Basic Rat Care
General Pet Rat Info
Lifespan: 2-3 Years on Average
Size: 6"-12" long
Weight: 200-600 grams
Social Behavior
Size: 6"-12" long
Weight: 200-600 grams
Social Behavior
- Rats require same-sex groups of 2 or more to thrive
- Large, wire cage
- 360-degree ventilation
- 2.5 cubic feet of space minimum
- Plenty of accessories
- Fleece liners
- Commercial paper bedding
- Recycled newspaper
- Aspen
- Climbing & foraging toys
- Wood chews & nesting material
- Hideaways, Hammocks & Tunnels
- Rats are Opportunistic Omnivores
- Free-Feed staple diet of healthy lab blocks, grains, vegetables, and fruit.
- Respiratory distress
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Tumors, strokes & seizures
- Weekly cage cleaning
- Daily playtime/interaction
Basic Rat Care
Social Behavior
Pet rats are very social animals and must live in same-sex groups of 2 or more in order to thrive. Keeping rats in groups of 3 or more is best, but the minimum requirement is 2. Both male and female (healthy) rats must be kept in at least pairs. Rats enjoy sharing food, cuddling, playing, and grooming with their cage mates. Rats may develop behavioral or health issues if they are kept solitary.
Rats may "fight" or squabble with each other over food, territory, cage accessories, etc. These are normal behaviors and can be considered fun or playful from the rat's point of view. It is stimulating for rats to engage in play fights and these should not be discouraged. There may be squeaks or chattering noises during play-fighting or squabbling, and it can be easy to mistake this for aggression or real fighting. The general rule for play-fighting is, "No Blood, No Foul."
Pet rats are very social animals and must live in same-sex groups of 2 or more in order to thrive. Keeping rats in groups of 3 or more is best, but the minimum requirement is 2. Both male and female (healthy) rats must be kept in at least pairs. Rats enjoy sharing food, cuddling, playing, and grooming with their cage mates. Rats may develop behavioral or health issues if they are kept solitary.
Rats may "fight" or squabble with each other over food, territory, cage accessories, etc. These are normal behaviors and can be considered fun or playful from the rat's point of view. It is stimulating for rats to engage in play fights and these should not be discouraged. There may be squeaks or chattering noises during play-fighting or squabbling, and it can be easy to mistake this for aggression or real fighting. The general rule for play-fighting is, "No Blood, No Foul."
Housing
A large cage with plenty of accessories, furniture and toys is the ideal type of housing for pet rats. Terrariums (tanks) are not ideal for long-term housing, as they can cause respiratory infections and do not provide adequate space for accessories. Rats require a large, wire cage with a plastic or metal base. A proper cage must be made of wire to allow proper 360-degree ventilation, and must be a minimum size of 2.5 cubic feet; but the bigger the better!
Generally, you should look for a cage with 1/2” spacing between the bars to prevent escape. Large adult males may be housed in cages with 1” bar spacing, but anything wider may allow escape.
Some commercial cages come with built-in or removable shelves or levels. A cage with plastic shelves, or no shelves, are both beneficial in their own ways. If your cage has wire shelves, you will need to cover the wire with cardboard, newspaper, or fleece to protect your rats' feet and prevent an infection called Bumblefoot.
A large cage with plenty of accessories, furniture and toys is the ideal type of housing for pet rats. Terrariums (tanks) are not ideal for long-term housing, as they can cause respiratory infections and do not provide adequate space for accessories. Rats require a large, wire cage with a plastic or metal base. A proper cage must be made of wire to allow proper 360-degree ventilation, and must be a minimum size of 2.5 cubic feet; but the bigger the better!
Generally, you should look for a cage with 1/2” spacing between the bars to prevent escape. Large adult males may be housed in cages with 1” bar spacing, but anything wider may allow escape.
Some commercial cages come with built-in or removable shelves or levels. A cage with plastic shelves, or no shelves, are both beneficial in their own ways. If your cage has wire shelves, you will need to cover the wire with cardboard, newspaper, or fleece to protect your rats' feet and prevent an infection called Bumblefoot.
Bedding
As with any pet rodent, rats require bedding material in the bottom of their cage. Bedding helps to absorb waste as well as provide nesting material for rats to forage and sleep in. The best types of bedding are aspen shavings, shredded paper pulp, newsprint/packing paper, or fleece liners. For new rat parents, loose bedding such as shredded paper or aspen shavings is recommended.
Avoid cedar, pine, softwood, clay cat litter, and any bedding containing baking soda. These can be very dangerous for your rats.
As with any pet rodent, rats require bedding material in the bottom of their cage. Bedding helps to absorb waste as well as provide nesting material for rats to forage and sleep in. The best types of bedding are aspen shavings, shredded paper pulp, newsprint/packing paper, or fleece liners. For new rat parents, loose bedding such as shredded paper or aspen shavings is recommended.
Avoid cedar, pine, softwood, clay cat litter, and any bedding containing baking soda. These can be very dangerous for your rats.
Cage Accessories
Rats are inside their cage at least 23 hours per day. You should attempt to make their home as stimulating and comfortable as possible by adding plenty of cage accessories; including levels, hammocks, hideaways, toys, nesting material, and chews.
Rats love physically stimulating toys meant for birds, such as ladders and perches to climb on, and things to tear apart and make into nesting material. Mentally stimulating toys are highly recommended as well, such as wood chews, foraging toys, treat dispensers, etc.
Hammocks are a great option for rat beds, as rats love to climb and be high up off the ground. Rats also love hiding cardboard boxes, plastic baskets, and igloos. The more places your rats have to hide, sleep and explore; the better. The general rule for adding hideaways and hammocks is: 1 hideaway/hammock per rat + 1.
