Rats are typically gentle, intelligent, & fun pets. While they are generally low maintenance, they do have certain requirements to keep them happy & healthy. There are many breeds & 40 recognized colors & markings of rats. The most common types of pet rats include:
- Standard
- Rex
- Hairless
- Satin
- Dumbo
- Tailless
Rats are social creature that enjoy the company of other rats. They can be housed with other same-sex rats or, if spayed or neutered, rats of the opposite sex. They are mostly active at night, but often enjoy time out during the day for play & enrichment. Pet rats typically live 2-4 years, but the longest living pet rat reached 7 years old!
Rat Housing
Enclosures are the first important component to keeping pet rats healthy. Rats can be escape artists, so housing should be solidly constructed to prevent runaways. The appropriate size for the cage is dependent on how many rats are living together. The minimum size enclosure for a single adult rat is 2 ft x 2 ft x 1 ft. The floor should be solid metal or plastic (never wire) with enough room to allow normal rat behaviors, such as burrowing, nesting, exploring, & exercising.
Carefresh bedding, fleece fabric, recycled newspaper, & shredded paper are appropriate substrates for pet rats & should be kept 0.5-1 inch deep. Never use pine or cedar, which can cause health issues due to toxicity. The bedding should be spot cleaned daily & completely changed 1-2 times a week.
Mesh tops should be firmly affixed to prevent escape, & aquariums should be avoided due to increased odors that can accumulate.
Rats are very intelligent & enjoy multiple toys, hideaways, & things to climb. Hideaways are important for rats to feel safe & to nest, while toys can double as ways to wear down their constantly-growing teeth. Rotate a variety of these items for increased enrichment & to decrease boredom. They may enjoy an exercise wheel, as long as it has a solid floor to prevent injury. Toys can include:
- Cardboard boxes
- Shredded paper
- Paper towel & toilet paper rolls & other tubes
- Commercially available pet rat wood chews to help wear teeth appropriately
- Hammocks
Some rats can be trained to urinate & defecate in one area, but this is not always the case. If your pet rat typically goes to the bathroom in a certain area of the cage, make sure to keep the water bottle & food bowl on the opposite side of the enclosure.
While pet rats are mostly tolerant of temperature & humidity changes, they should ideally be kept between 65- & 80-degrees Fahrenheit & between 40-70% humidity.
Foods for Rats
Pet rats are omnivores & generally thrive on high-quality pellets with some fresh vegetables, fruits, & small amounts of lean animal meat like chicken. Pet rats may enjoy apples, pears, banana, citrus, broccoli, endive, bok choy, celery, berries, & peas. High-quality, veterinarian-recommended pellet diets include Oxbow & Mazuri Mouse & Rat Food.
Diets with seeds should be avoided, as they are high in fat, which can cause obesity, while being devoid of important nutrients.
Make sure fresh water is available & refreshed daily. Glass water bottles are preferred over plastic because they are easier to clean & less likely to harbor bacteria.
Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for food, especially if your rat is under- or overweight. Typically, 5-10 g of pellets per 100 g of body weight is a good estimate for rats.
Rat Medical Needs
Just like all pets, rats do require examinations by a veterinarian, at least once a year. Typically, the first signs of a sick rat are weight loss & decreased appetite, but owners may also see changes in stool quality, lethargy, & physical abnormalities like overgrown teeth, lumps over the skin, & hair loss. Rats are also susceptible to respiratory illness, so sneezing & increased respiration are reasons to take a pet rat to the vet.
Because they are prone to obesity, checking your pet rat’s weight weekly is important. Work with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate weight for your rat. In addition to obesity, common rat diseases include:
- Respiratory infection
- Mammary tumors
- Dental issues, including overgrown teeth
- Skin parasites
- Dermatitis
A healthy rat should be alert & active, with clear & bright eyes. They are naturally inquisitive–sniffing & exploring their environment. They should not sneeze, have any nasal or ocular discharge, & should breathe comfortably. The hair coat should be smooth & free of any lesions or lumps. The teeth should be properly worn down with no signs of overgrowth or asymmetry.
Most veterinarians recommend exams every 6-12 months, including bloodwork & fecal parasite testing, to keep pet rats as healthy as possible.
Rat Cleaning Needs
Rats keep themselves very clean all on their own! They do not require any bathing unless they are sick & unable to clean themselves. In this case, work with your veterinarian to determine the best method to keep your pet rat clean & sanitary. If your pet is having fecal buildup or urine scalding in the rear end, talk to your veterinarian to determine the next best steps.
Rats typically have very little odor as long as their enclosure is properly cleaned. Bedding should be replaced daily as needed, with a thorough cage cleaning every 3-7 days. Make sure your rat is not inside the enclosure during cleaning & allow the enclosure to properly dry, as noxious chemicals & fumes can be irritating to a rat’s respiratory system.
Water bottles & food bowls should be cleaned daily & provided fresh.
Rat Handling
Most rats are very amenable to handling, especially over time & with training. Use one hand to support under the rib cage & back, while using the other hand to scoop & support the rear end.
Rats do not typically bite, but young or new pet rats may do so when frightened. You may start less socialized animals with short, frequent interactions. Positive reinforcement with treats may help associate handling with good feelings & pleasant experiences.
Pet rats require at least 30 minutes out of their cage to exercise each day. They easily fit into small places, so care must be used to keep them safe when they are out of their enclosure. They are also prey species for other common pets, like dogs & cats, so keep them separate from rats during this time. Exercise balls should not be used as a rat’s toes & feet can easily become caught & cause injury.
Rats can carry some zoonotic, or spreadable-to-humans, diseases, such as:
- Rat bite fever
- Salmonella
- Leptospirosis
- Skin parasites
- Hanta virus
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
If your pet rat is sick, make sure to talk to your veterinarian sooner rather than later. As a prey species, they may hide their illness until it is progressed. Always talk to your human medical provider with any concerns regarding zoonotic diseases.
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