Pet Rat Care Basics

Don't be fooled by movies and popular culture. Rats aren't the disease-carrying monsters they're made out to be. These cute, cuddly rodents can actually make great pets! They're more social than hamsters, less hyper than gerbils, and smarter than guinea pigs. If you're thinking of adopting a curious, scaly-tailed friend, here are some tips to keep him or her happy and healthy.

Pairs show you care. Rats are social animals. In the wild, their colonies can number into the hundreds. this, and their natural curiosity, means that a single rat is often a lonely, bored rat. It takes little additional effort to take care of two rats, and they'll be able to entertain one another when you're gone. If you're a first-time rat owner, it's a good idea to adopt siblings. That way, they'll already be used to one another's company.

Two square feet per rat. This is the rule of thumb for deciding what size cage to get. You can expand the usefulness of a cage by adding levels, tubes, and hammocks for your rat. However, don't make the mistake of thinking two full grown rats can be comfortable in a ten gallon aquarium. That's like a jail cell for a human. If you give your rats two square feet of cage and shelf space apiece, they'll have plenty of space to play and sleep.

Separate the sexes. Rodents are champion breeders, and rats can produce more babies than almost any other kind of rodent. Litters vary from as few as three or four to as many as twenty. The average litter is eight to ten. Unless you're equipped to take care of an ever expanding rodent population, leave breeding to ratteries, and make sure your rats are the same sex. Females are bouncier and cleaner, but prone to tumors. Males are often characterized as lazy and cuddly. No matter which you get, check them both over carefully to make sure you have two of one sex.

Avoid pet stores. Not all pet stores are bad. However, a lot of employees don't have enough information to take care of rats properly. This can lead to your ending up with sick pets, poorly socialized rats, pregnant females, or even being given mis-sexed animals. To avoid this kind of trouble, sticking with a breeder for your first pair is a better idea. Breeders are more likely to be well informed, and to have rats that will make good companions.

A bored rat is an unhappy rat. A cage mate is the best toy you can get your rat, but don't underestimate the value of other playthings, either. Fortunately, rats aren't picky. They'll be happy to play with ropes strung from the top of the cage, cardboard boxes, tubes, and pieces of fabric. Got old clothes? Your rats will love them.

Say no to pine and cedar. These beddings are sold in almost all pet stores, and are a lot cheaper than many other kinds of bedding. They also contain phenols, which are toxic to small animals over time, and can cause respiratory problems. To protect your pets and give them the longest life you can, avoid these beddings.

Not all food is created equal! It might seem strange, but a lot of the food on the market for small animals isn't what's best for them. Avoid any rat and mouse food containing a lot of corn or alfalfa. These are substances which can be good for other small mammals, but don't provide good nutrition for rats. Lab blocks are good for rats, as are foods with large seeds and dried fruits that they'll readily eat. You can make your own food mix, but do your research first. Contrary to popular belief, rats don't thrive on trash.

Visit the vet. Many people don't think that small animals should be taken to the vet when sick. After all, your pet only cost a few dollars, why spend more on a vet bill? However, rats can get serious illnesses that they don't show symptoms of until they're very sick. Because of this, it's important to take your pets to the vet as soon as they start acting strangely.

Supervise your pet. Your rat is a prey animal, and might be afraid of your cat or dog, even if they're harmless. Don't rule out the possibility of those pets suddenly feeling their instincts around a rat, too. If your rat is outside the cage, always stay in the room. Even when there are no other animals around, these little guys can chew through wires or get into toxic chemicals.

These are just a few of the steps to taking care of your rat. Rats are friendly, intelligent pets if taken care of properly. However, there are a lot of misconceptions in the world about them. That's why you should always do your research. Keep your rats healthy and happy, and you'll be able to look forward to several years with them.