Rat's the Way to Pawsitively Delightful Companionship!
Why Rats Make Exceptional Pets and Expert Tips for Their Care!
Believe it or not, rats make awesome pets!
They are so intelligent, social, and highly trainable. They rarely bite and love to snuggle with humans and other animal friends.
When I was doing my internship after veterinary school, my intern-mate, with whom I lived, had two rats. I had two Basenji dogs. I came home one day after a long day at work, and the rat cage was torn apart and my roommate's rats were NOWHERE to be found! I panicked. Did my dogs eat his pets????
Nope. After frantically scouring our apartment, I found the rats and my dogs curled up on the sofa together, having a nice snooze!
Whew. This was so surprising to me, but in the year I lived with two rats, I discovered how wonderful they are as pets. Rats are highly social animals and like to play, so they may be housed together. As long as you provide ample space, several rats can be housed together.
Be careful not to house intact males (not neutered) and intact females (not spayed) together unless you are planning to have babies. Rats can have up to 12 litters per year!!! They may have 2-20 babies per litter, and the gestation for a rat is just 21 days. They can start reproducing shortly after reaching just 8 weeks of age. It is very important to separate males and females, as you can see how fast you could have A LOT of rats!
Environment and Enclosure
Rats are very agile and can escape many enclosures. If you purchase a cage for one rat, you should have at least 24-36 inches in length and 18-24 inches in width minimum. Rats need space and fun things to add enrichment. If you do have a wire enclosure, it should have wire openings no more than 0.5 x 0.5 inch.
Housing should have a solid floor as this is easier to clean than one made of a wire mesh material. It also protects the feet. It is very important that the top of the enclosure is secure because rats are escape artists!
Recycled newspaper, shredded paper, or a commercially available nonabsorbent material should be used for bedding. Eco-Bedding brand (looks like crinkled brown paper) is an excellent choice. The bedding should be changed at least twice weekly. Cedar and pine shavings should NOT be used as they can cause allergies resulting in respiratory distress. Many rat enthusiasts also use fleece bedding which is acceptable as long as it is washed daily. Offering a variety of substrates is a great idea. Having some fleece, shredded paper, and paper bedding in addition to a small sand box can add a variety of play areas. Place plain/perfume/dye-free tissue paper and cardboard rolls in the enclosure for additional nesting material. Your rat will enjoy shredding them in order to build a cozy nest. Empty oatmeal canisters can also be fun for chewing on or for nest building.
Rats need plenty of toys available to keep them entertained. Have a stock of toys on hand and rotate them every few days to help prevent boredom from setting in. Be sure to clean your rats' toys regularly.
Diet
Rats should be offered a variety of food and rat-specific pellet food throughout the day. The pellet food should only be approx. ½ to 1 Tablespoon per rat. Too much pellet diet can lead to obesity. I recommend Oxbow Animal Health Essentials Adult Rat Food. There are many other rat pellet options out there; I overall prefer a pellet that does not have sugar or molasses in the ingredient list. If you can find an organic one, go for it!
I do not recommend food mixes that contain pretty seeds, dried fruits, or nuts. Your rat will eat their preferred foods and leave the healthy items behind. Feed your rat(s) in a thick ceramic bowl to avoid spilling.
People foods
Vegetables (offer a variety every day)
Greens (lettuces of all varieties)
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Kale
Collard Greens
Herbs (basil, cilantro, parsley, fennel, mint)
Celery
Clover
Dandelion leaves
Spinach
Savoy Cabbage
Snap peas
Carrots
Beetroot
Legumes (cooked)
Chicory
Cress
Leeks
Okra
Radish
Corn
Chard
Zucchini
Pumpkin
Squash
Tomato
Cucumber
Fruits (only in moderation, 2-3x per week)
Banana
Berries
Apple
Pear
Kiwi
Papaya
Watermelon
Protein Sources (only in moderation 1-2x per week)
Boiled or cooked egg
Boiled chicken
Boiled meats (steak, pork, lamb)
Off-limit foods (do not feed)
Seeds
Avocado
Chocolate
Anything with sugar or sugar itself
Coffee
Tea
Garlic
Onions
Alcohol
Plants that are toxic to dogs and cats
Keeping your rat on a fresh food diet will help control obesity and provide fresh vitamins and minerals for them to stay healthy. This also supports a strong immune system.
Fresh water should be available at all times in a thick ceramic bowl or sipper bottle. If you use a bottle, be sure to check it daily for blockage and refill and clean daily.
Spay and Neuter
It is important to neuter male rats even if they are not housed with females. Neutering will help prevent aggression and urine-marking behaviors from developing after puberty. It will also prevent testicular tumors and prostate issues which are prevalent in intact older males. It is best to neuter your rat around 8-9 weeks of age or above 250 grams. Spaying females will reduce the chances of uterine and mammary cancers. Female rats can be spayed once they reach 250 grams in weight, around 6-8 weeks of age.
Preventive Care
I recommend a yearly examination for your pet rat. Signs of disease can be subtle. Having a yearly exam will often identify any problems before they become advanced. Become familiar with your rat so that you know what is normal for him or her. If you notice any changes in physical appearance or behavior, please seek medical attention.
Unfortunately, rats are prone to growing masses (tumors) on their bodies as they age. These tumors can grow very quickly. Bring your rat in for an exam as soon as you notice any abnormal lumps or bumps. Smaller tumors are easier to remove. Rats are also susceptible to respiratory infections. If your pet begins to sneeze or if he/she has a runny nose and/or eyes, please seek medical attention.
Rats are also pros at making abscesses, especially if they are playing and biting with cage mates. Abscesses typically need to be surgically drained and cleaned to have them heal.
Fecal exams are important to have performed on your rat’s stool every 6 months. Rats can harbor intestinal parasites that can be given to you! Be sure to have their stool tested to ensure they are free of intestinal parasites.
Rats can sometimes get itchy. Mites and lice can be found on rats. Lice is somewhat common in large populations of rats and causes a common disease called Mycoplasma. Mycoplasma is spread by the louse and it causes an upper respiratory infection in rats. Rats will sound “snorkly” and will most likely need antibiotics to resolve the situation. They will also need to be treated for the lice. Rat lice are not contagious to humans; they only like the rats!
Rats also have porphyrin discharge from their tears. This is a red-brown tear that is seen with rats under a bit of stress. It can come from the eyes or nose, and if they are ill, it can be constant. Seeing it here and there can be normal. If there are copious amounts, they most likely have an upper respiratory infection or an eye infection.
Rat Bite Fever
Rats can carry bacteria called Streptobacillus moniliformis. It is considered a commensal organism (meaning it is normal) in the nose and mouth of the rat. It does NOT cause disease in a rat. The problem is, it does cause disease in us!
If a rat bites you and they have this bacterium, it can spread to you and cause serious and if not treated, fatal disease (that means you can die!) Anytime you have a rat that bites you, wash the area with antibacterial soap for at least 15 MINUTES and monitor for illness over the next several days. You can also have your rat tested for this organism as well.
If you feel sick or run a fever, seek medical attention from your doctor RIGHT AWAY. Tell them you were bitten by a rat, and you will need antibiotics and possible hospitalization. The best way to prevent rat bite fever is to handle rats gently, and if you have a rat that bites, wear thick gloves at all times.
So, if you’re looking for a small pet that’s big on personality, consider bringing a rat into your life. These little buddies are not just clever and cuddly, but with the right care, they can become a cherished part of your family. Dive into the delightful world of rat ownership and discover the joy these whiskered friends can bring into your home!
Additional information that is more in-depth for rat enthusiasts can be found here: Merck Vet Manual - Rats as Pets