Rats
Caring for your rat
Domestic rats are clean, intelligent, enjoy human company and make
wonderful pets. Although domestic rats belong to the same species
as the wild rat, they should not be viewed in the same way.
Provided that pet rats have been handled and socialised correctly
from birth, you can share your home with them free from worry that
they will be aggressive or spread disease.
There are many varieties of rat
with differing coat and eye colours. These include white,
cinnamon, blue and parti-coloured coats with dark or pink eyes.
Male rats are called bucks,
females are does and babies are known as kittens. Their average
lifespan is about two and a half years.
Rats need company of their own kind, so it is unfair to keep one
on its own.
To avoid unwanted babies, the
best option is usually a pair or group of the same sex. Rats will
breed frequently from as early as five weeks old, producing a
litter of eight or more young each time. Females can become
pregnant again within 24 hours of giving birth.
The best place to buy a rat is from a reputable breeder and a baby
should be at least six weeks old. Make sure they have been
properly sexed and separated from the opposite sex by the time the
males are five weeks old. If you buy from a pet shop, staff should
be able to handle the rats confidently and show you how to sex
them. Make sure all animals in the shop are in clean, good-sized
cages with fresh food and water.
Rats need at least an hour's
exercise outside the cage every day and, while they make great
family pets, should not be looked after or handled by unsupervised
children.
Home comforts
The best home for your rats is a wire cage - the larger and taller
the better, as rats are active and love to climb. Hamster cages
are not big enough. A rat cage should be at least 50cm x 80cm
floor space, by 50cm tall. The floor should be solid rather than
wire, with a solid tray underneath, to avoid trapping and injuring
the animals' feet and limbs. Aquarium-style glass cages should not
be used, as the ventilation is inadequate.
Litter should be placed on the
floor to absorb ammonia from droppings. Good quality
dust-extracted wood shavings make the best base and can be bought
from most pet shops.
Avoid cedar-scented shavings as these can cause health problems.
Cat litter is unsuitable as bedding but can be used in your rat's
litter tray. Litter training your rats will help to keep their
cage clean. Your rats also need a nest box where they can sleep
and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet. A cardboard box with shredded
paper bedding is ideal. They also enjoy a hammock hanging in their
cage - this can easily be made from an old towel or similar
material. Rats are susceptible to extreme cold and heat
dehydration, both of which can be fatal, so make sure the cage is
in a suitable environment away from direct sunlight and draughts.
Food for thought
Rats are omnivores and thrive on a varied diet that includes
grains, vegetables and a protein source such as dry dog food.
Commercial mixes are available from pet shops.
While rats are fond of titbits and household scraps, do not let
them become too fat.
They enjoy occasional pieces of fruit, vegetables, peanuts and
sunflower seeds, but these can cause skin problems, so should be a
rare treat. Fresh, clean water must always be available. If a
water bottle is used it should be cleaned, refilled, and checked
daily to ensure it is not blocked or leaking.
Health matters
Check your rat daily for any general signs of ill health, such as
loss of appetite or lethargy.
One of the most common problems in rats is infectious respiratory
disease, but this can only be passed from one rat to another - it
cannot affect other species or humans.
Be wary of buying a rat from an environment where there are many
other rats, particularly if any of them have rapid or noisy
breathing.
Red discharge around the eyes or nose is a sign of illness and
stress, although the redness is not blood but a natural pigment in
the mucus. Some rats develop tumours as they get older - these are
more common in females.
While rats can be easily castrated, it is generally only necessary
to prevent unwanted breeding or to stop the occasional aggression
towards other rats or humans.
Rats are naturally very clean and spend a lot of time grooming
themselves, although some may need their tails cleaned
occasionally. This should be done gently with mild animal shampoo.
If you are worried about any change in your rat's health, consult
your vet.
Exercise and entertainment
Rats need at least an hour's playtime outside the cage every day,
but you must first make the room safe and rat-proof! Keep doors
and windows closed and block cracks in floorboards, as rats can
get through seemingly impassable gaps. Keep house plants out of
the way, as some are poisonous. Electric cables should be passed
through piping so they cannot be chewed. Rats may enjoy toys such
as pieces of plastic drainpipe or cardboard boxes, but avoid
wheels with spokes as they can cause serious injury.
Company
Rats naturally live in social groups so it is unfair to keep one
alone. A same-sex pair or group will be much happier and two rats
cost little more to keep than one.
Getting to know you
Rats handled correctly from soon after birth will enjoy the
experience. To help them get used to you, try carrying them around
the house inside your jumper! Never pick up a rat by its tail as
this can cause injury. Instead, put one hand underneath its chest
behind its forelegs, and support the hindlegs with your other
hand, holding but not squeezing.
Children will enjoy handling rats, but must be supervised to make
sure they do not hold them too tightly.
Rats as children's pets
Rats make good companions for children and adults. However, they
do need daily social interaction and time out of their cage, so it
is important all members of the family are keen on the idea of
keeping rats as pets. Rats need larger cages than the smaller
rodents but, being larger, they are easier to handle than small
rodents. As with all children's pets, it is important that an
adult is responsible for ensuring the rats receive the attention
and care they require.
Don't forget...
Keep your rats in same-sex pairs or groups
Be prepared to spend at least an hour a day handling your rats
and letting them exercise outside their cage, in safe surroundings
It is important not to overfeed - a fit rat is healthier and
should live longer than a fat rat
Rats are one of the cleanest pets you can own and do not pose
health threats to people or other animals.
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