rat’s size. Do not put your rat in an acrylic exercise ball. Your pet could overheat due to panic and stress.
Some rats, but not all, enjoy exercise wheels. Be sure to get a large wheel that is big enough for your rat’s size. Do not put your rat in an acrylic exercise ball. Your pet could overheat due to panic and stress.
Toys
Rats love to play. Providing them with bird, cat or rat toys, PVC pipe, empty toilet paper and paper towel tubes and untreated, unpainted wood for chewing will give your pet hours of entertainment.
Rats love to play. Providing them with bird, cat or rat toys, PVC pipe, empty toilet paper and paper towel tubes and untreated, unpainted wood for chewing will give your pet hours of entertainment.
Cleaning
Your pet rat’s cage should be cleaned at least once a week and leftover food that could spoil should be removed daily. For cleaning, replace the bedding, wash the water bottle, food dish, dirty toys, and the cage bottom with soapy water. Make sure everything is dry before returning items to the cage.
Courtesy: http://petratcare.org/
Your pet rat’s cage should be cleaned at least once a week and leftover food that could spoil should be removed daily. For cleaning, replace the bedding, wash the water bottle, food dish, dirty toys, and the cage bottom with soapy water. Make sure everything is dry before returning items to the cage.
Courtesy: http://petratcare.org/
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