Caring for your Rats - A Guide

[Enchantica]

Hello all

I don't have kids (yet, going to ttc in Nov after we are married) but I am a rat mummy to 7 rats. I have had 14 in total and all have either been unwanted/abused/neglected or from an 'oops' litter. I want to write a guide so new rat owners have something to refer to if they think they would like to own rats, or if they already own them. I am happy to receive private messages about any rat issues and I will help as best I can. I feel passionate about animals and rats in particular.

Firstly, the biggest myth about rats is that they spread disease. If you are looking to get some then you probably know that pet rats are perfectly good pets and won't give you a disease. Secondly, please consider getting your rat from a shelter before going to the pet shop. Pet shop rodents very often come from rodent mills which are exactly like puppy mills. Rats which are made to breed constantly in disgusting conditions. If you have a nearby shelter then check there first. Otherwise, have a look for a reputable breeder in your area. There are of course places that don't have any small animal shelters but it would be great if you could find a couple of needy rats rather than supporting pet shops and rodent mills.

The first thing to do is get your cage. Wire cages are best, with plastic or metal bases. Tanks aren't so good because they can fill with moisture and affect your ratties' sensitive respiratory systems. For the size of cage please go here and enter the size of cage you have/are looking at to see how many rats will fit in it. For a cage that fits 3 rats, I will usually have 2 in it just so they have more space. The bigger the better.

Rats are allergic to sawdust and wood shavings. The best substrates to use are: paper flakes, shredded paper, finely chopped straw (can smell when urinated on though), soft hay (good quality), Carefresh, paper towel and toilet roll and towels/fleece blankets. Cotton wool type bedding is not good as rats can catch their claws in it and can injure their limbs if they pull/fall while attached to it.

Rats love mental stimulation so remember to put lots of tubes, tunnels, hammocks to lounge in and have a look at rat websites to look for special rat toys. They can get bored so remember to mix things up a bit when you change their cage, new bed, put the bed in a different place, spread some food around for them to discover, add in new toys. Also make sure to clean your rat's cage around once a week with special rodent cage disinfectant.

Rats enjoy a varied diet. They should not be fed hamster/gerbil food as this contains items that aren't good for them. Personally I like rat blocks called Suparat Burgess Rat Royale. I add in fresh vegetables, some fruit and cereals. I also give them some foods when I am eating them like cooked chicken. Have a look here for things you can and can't feed your rats: maritime-rattery.20fr.com/custom.html

Remember that your rats are sociable animals and it's really only fair to keep them in pairs or larger groups. A lone rat is often an unhappy rat. They need someone of their own species to be with. This video puts it best: They also like to socialise with you. An hour a day of free ranging time is recommended. I let them run around my hall or spare room and I sit with them and play. I put lots of boxes around for them to run in and out of and toys to play with.

Rats have sensitive respiratory systems. If you hear lots of sneezing and grumbling then take them to the vet. Also make sure your vet is good with rats, check before you register. Some vets will give you Baytril and if that doesn't work they won't give you anything else. Baytril is what is usually given to start off with to help with respiratory infections. Make sure your vet is open to trying other medicines if necessary.

Rats are good first pets but please make sure your children are supervised whilst handling.

There are lots of other things like trick training, litter training, introducing to other rats, breeding, mites, medical problems, biting rats. If you would like further advice on anything please let me know.

I hope this guide helps rat owners and rat owners to be. If you have any tips of your own or have comments on what I have said please let me know. I am happy to discuss different rat care ideas.

Just to add, this website is great for helpful info and advice: fancy-rats.co.uk/information/

I love rats.Can't have one at the moment as I have an aged terrier,but maybe in a few years we will get another,thanks for the advice!

I used to have rats and so did my Mum and Brother. My Brothers would run up the stairs, into his room and get into the cage!

Would love to have another but i don't think it would be safe as i have a greyhound and a jack russell now.

