Caring for a Rat
Rats are clean, intelligent pets with affectionate personalities. They love to interact with their human family and can be taught a variety of tricks. They are very social, and we recommend that they have at least one same sex rat companion to interact with.
General Care
Rats need daily attention to become trusting and easy to handle. Offering food from your hand and avoiding loud noises and sudden movements will help to build confidence, and soon your rat will enjoy being held. At least 1 hour a day of exercise outside the cage is essential for optimal health and is great fun for the whole family.
Housing
Choose as large a cage as possible for your rats, at least 18” X 36”, with several levels and room for toys such as a solid exercise wheel, ladders, tubes, and a hammock. The floor should be solid, as prolonged walking on wire can injure rats' feet. Place the cage out of direct sunlight and drafts, in an area with family activity. Cover the floor with safe bedding such as Carefresh or KT Clean and Cozy. For your rats' comfort, add a nest box filled with bedding or shredded paper. Avoid using a wheel for your rat; wire wheels can injure tail and toes, and most wheels that fit into a cage are too small for a rat’s long body.
Diet
A healthy diet consists of 80% formulated rat food and 20% fresh vegetables and fruit. Dry food should always be available in a dish. Baby rats can have a piece of red or green leaf lettuce the size of a nickel or three pieces of grated vegetable (like broccoli or sweet potato) three times a week. Gradually increase the amount over time to avoid diarrhea. Remember to provide a sipper bottle filled with fresh water daily. Healthy treats can be offered in moderation.
Cleaning
Scoop soiled areas as needed. Remove all bedding and wash the entire cage, food bowls, and water bottle weekly with a safe small animal cage cleaner. Always rinse and dry the cage thoroughly before adding fresh bedding.
Fertility
Rats can reach sexual maturity by five weeks old. It is important that they are accurately sexed and separated before 5 weeks of age to prevent health risks and unwanted babies.
Health
Find an exotics veterinarian experienced in treating rats before you have an emergency. Be observant and consult your vet if you notice signs of illness or injury such as: discharge from the eyes or nose, diarrhea, sneezing, wheezing, monkeylike sounds, or other noisy breathing, head tilting, lumps, excessive scratching, difficulty urinating or blood in urine.
Warnings
Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they contain components that may cause irritation to skin and the respiratory tract. Even aspen pellets or paper bedding with high dust content should be avoided.
Companion animals are potential carriers of infectious diseases that can be passed to humans. Taking these simple precautions can help prevent the potential spread of diseases:
- Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet and/or habitat contents
- Carry hand sanitizer when venturing outside of your home with pet
- Do not kiss or let your mouth come into contact with your pet
- Keep your companion’s habitat, water & food bowls, décor, and other surfaces as clean as possible and remove droppings daily
Pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should speak with their physician when considering a new pet. For more information regarding pets and disease, go to the Center for Disease Control at cdc.gov/healthypets/. The information provided on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. It is strongly advised to seek further information on the care of your animal. In the event of serious health concerns please consult your veterinarian.
Recommended Supplies at Your Local Kahoots
- Oxbow Rat Food
- KT or Oasis 8oz Water Bottle
- Ceramic food bowl
- Kahoots Probiotics
- KT, Higgins, or Oxbow Rodent Treats
- Oxbow Wood Chews
- KT Hiding Huts
- Bunny toss toys
- Carefresh Bedding
- Kahoots Organic Stain and Odor Remover
Addition Recommended Supplies
- 3-story Critter Cage
- Hammock