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When you make a decision to get a pet, there are
many things to consider. Among these are things such as if the pet you have selected will be right for your family, and if
you will have the ability to properly care for your new friend. Rats are excellent choices as pets. They are very friendly,
curious, intelligent, and outgoing. They also love to be held and played with. All these things combine to make them a wonderful
choice as a pet.
When you first decide to get a pet rat, there are things to look
for. First, try to find a breeder in your area. Here in the Northwest, there are many. Their animals tend to be well socialized
and healthier than a pet store rat. There is nothing wrong with pet store rats, really, they just tend to have not been handled
much, and are not always as healthy as a breeder's rats.
Once you've found a breeder, contact them. Many have web sites up, and
will list available babies on their site. These babies will be in a variety of colors and body types. Now that you've contacted
the breeder, arrange for a visit to their rattery, if at all possible. Some do not allow people to visit their ratteries,
because of the risk of someone bringing sickness in. Or if you can't find a breeder, then go to your pet store, and ask to
handle the rats they have.
The best choice, at breeder or petstore, is the
rat that doesn't hide from you, and is not very scared. Most of the time, there will be one that will come right up to your
hand. Pick up the rat you are thinking about getting. Examine it, look for red discharge around the eyes and nose, notice
if it seems to be suffering from diarrhea, and listen to its breathing. Its breathing should be easy and inaudible,and it
should be clean. The habitat you are taking it from should also be clean, and not too crowded.
Once you have your new friend, or preferably two, as
rats do better in groups, at home, set it up in its new habitat. This habitat should be large, about 24" by 18" by 24" for
two rats,( bigger is better ), and you should have the right kind of bedding in it. This means no pine or cedar, as these
can cause respitory problems for your ratty friends. I personally use Carefresh, which is a recycled paper product.
Other breeders I know use Aspen, which, while it is a wood type, doesn't have the fragrance oils that cause problems like
pine and cedar do. You should have a good heavy food dish that they can't tip over, and a water bottle on the side of the
cage so they always have fresh water. The cage should have many toys and hiding places, as rats love to play, and like to
sleep in hidden areas.
As for type of food, you can look at www.ratsrule.com/diet.html for a homemade rat diet mix. There are commercial diets available for rats, but these sometimes have too much of some things
your rat needs and not enough of others. Many have lots of seeds and nuts in them, and these are very fattening. Also, with
commercial diets, your rats may just pick out their favorite items, and not eat the rest. Like all of us, they don't always
do what is best for them.
As far as handling your rat(s), give it some time to adjust to its
new surroundings. No matter how social and friendly they are, in a new situation, they are going to be nervous. Some will
settle right away, others take some time. It is best not to handle your new friend for a few hours after getting
them home. Once they've settled, then you can start handling them. When you are trying to catch them to pick them up, never
grab them by the tail- they don't like it, and it can make them afraid, as well as hurt them. Put your hand under their belly,
and lift them that way. They feel much safer, and you have a better chance of keeping them from getting away.
All rats enjoy time out of their cage, whether it's in your lap, or free
ranging over an area. If you have other pets, such as cats or dogs, free ranging may not be the best idea, unless you can
set up a safe area for your rat(s). Many people will set up a table top with things for their rat to climb on, in and around.
Others will let them run on their bed. Still others set up whole rooms that are safe for their ratty friends to play in. You should be cleaning your rat's cage at least once a week, more often if you have more rats in
the cage. Out of cage time is a great time for this.
Now, rats can develop health problems that require the
attention of a vet. You need to have a vet in your area that you trust, that has taken care of rats before. This will cost
you some money, but it is money well spent, as you will find out. The average cost to take care of two rats for a year, given
that no unforseen health problems arise, is around $500. This includes bedding, food, and toys. If vet bills come up, you
can double or triple that amount quite easily.
The last thing I have to say is Enjoy your new rat! They will be a wonderful
friend and companion for you their whole life!
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