Thank you for this. I've had many rats in the past but haven't had one for years. I'm missing little feet running along the top of the sofa :)

I'm not sure I can handle two though, I've only ever had single rats and they've always seemed OK (will look at your link as I haven't yet) but then they were allowed out of the cage for hours at a time, and carried around the house on my shoulder

We do have a rescue centre near us that often has rats, so I will definitely check with them before looking for a breeder

One question - DS is 3, and if we got a rat it would be as his first pet (mine though, really )

Is 3 too young? He is extremely careful and understands how to be around animals I think, very gentle. If I'm honest I want a rat myself, so perhaps using him as an excuse a little bit :)

Hi Jareth, personally (and this is just my opinion) I don't really like young children having pets as I feel they can treat them like toys. Which isn't their fault, they are just being children. But I think it's probably up to the parent's judgement. I'm not a parent so perhaps I don't quite understand yet. I think as long as you supervise time out of the cage then your child will probably learn quite a lot about how to look after an animal.

Animals in cages are easier to supervise around children so you should be fine. Plenty of parents have pets in their household so I'm sure it will be fine. You may be best with a couple of relaxed male rats as they tend to enjoy hanging out in their hammocks and can enjoy being stroked on your lap depending on their personality. Or some baby rats could be good as I can imagine a 3 year old may want to put their fingers through the bars at times and it's easier to teach little rats not to bite fingers than older rats. You may be lucky and get a couple of licky rats though. My first were constant lickers of fingers, then I made the mistake of putting my fingers in for my next rats and I got bitten. (he was a rescue though and not tame so was scared).

So I think it's best to use your judgement. I do think rats make fabulous pets though. They usually live for 2 years which can be heartbreaking as you don't have them for long but it can be good for children because you aren't faced with years of life left if children lose interest in them. This often happens with rabbits :(

I'm glad you have all liked my post.

Also, your lone rats were probably fine with you because of all the attention they got. It's just a bit nicer for them to have someone of their own species to 'speak' to and snuggle with. The youtube video is lovely. I have no doubt you were a good rat parent though. :)

I kept rats when I was a student, and they are lovely creatures, so intelligent and affectionate.

But I always kept mine in aquariums, with sawdust - I didn't see any signs of allergy.

I also only had one rat at a time, but as they were essentially "free-range" around the house, and I spent a lot of time with them, they didn't have time to get lonely. One of them practically lived on my shoulder.

I haven't had rats for a couple of years now (sadly not enough time to be a proper rat mummy) and am missing them like crazy! Luckily, my headteacher's daughter has gone on holiday and I get to look after the rats for the week!!!! Can't wait!!!! :)

Sawdust can have long reaching consequences for your rats respiratory system. Think of it more like asthma. Low grade respiratory distress may or maynot develop into something nasty but its best not to put the body under that distress in the first place.

Alot of rat owners have had problems using Carefresh as it tends to be dusty and I had a huge issue with Megazorb in my group. I use chopped cardboard and get it for the same price as sawdust.

Some rats like to be single, my hairless is in company only because he has trouble keeping warm in this weather. He would be happier on his own. Judge your own rat, you know him best.

Good guide Lara2 although I disgree with the recommended free range time you stated. In an ideal world we'd have them out every day but in a large cage with lots of toys they are fine to be out every other day. I use my bed but if you do this make sure you cover it with towels or blankets they can pee on. If you let them in the hallway make sure they can't hurt themselves on any electrical wires, falling on the stairs etc.

Jareth I have two kids 6 and 10. My 6 year old has trouble handling the rats because of the sharp claws so watch that. If you child is sensible then yes let them pet the rat but I wouldn't let them hold it. My son has rats on the shoulder although he's a bit small still for the big boys.

Hate to admit this, but 2 of my children caused severe injuries to our pet rats (at age 8 & 7, so not toddlers). They were careless accidents, not malicious, but still awful :(. Worst part for DC is probably living with the guilt.

Never had any such problems with Guinea pigs or fancy mice, they obviously aren't robust creatures.