Tag Archives: pet rats

Pet Rat Feeding

Your rats will need a varied diet in order to stay healthy and happy. The basics: Your local pet store should carry a variety of pellet or block style diets for rats. These are formulated to make sure the rat gets all the nutrients he needs. Check the ingredients list when you’re shopping. Look for a rat food that is low in fat and calories, and has soy meal high on the ingredients list (instead of corn). Loose mixes are also available at pet stores, but your rats may pick out the things they like best and leave the rest … Continue reading →

Pet Rat Housing

You decided a rat was the right pet for you and your family. You found a curious, healthy, happy rat from a breeder, store, or shelter. Now it’s time to set up your new pet’s new home! When it comes to cages, bigger is always better. Your rats will want to explore and play, and will need room to do it! Look for a tall cage with lots of ramps, platforms, and hammocks for the rats to play on. Wire cages are good for climbing, but make sure the flooring is solid. Spending time on wire flooring can cause foot … Continue reading →

Picking A Pet Rat

If you think a rat is the right pet for your family, how do you pick the right one? You have several options for where you get your rat. Pet stores may or may not be a good choice, depending on how knowledgeable the staff is about rat care in general. Check the housing — make sure males and females are housed separately, or you may get a surprise litter after you get your pet rat home. Young rats should be handled regularly. Breeders (also known as ratteries) are a great place to find a well socialized young rat. A … Continue reading →

Pet Rats: The Basics

Not ready for a large, free-roaming pet, but don’t want something scaly or slimy? Pet rats can be a good compromise. Pet rats typically live between two and three years. Males (bucks) tend to be larger than females (does), but the average rat is between nine and eleven inches long in the body. A rat’s tail can add another eight inches of length! Several different varieties of rats are available as pets, including long-haired, short-haired, hairless, and even tailless! Rats are social animals, so it’s a good idea to keep them in same-sex pairs or same-sex groups. Males or females … Continue reading →