General Information:
Despite having a generally negative reputation, domesticated rats make incredible pets and seem to be one of the few animals that rarely display stereotypical behaviours in captivity. The most commonly kept pet rat is the Norwegian/Norway brown rat. Despite what their name suggests, the Norwegian rat didn’t originate in Norway, they're believed to have originated in China. Norwegian rats are also referred to as the common rat, Parisian rat, sewer rat, street rat, Hanover rat – the list goes on. Pet owners commonly call their domesticated rats ‘fancy rats’.
Rats are known for their abilities to adapt and thrive in most environments around the world - even in places they're unwelcome, therefore, they’re considered pests by most people. Their truly omnivorous diet means they’re often found where humans are. In fact, some surveys estimate there is as may rat as people in some cities.
Overall, rats are generally nocturnal but as they only sleep in short bursts, they will be seen during daylight hours and often adapt their sleep schedule to their owner's.
Rats form incredibly strong bonds with their owners and are known for their intelligent, interactive, and large personalities – they’re even able to recognize individual humans.
Did you know?
Rats are often considered to be one of the top 10 most intelligent animals in the world. The ability to think about thinking is called metacognition. Rats, like humans, can make decisions based on what they do and don’t know. Studies have further suggested rats are self-aware and have emotional, numerical, and temporal intelligence.
Care:
Socialising:
Rats are active, social, and intelligent rodents, so keeping them happy and healthy can take more work than some other small pets, but high-quality care is very achievable. Rats must be kept in at least pairs; a group of rats is known as a mischief.
We rarely see rats unable to find companionship. They're more commonly isolated because of ill health than behavioural reasons.
Hormonal aggression is more commonly seen in bucks (males), 9/10 times, castration will help and can enable the rat to live amongst does (females) if they're still unwilling to live with males.
Human interaction is also important for rats, they’ve even been known to beg for human attention. We advise you spend several hours numerous times a week interacting outside of the cage with your rats. We also advise plenty of inside-of-the-cage interaction too.
Useful Links:
Housing/Enrichment:
When considering your rat's environment, it’s important to remember that rats are very inquisitive animals with strong explorative instincts. Their high intelligence can make them prone to boredom too.
We recommend large cages full of enrichment that satisfy a rat’s natural behaviours.
Generally, the minimum space for two rats is H 72cm x W 32cm x L 44cm, but bigger is always better for healthy rats.
Rats are very prone to respiratory diseases. Keeping a clean cage alongside dust-free cardboard bedding can significantly reduce the symptoms and onset of respiratory diseases.
We have 3 types of cage cleans; spot cleans, deep cleans, full cleans;
Rats can also be litter trained, so we use a recycled paper-based litter within litter trays, you will have far more success litter training a rat when the litter is a different a substrate to the main bedding and nesting material.
Toys for the cage can include:
Despite having a generally negative reputation, domesticated rats make incredible pets and seem to be one of the few animals that rarely display stereotypical behaviours in captivity. The most commonly kept pet rat is the Norwegian/Norway brown rat. Despite what their name suggests, the Norwegian rat didn’t originate in Norway, they're believed to have originated in China. Norwegian rats are also referred to as the common rat, Parisian rat, sewer rat, street rat, Hanover rat – the list goes on. Pet owners commonly call their domesticated rats ‘fancy rats’.
Rats are known for their abilities to adapt and thrive in most environments around the world - even in places they're unwelcome, therefore, they’re considered pests by most people. Their truly omnivorous diet means they’re often found where humans are. In fact, some surveys estimate there is as may rat as people in some cities.
Overall, rats are generally nocturnal but as they only sleep in short bursts, they will be seen during daylight hours and often adapt their sleep schedule to their owner's.
Rats form incredibly strong bonds with their owners and are known for their intelligent, interactive, and large personalities – they’re even able to recognize individual humans.
Did you know?
Rats are often considered to be one of the top 10 most intelligent animals in the world. The ability to think about thinking is called metacognition. Rats, like humans, can make decisions based on what they do and don’t know. Studies have further suggested rats are self-aware and have emotional, numerical, and temporal intelligence.
