Rat Care Sheet

Average Lifespan: 2–3 years (The oldest pet rat lived to be 7)
Full Grown Size: 9–11 inches (Not including tail)
Minimum Enclosure Size: About 2 Sq. Feet per Rat
Enclosure Size Needed When Full Grown: 29” x 15” x 18”

Introduction to Pet Rats

Rats carry a bad reputation around them but are actually very intelligent and clean animals. Being very trainable and social they are very loyal to their owners. They have been known to show affection, be potty trained, and learn a number of tricks.

Rats can suffer from mental illness and obesity if not given proper stimulation, exercise, and attention!

How To Determine Gender

You can tell a rat’s gender at any age. Even newborn rats! Mature males are substantially larger than female rats. It is also fairly simple for the most part to look under the tail of the rat; you will either see testicles on a male, or you won't on a female.

Another way to tell is to lay a rat on its stomach and gently hold up its tale; male rats have a much longer space between the urethra and anus, this is noticeable from the time they are born.

Should They Be Housed Alone?

Rats are highly social animals and usually live in large groups called a pack or swarm. Due to them being very social animals, they need regular engagement and affection. Keep this in mind when purchasing a pet rat.

Rats do better in trios, allowing them to create a social network and helping to avoid bullying or aggression. For the mental health of your pet, rats should be kept in pairs or groups, unless the rat gets attention many times a day from its owners.

Healthy Diet

A well-balanced diet is very important to keep your rat healthy. Rats are omnivores, so they like a variety of foods and need a good variety to keep them healthy.

• Your pet should always have access to clean, freshwater that is changed at least once a day.
• A high-quality pelleted food formulated for rats should be offered regularly.
• A rat will occasionally nibble on meat.
• Fresh vegetables and fruits can be given daily and should make up a majority of the rat’s diet.
• Rats loved nuts; such as almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, and more. They can be offered as a treat to provide a good source of protein to their diet as well.

Proper Enclosure/ Setup Description

The ideal enclosure for your pet rat will include multiple levels for climbing, a warm nest box, and lots of toys to keep your rat preoccupied. Wired cages are better because they provide good ventilation and temperature control. Rats have a sensitive respiratory system and can develop breathing problems and even lung infections from not having proper ventilation.

Bedding on the cage floor should be non-toxic wood chips or paper-based. Cedar and pine chips are toxic to pet rats, so avoid these and things like sawdust and other dusty materials. Wire floors should be covered with paper or cloth so they have something solid to walk on.

Toys are extremely important. Not just for entertainment, but rats’ teeth never stop growing, so wood and chew toys should be provided so your pet can keep their teeth at a healthy length.

Signs The Pet Is Healthy

When getting a pet rat you should pay attention to these things to ensure your new pet is healthy;

-Breathing should not be labored and rats should not struggle to breathe. Pay attention to whether or not there is rattling, wheezing, or other signs of congestion because respiratory infections are very common in pet rats.

-The rats’ eyes should be bright and free from discharge. Things like a building eye or bloody tears are signs of underlying health issues.

-Your rat’s coat should be full and shiny. Scratching and bald spots can be a sign of parasites.

-Your rat’s teeth should not be overgrown, misaligned, or chipped. The gums of a rat should not be red or swollen.

-A rat’s nose should be clean and free of mucus.

Things You Should Keep In Mind When Getting A Pet Rat

Rats are very social animals and can also get sick or depressed if left alone for long periods. Exercise and stimulation will also help with behavior problems and help you bond with your pet.

Obesity is common in rats if they are not given proper cages or exercise.

Rats are very clean and trainable pets. Many people even train their rats to have free time in a rat-proof room of their home; this helps with mental stimulation and exercise because rats love to explore!

Photo by Alexandr Gusev on Unsplash