Rats
CARE Sheet
Rat
(Rattus norvegicus / Brown or Norwegian Rat)
Origin:Asia / Worldwide
Asia / WorldwideSize:7-9" long
7-9" longPet Status:Excellent
ExcellentLife span:2-4 years
2-4 yearsBreeding ability: Excellent. Gestation period of 20-22 days; average litter 6-16 babies
Compatibility with other species:Not recommended
Not recommendedFeeding:Seed Mixture & vitamin supplements, limited fruits & vegetables
Seed Mixture & vitamin supplements, limited fruits & vegetables Bio:
Rats often receive a bad press and many people are scared of them. However, fancy rats are completely different from wild rats. Don’t be taken in by all you read and hear – they make really wonderful pets and delightful companions. Some people say they don’t like rat’s tails; but cats, dogs and rabbits all have tails - and rat’s tails are just the right size and shape for them.
All fancy rats are really friendly, not to mention very smart, affectionate and playful! They’re very social animals and get lonely and unhappy if they are kept alone. They’re easy to look after so it’s best to get a pair. Two boys or two girls from the same litter will be really happy together. But remember that a boy and a girl will have babies.
Rats like lots of space to climb and race about in; so get a big, tall cage to keep them happy. They need a solid floor as it will save them injuring their feet; but don’t give them a wooden cage or they’ll gnaw their way out of it! A converted aquarium (Vivarium) or aviary would make them a good home. Rats would much prefer to be indoors with you, but they’d be OK in a warm outhouse or shed if there’s really nowhere suitable in the house - but you must visit and play with them every day or they’ll fret.
General diet:
Rats need feeding once a day, every day. A good quality, heavy, earthenware food bowl is essential to keep the food dry and clean, and prevent the rat from tipping the food on to the floor of the cage.
Rats need a good quality rat mix that does not contain nuts or seeds as these can cause spots and skin problems. Too much green food will cause diarrhoa. If you feed your rat human food, remember to avoid foods that are high in calories, sugary or contain too much fat.
Feed the recommended daily amount for your rat, to avoid over-feeding, selective feeding or obesity. You must check where your rat hoards food and remove any old and stale food from those areas.
Treats/extra foods:
Treats are so called because that’s just what they should be – a “treat”. If fed correctly they are not detrimental to a rat and the rat will love them. However, treats are designed to be an extremely small element of the animal’s diet, and overfeeding may lead to health problems such as obesity, dental problems and heart disease.
Some natural Treats you can provide for your rat are parsley, carrot, apple, celery, broccoli, sprouts, cauliflower, kale, spinach, peas, tomatoes, banana and cucumber.
Too much green food will cause diarrhea. If you feed your rat human food, remember to avoid foods that are high in calories, sugary or contain too much fat.
Rats’ teeth grow continuously so they need to gnaw hard material to prevent them from becoming overgrown.
Vitamins/supplements:
A balanced diet should provide all the vitamins your rat needs. If your rat begins selective feeding (eating only certain things from its seed mix while discarding everything else) or if you just want to be absolutley sure your pet is getting what it needs, multivitamins are available.
Housing:
Rats can be housed in a wire cage with a plastic base (just keep in mind that they love to chew), a plastic rat home or a large vivarium with a well-ventilated cover. Wooden cages should not be used as rats will chew their way out! The important thing to remember is that a rat home can never be too big, as they love to explore and exercise. Multi-level cages are a good idea as they add interest for the rat. They love to hide and climb, so sisal rope, a large rat wheel and a place for them to rest above the ground are ideal. They also need a large run where they can play and exercise.
Rats are best kept indoors and careful thought should be given to where your rat’s home is situated. The temperature in the room should be constant, away from direct sunlight and draughts, and out of the reach of any other pets. A rat’s hearing is extremely sensitive so he should be situated away from loud noises.
Sanitation/General care:
Use bedding materials that are clean, non-toxic, absorbent, dust free and easily replaced. Some bedding materials are wood shavings (Aspen or kiln dried pine NO CEDAR), shredded paper, processed ground corn cob or commercial pellets. Provide a house or other structure where the pig can hide when frightened or tired. Keep the cage on a stand or sturdy table away from cold, damp areas, out of direct sunlight and drafts.
General Maintenance:
Clean the cage thoroughly with hot water at least once each week. Always remove non-eaten greens, fruits and vegetables at the end of each way and wash all food dishes with hot water at least twice weekly. Make sure that a constant supply of fresh water is available at all times. You can also place toys, ladders, blocks and other materials in their cages to encourage this type of activity.
Health care:
Rats are hardy animals and rarely get sick, however if not taken care of properly, they can become ill. Signs that an animal is not feeling well include listlessness, a dull matted coat, refusing to eat, labored breathing, runny nose, watery eyes and constipation. In most cases medications are available at your pet store, in some cases a trip to the vet may be required.
Taming/handling:
To ensure that your rat becomes tame and affectionate it is important that you handle it frequently and correctly. Picking up a rat incorrectly could lead to your rat being permanently frightened and may lead to it becoming aggressive.
Remember that most small animals are prey in the wild. So, if they are approached from above they will see a large shadow and become scared. They might run and hide or try to attack you.
Before attempting to handle your rat, make sure he is awake and alert or he might be scared and try to bite you. Talking to your rat makes him aware that you are close by and wanting to socialise. Always approach your rat calmly and gently. Once your rat knows you are near, place a closed fist in front of it and allow it to approach. If he is confident and appears interested, slowly unclench your first and open your hand to allow him to craw on to your palm. If he does not approach you, gently scoop him up and cup him in the palm of your two hands to ensure he is safe and won’t be dropped.
To ensure he is safe at all times, you should hold him over your lap or close to your chest. Never squeeze or tighten your grip during handling. Never try to pick up your rat by the tail as this could lead to injury and he might become aggressive.
If your rat wriggles during transportation, it is advisable to place him in a container to avoid any accidents.
Supplies checklist:
¨Appropriately sized cage
Appropriately sized cage¨Food bowls and water bottle
Food bowls and water bottle¨Bedding
Bedding¨High Quality Seed Mix
High Quality Seed Mix¨Timothy hay
Timothy hay¨Vitamin supplements
Vitamin supplements¨Hiding place and/or nesting box
Hiding place and/or nesting box¨Chew sticks and toys
Chew sticks and toys¨Book on the raising and training of Rats
Book on the raising and training of RatsOne Stop
Country Pet Supply
Rats
We have a large selection of rats available for sale.
