RATS; THE WORLDS MOST UNDERRATED PET

 As a life long owner of pet rats, it surprises me how many people still see rats as sewer dwelling, diseased carriers of the Bubonic plague. Quite the contrary, rats are notorious for being clean, social animals that rarely bite. Incredibly smart, rats are easily trained to use use a littler box, do tricks, and even come when you call. The smartest of my personal pet rats aren't even caged. They waltz around with the cat and the dogs. Watching T.V. on the couch, and joining the family for spaghetti dinners served on her own little saucer. These are sweet, loving critters with individual personalities.

 Often mistakenly called a "pack", a group of rats is called a mischief. Left in the wild, they will stay in groups. Unlike hamsters or gerbils, rats are not content in being alone. They are happiest and behave best when handled regularly by their owners. Even regular interaction between you, wont leave your rat totally satisfied. At least one cage mate is highly recommended. While you don't want to overcrowd a cage intended for one animal, rats are happy to share the space. They amuse, occupy and comfort each other at the times you’re not or can’t be around.

The above pictured is almost perfect in my book. The only changes I would make is a larger water bottle and a few cage mates. Rats are naturally curious and playful. The enjoy climbing and exploring. A wire cage is always best, allowing them to climb around easily. Tubes, tunnels, hammocks, stoops, ladders, and toys are all excellent additions. Water bottle, food dish, and an igloo (or home of some kind) are essential. Avoid Cedar or Pine litters, they cause respiratory disease and can shorten the life of your new friend dramatically.

Almost anything! Rats are omnivores and therefore most eat both animal and vegetable derived foods. Adult rats should be given some grains, vegetables and protein every day for optimum health.
Grains could be in the form of wholegrain brown rice, oats, millet or whole meal bread; rats will eat most fresh vegetables and their protein could be provided in the form of lean scraps of meat, fish or even dog food. For snacks you could give them a rodent mix brought from your local pet store.

If you cannot provide them with fresh food they can still have a nutritionally balanced diet by giving them rat food mix brought from the pet store. Although these mixes claim to be ‘complete’ and include all the constituents that make up a healthy diet, they will only be ‘complete’ if your rat eats all of components, which is not very likely, your rat will probably pick out his favorite bits and leave the rest! If this does happen then you need to give fresh vegetables such as potatoes, peas, carrots etc and snacks of fresh fruit such as apples, grapes, strawberries and bananas, also some protein in the form of dog food or they will eat cooked meat. Rats will also enjoy having your table scraps but be wary if these are fatty or full of sugar.

Treats such as sunflower seeds and peanuts should be kept for special treats and not be included in their daily diet..

Rats like to rummage for their food and if you only provide them with complete blocks of rat food they will become bored and won’t have the opportunity to select their favorites!

It is essential that you provide fresh water on a daily basis and that this available for your rat at all times. The easiest way to enable them to drink is by using a drip feed bottle attached securely to the side of the cage, the bottle should be emptied and re-filled every day.

You can give water in a bowl but the chances are it will be knocked over or bedding and food will end up in it, if your rat is unwell he may find it difficult to drink from a drip bottle so then a bowl would be best, you’ll just have to clean the mess up frequently. It is also worth putting a bowl inside the cage occasionally to enable your rat to wash.

 Rats have large litters and can reproduce at an incredible rate. Do not mix male and females in one cage unless your prepared for dozens and dozens of cutie pies!! The little pink wigglers get fuzzy and cute in no time. In the first weeks it can be difficult to determine male from female. When separating, look closely, Any oversight can have you running your own pet store!  Determining gender is very easy after those first few weeks. See for yourself.

 I personally love rats and only want to raise awareness of these tiny little friends. I buy mine from pet stores that sell them as food, and as I get to know them it breaks my heart that other great rats were never given such a chance. You can buy a suitable cage, litter, water bottle, food, toys and accessories plus a couple of rats for around $80.00.  If you have a bird cage around already, then you're looking at closer to $25.00.  These little guys are stated to live approximately 3 yrs, but I have had many live 5. Its worth taking a closer look, you may be surprised at what your missing.  I must add a few more photos that are simply too cute to miss.