Care:
Socialising:
Rats are active, social, and intelligent rodents, so keeping them happy and healthy can take more work than some other small pets, but high-quality care is very achievable. Rats must be kept in at least pairs; a group of rats is known as a mischief.
We rarely see rats unable to find companionship. They're more commonly isolated because of ill health than behavioural reasons.
Hormonal aggression is more commonly seen in bucks (males), 9/10 times, castration will help and can enable the rat to live amongst does (females) if they're still unwilling to live with males.
Human interaction is also important for rats, they’ve even been known to beg for human attention. We advise you spend several hours numerous times a week interacting outside of the cage with your rats. We also advise plenty of inside-of-the-cage interaction too.
Useful Links:
- www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/rats/company
- journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0240439
Housing/Enrichment:
When considering your rat's environment, it’s important to remember that rats are very inquisitive animals with strong explorative instincts. Their high intelligence can make them prone to boredom too.
We recommend large cages full of enrichment that satisfy a rat’s natural behaviours.
Generally, the minimum space for two rats is H 72cm x W 32cm x L 44cm, but bigger is always better for healthy rats.
Rats are very prone to respiratory diseases. Keeping a clean cage alongside dust-free cardboard bedding can significantly reduce the symptoms and onset of respiratory diseases.
We have 3 types of cage cleans; spot cleans, deep cleans, full cleans;
- Spot cleans are performed every 1-2 days depending on how many rats and how clean they keep their environment on a day-to-day basis. Spot cleans help prevent the build-up of ammonia that occurs in the break down of urea. We clean all areas that need cleaning as and when. For example, if the wheel is particularly dirty one day, then we will clean it, if not, save it for the following day. Cleaning out the litter tray also comes under spot cleaning; IME litter trays will contain mostly faeces.
- Deep cleans consist of changing bedding, taking out all plastic toys, scrubbing the bars and washing the ropes to a high standard. We usually do every 5-10 days, depending on the number of rats in the cage.
- Full cleans consists of vigorously cleaning the entirety of the cage with strong disinfectants. This is every-other cage clean and ensures we don’t miss any areas.
Rats can also be litter trained, so we use a recycled paper-based litter within litter trays, you will have far more success litter training a rat when the litter is a different a substrate to the main bedding and nesting material.
Toys for the cage can include:
- Large solid floored wheel
- Nesting areas such as hammocks, sputniks, secure houses, baskets
- Nesting material such as shredded paper, fleece strips
- Objects to climb such as ropes, tubes, wine racks, scarf holders, branches, ladders
- Chew toys
- Digging-boxes.
Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/721913015256540918/
Credit: https://www.reddit.com/r/RATS/comments/fn49by/cage_clean_out_day_for_the_adults_here_which/
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Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/164099980158809279/
Credit: https://www.oio-7.top/products.aspx?cname=build+your+own+rat+cage&cid=42
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Diet:
A rat’s diet can be considered one of the most important aspects of their care – rats love to eat. A balanced and healthy diet helps promote a long and happy life.
A typical rat food usually comes in one of two forms: a rat pellet/block, or a food mix.
Useful Links:
Please feel free to ask more questions.
A rat’s diet can be considered one of the most important aspects of their care – rats love to eat. A balanced and healthy diet helps promote a long and happy life.
A typical rat food usually comes in one of two forms: a rat pellet/block, or a food mix.
- Rat pellets are designed to ensure that a rat gets their nutritional needs without potential selective feedings. Pellets can provide a good nutritional diet. The main downside is the lack of enrichment and fulfillment for our rats but can provide variety with occasional treats, wet meals, fruits and vegetables.
- Dry food mixes are more diverse and can allow your rat to display natural foraging behaviour for our pet rats and are, therefore, more enriching. Shop bought can be high in protein and fat.
- We prefer to mix our own shunamite-style rat food as it’s usually more cost-effective but, admittedly, less convenient. Mixing your own rat food allows you to personalise your mix as and when rats are ageing and managing certain health issues with dietary amendments. Be mindful that some mixes do require supplements as well.
Useful Links:
- ratrations.co.uk/food/pre-mixed-and-pet-specific-foods/rat-mixtures
- www.isamurats.co.uk/options-for-dry-mixes.html
- shunamiterats.co.uk/
Please feel free to ask more questions.