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The author's son and his pet rat Mister.
Looking for a lovable pocket pet? Do you live in a small apartment or work long hours? Is your child longing for an animal companion? Consider a pair of rats! Rats are intelligent, affectionate pets who require little space and easily adapt to their owners' schedules- especially when they have other rats to keep them company.
Why A Rat?
Many people have misconceptions about rats that quickly disappear after spending just a few minutes with a friendly pet rat. The truth is, rats make excellent pets. They are calmer, less likely to bite and less stinky than ferrets, yet they are just as affectionate and smart and almost as playful. They are also less likely to carry diseases that can pass to other people and pets. Rats are also a bit sturdier than other popular pocket pets, like hamsters and gerbils and are more likely than these to seek out human interaction.
Caring for a Pet Rat
Rats are easy to care for. Like any pet, they require adequate housing, food and attention, but their needs are simple and they do give back with affection and entertainment.
Housing Your Rat
There are a number of cages on the market that are suitable for rats. Look for rabbit, ferret or guinea pig cages if you can't find cages designed just for rats at your local pet store or visit Martins Cages for cages designed specifically with rats in mind.
The bars should be an inch or less apart, the floor of the cage should be solid (not a mesh of any sort) and each rat requires at least 2 cubic feet of living space. Rats do like to climb, so if you have limited space, consider getting a cage that's taller rather than wider and give them a few floors.
Pine, cedar and other wood shavings are not recommended for pet rats because they can be sensitive to the natural chemicals they contain. Instead try EcoFresh or a similar bedding made of shredded paper. Rats also like blankets, tissue paper and cotton to make cozy beds out of.
You should also provide your pet rats with a den to sleep in. It should be big enough for all of your rats to snuggle in together and feel secure and hidden. You'll have fun watching them furnish their den with bits of cotton and tissue paper to make a nice bed. You can get igloo shaped dens at the pet store, or use cleaned out cardboard coffee canisters.
Your pet's cage should be cleaned once a week. Take out all the furniture and wash it off, run the blankets through the wash, and dispose of and replaced any cardboard furniture that looks soiled and change the bedding. Once a month you should take the whole cage apart and give it a good scrubbing with a 1 part vinegar, 2 parts water solution.
Rats Will Eat Anything (but Shouldn't)
The best and most nutritious diet for pet rats is lab blocks which you can get from most pet stores. Make sure you get the kind formulated specifically for rats and feel free to ask your vet for recommendations. Rats do get bored with eating the same thing every day and appreciate a varied diet. I mix my lab blocks with nuts (still in the shell so they can have fun getting them out), dried fruit, and different kinds of cereal (Cheerios, bran flakes, wheat puffs etc. Nothing sugary.) and they also enjoy a special treat of fresh fruits and vegetables, rice and pasta once in awhile.
Your rats also need plenty of fresh, clean water every day. They drink well from a water bottle and they drink quite a bit, so be sure to check it frequently, especially in hot weather and wash it and refill it daily.
Rats are Social Animals
Rats are social creatures; that's what makes them such great pets. Unless you can give your rat love and attention every waking moment of its life, you should always have at least two housed together to keep each other company. Male rats can easily be neutered and females can also be spayed. This allows you to keep different rats of the same sex together, reduces dominance issues and reduces the risk of certain types of cancer, just like it does in dogs and cats.
Your pet rat may also be interested in interacting with other pets in the household. I have known rats to develop friendships with birds, dogs and even cats. It is important to supervise these interactions closely and never house rats with other types of animals.
Your rats will enjoy daily playtime and handling by you and other members of the family. Many rats enjoy riding around on their owners shoulders. Many enjoy a good scratch on the neck, head or belly. You can teach your rats to do tricks quite easily using positive reinforcement. To teach your rat to come when his name is called, call his name and give him a treat a few times, then back away and call his name again (the exact same way) when he moves toward you, give him a treat. Repeat this several times then move further away and repeat again.
Your Rat's Health
More and more veterinarians are seeing pet rats these days and it is important that you get your rat in to see your vet at least once a year. Before you even bring your rat home, contact your local veterinarian and find out if they see rats. If not, ask if they can refer you to someone who can. Most of our local emergency vets see rats and can give you a referral to a primary vet, but don't wait for an emergency to get one! Rats can be troubled by respiratory infections or parasites and it is important that they are seen quickly by a vet if they show any signs of respiratory distress, or if they seem "off color" or just "out of sorts". It's important to note that people and rats can pass respiratory infections to each other, so if you're not feeling well, have someone else feed your pet.
Rats are also prone to cancer and any unusual lumps should be reported to the vet as well. Many cancers can be treated easily if it's caught early and rats bounce back pretty quick. Because rats have been used in research for so many years, their illnesses are pretty well understood and can be easily treated by a competent vet.
Where to Find Your New Pet
Pet rats can be purchased in many pet stores for just a few dollars. It is better, however, to get your rat from either a rescue or a breeder. Pet stores rarely know the health history of rats and do not have time to handle their rats to ensure that they are hand tame and friendly. Rescues and breeders often make a point of doing this to ensure that their rats make good pets so that when they go to a new home they stay there. They also tend to adopt rats out in pairs so you may end up with a better deal. Many rescues also often neuter their rats before adopting them out so you aren't restricted by gender when selecting a companion for you first choice of rat.
Check out these websites to find your new rat companion. These folks specialize in rats and can answer your questions better than most pet store or general shelter employees. You can browse potential pets in the comfort of your own home and some of these folks will even meet you half way to deliver your new friend.
Huron Valley Rat Rescue in Ypsilanti
Met's Magical Rat Rescue in Grand Rapids
RatLandia Rattery in Big Rapids
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