Rats can be wonderful pets!
They are affectionate and smart animals that often bond quickly with their owners and are easy to train.
Fancy rats are Rattus norvegicus domestica is a type of Norway rat that has been tamed and is often used in labs and as pets. Rats have long bodies, short fur, small eyes and ears, and long tails without hair. Because they have poor eyesight, they rely on use their whiskers and sense of smell to gather information and figure out where they are.
Rats can live up to 3 years as pets, but by the time they are 2, they are usually considered old, and you might notice they start sleeping more and playing less.
Advice on housing for pet rats:
Rats are good at getting out of their cages, so they need to be kept in a safe place. It is recommended that their cages be at least 61 x 37 x 62 cm for 2 rats so that they have enough room to nest, dig, and move around. Cages made of wire with plastic or metal bottoms work well.
Rat bedding, or substrate, can be made of things like compressed paper pellets, kiln dried pine or aspen shavings, undyed shredded paper, or fleece. Note that paper and fleece need to be changed more often than wood shavings or paper pellets.
Rats need 2-8 cm deep bedding that should be changed at least once a week. If the bedding isn't changed often, ammonia from their urine will build up and make it hard for them to breathe. Rats don’t sweat so it is important their cage is kept away from direct sun and is in a part of the home with moderate/regulated temperature.
Rats are social animals that usually do better when they are in same sex groups of 3 or more, a pair is the minimum. Rats require time out of the cage to play and explore but you should supply a big enough exercise wheel and climbing toys in the cage too.
You'll need to handle your pet rat often to help it get used to people. Do no pick them up by their tails. This could cause a painful condition called de-gloving in which the skin of the tail comes off. If this happens, the tail will probably need to be amputated by a vet.
What can I give my pet rat to eat?
Rats are rodents that eat everything and do well on a rodent block or pellet, which you can buy in stores. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be offered in small amounts, you should limit nuts and seeds because they are high in fat. Adults need 5–10 grams of pellets every day per 100 grams of body weight.
Rats should always have access to clean water. Since water bowls often get full of bedding, food, and waste, it is best to serve it in a water bottle with a sipper tube. Rats need 10 milliliters of water every day for every 100 grams of body weight.
Rats can have health problems and a vet fund to cover expenses is suggested. Common health issues are being overweight, getting hurt (usually from being bitten), having teeth that don't fit together (malocclusion), parasites, and respiratory tract infections. Rat illness can be caused by mycoplasmas, and a wide range of other bacteria and viruses. Respiratory infection can become long-lasting or come back, and it usually needs to be treated with antibiotics.
