Elizabeth
I always enjoy speaking with fellow animal lovers, so please feel free to contact me: Elizabeth Henderson with any questions or comments that you might have.
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Rats!
By Elizabeth Henderson
When most people think of rats, their minds conjure up images of disease carrying pests that live in sewers. While rats can, like any animal, carry disease, and some wild rats do live in sewers or steal grain when they are hungry, domesticated rats make wonderful pets. Domesticated rats have been selectively bred for thousands of generations and, though still the same species, have many differences from their wild counterparts. They are calmer, come in a variety of beautiful colors, live longer, are generally healthier, and are more comfortable around humans.
Rats make affectionate, intelligent, and low maintenance pets. They are easy to care for, inexpensive, and do not require as much space as a dog or cat. When kept with a buddy rat, they also require far less attention than a dog or cat. Contrary to popular belief, rats kept in a clean environment do not smell and they can even be litter box trained to make cage cleaning even easier. Rats are well known for their intelligence, but few people know that rats can be easily taught to do many tricks such as jumping through hoops and sitting up and begging for food like a dog. Some even learn new tricks in only two lessons. Well socialized domestic rats are gentle and affectionate, learning to recognize their owners and come when called by name. They enjoy attention and like to be petted. Many particularly like to be scratched behind the ears and some will roll over to have their belly rubbed. Rats are naturally nocturnal and as such tend to be most active in the evening and night time.
The care and equipment needed to keep a rat happy and healthy is fairly simple. A chew proof enclosure with bars spaced so that they rat cannot escape is important. It should be at least 14"x12"x24" to ensure adequate space for exercise and play. A larger cage is almost always better if the space is available and multiple levels are better than just one. Choice of bedding is also important. Aromatic wood products, like pine or cedar shavings, should be avoided as they can cause respiratory irritation, liver problems, and even blood poisoning from exposure to high levels of phenol. A good bedding choice for rats is Carefresh pet bedding. It is a good idea to provide your rats with cozy places to sleep, such as a nesting box or hammock made for small animals. It is generally best to keep at least two rats at a time. Rats are very social animals and if you are only able to spend an hour a day with your rat, they will be lonely. Rats that have a buddy are usually much calmer and studies have shown that they tend to be have fewer health problems.
Because rats are highly intelligent and playful, toys are a must and should be available at all times. Having several is a good idea. The more the merrier. Rats especially enjoy climbing and chewing, making toys like ropes, ladders, branches, and even cement blocks fun. Rats are inventive, so many things can make good toys. Just make sure that anything provided is safe for chewing and climbing on. Many rats also enjoy running on an exercise wheel. Because rats are larger than some other rodents kept as pets, it is important to get a wheel that is large enough for them to run on comfortably. One of the best is a ‘Wodent Wheel’ as they are available in a variety of sizes and are safe. Traditional wire wheels can cause injury if your pet gets a leg or their tail caught while running and should be avoided.
As with any animal, fresh water should always be available. Water bottles should be cleaned and inspected daily to make sure they are working properly. The best diet for rats should consist mainly of a pelleted feed made specifically for rats. Grain mixes made for small animals can be good, but many rats will pick out the pieces they like most and refuse to eat the rest resulting in an unbalanced diet. Rats also enjoy treats. Some of the best treats for rats are fresh fruits and vegetables, but there are a few foods that should be avoided. The following foods should never be fed: green potato skins and eyes, raw red cabbage, green bananas, raw dry legumes, raw tofu, wild insects, raw brussel sprouts, raw sweet potato, chocolate, licorice, blue cheese, rhubarb, and raw artichokes. Male rats should also never be fed orange juice or citrus peels.
The best place to get a pet rat is from a breeder. A good breeder will be able to help you choose the perfect pet and you will know what kind of temperament to expect after meeting the parents of your new pet. Rats from breeders are generally healthier and gentler and usually not any more expensive than from a pet shop. Breeders often have a larger selection, including a wide variety of colors.
Once you bring your new pet home it is a good idea to establish a relationship with a local veterinarian that has experience treating rats. Though rats do not generally require much veterinary care, occasionally respiratory infections or other ailments may require treatment. Many rat owners also choose to have their pet spayed or neutered. Doing so can result in a calmer pet as well as preventing unwanted breeding and reducing the chance for some types of tumor. It is best to have the surgery performed at about three months of age.
Though many people can’t imagine rats as pets, they are actually excellent pets that require relatively little space, attention, and money to keep happy and healthy. They are intelligent, affectionate, and gentle animals that can be good pets for just about anyone. |