Wheels are good for physical stimulation, if your rats choose to use them. If you choose to add an exercise wheel to your cage, look for a wheel at least 11” in diameter, and preferably made of plastic. Smaller wheels or wire wheels may damage a rat's feet or spine.
Rats are inside their cage at least 23 hours per day. You should attempt to make their home as stimulating and comfortable as possible by adding plenty of cage accessories; including levels, hammocks, hideaways, toys, nesting material, and chews.
Rats love physically stimulating toys meant for birds, such as ladders and perches to climb on, and things to tear apart and make into nesting material. Mentally stimulating toys are highly recommended as well, such as wood chews, foraging toys, treat dispensers, etc.
Hammocks are a great option for rat beds, as rats love to climb and be high up off the ground. Rats also love hiding cardboard boxes, plastic baskets, and igloos. The more places your rats have to hide, sleep and explore; the better. The general rule for adding hideaways and hammocks is: 1 hideaway/hammock per rat + 1.
Wheels are good for physical stimulation, if your rats choose to use them. If you choose to add an exercise wheel to your cage, look for a wheel at least 11” in diameter, and preferably made of plastic. Smaller wheels or wire wheels may damage a rat's feet or spine.
Feeding
Rats are Opportunistic Omnivorous Scavengers; which means they can eat just about anything! It’s very easy to keep your rat healthy by feeding them a good quality staple diet. Rats can even thrive from a vegetarian or vegan diet! A rat’s staple diet should consist of a high quality commercial lab block or a homemade mix of human-grade ingredients. Feeding your rats a high quality block or mix will ensure they maintain a healthy weight, and can even prevent common health risks such as tumors and seizures.
Many store-bought rat foods are not suitable for long term feeding, as they are either poor quality, or contain dangerous ingredients. You may need to purchase your rat food online in order to ensure they are getting a full range of nutrients. At the time of writing this, the best brands of rat blocks are Oxbow Adult Rat and Native Earth (Harlan Teklad) Rodent Diet.
Rats have incredibly fast metabolisms, and therefore must have 24/7 access to their staple diet. You will need to provide unlimited food to your rats daily. Provide approximately 1/2 cup of food per two rats every day and adjust* the amount you feed them according to how much they eat.
*For example, if you find large stashes of food in your rats' cage on cleaning day, measure out approximately how much food is leftover and adjust how much you feed them accordingly, so you won't be wasting food. If you notice there is no food leftover on cleaning day, provide more food throughout the week to ensure they are not going without food for any length of time.
Rats are Opportunistic Omnivorous Scavengers; which means they can eat just about anything! It’s very easy to keep your rat healthy by feeding them a good quality staple diet. Rats can even thrive from a vegetarian or vegan diet! A rat’s staple diet should consist of a high quality commercial lab block or a homemade mix of human-grade ingredients. Feeding your rats a high quality block or mix will ensure they maintain a healthy weight, and can even prevent common health risks such as tumors and seizures.
Many store-bought rat foods are not suitable for long term feeding, as they are either poor quality, or contain dangerous ingredients. You may need to purchase your rat food online in order to ensure they are getting a full range of nutrients. At the time of writing this, the best brands of rat blocks are Oxbow Adult Rat and Native Earth (Harlan Teklad) Rodent Diet.
Rats have incredibly fast metabolisms, and therefore must have 24/7 access to their staple diet. You will need to provide unlimited food to your rats daily. Provide approximately 1/2 cup of food per two rats every day and adjust* the amount you feed them according to how much they eat.
*For example, if you find large stashes of food in your rats' cage on cleaning day, measure out approximately how much food is leftover and adjust how much you feed them accordingly, so you won't be wasting food. If you notice there is no food leftover on cleaning day, provide more food throughout the week to ensure they are not going without food for any length of time.
Health
A healthy rat should have clear eyes and nostrils with little-to-no porphyrin, clear sounding lungs, no "lumps" under their skin, no scabs or wounds, a plump body; and a thick, full coat (excluding rex and hairless varieties).
Rats are very prone to reparatory problems such as upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, and mycoplasmosis; which, if left untreated, can worsen rapidly and become fatal. Providing a safe type of bedding, a well-ventilated wire cage, and keeping their cage clean, will all prevent your rats from experiencing respiratory problems.
Other health problems include tumors, strokes, bumblefoot, eye infections, hair loss, and mites. All of these things can all be prevented with proper care, housing, bedding materials, and nutrition.
A healthy rat should have clear eyes and nostrils with little-to-no porphyrin, clear sounding lungs, no "lumps" under their skin, no scabs or wounds, a plump body; and a thick, full coat (excluding rex and hairless varieties).
Rats are very prone to reparatory problems such as upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, and mycoplasmosis; which, if left untreated, can worsen rapidly and become fatal. Providing a safe type of bedding, a well-ventilated wire cage, and keeping their cage clean, will all prevent your rats from experiencing respiratory problems.
Other health problems include tumors, strokes, bumblefoot, eye infections, hair loss, and mites. All of these things can all be prevented with proper care, housing, bedding materials, and nutrition.
Maintenance
Proper husbandry and maintenance for pet rats is relatively simple, but must be consistent.
Your rat cage must be cleaned at least once per week, and deep-cleaned at least once per month. It is highly recommended that rat parents reserve a scheduled "Cage Cleaning Day" every week to replace bedding and disposable items, sanitize cage accessories, and wash hammocks.
Performing a weekly health check on your rats is recommended in order to ensure your rats are free from respiratory distress, tumors, infections, and injuries.
In order to form a bond with your rats and keep them physically and mentally stimulated, they need lots of social interaction with their humans as well as their other rat friends. Playtime, also known as "Free-Roam Time" is essential for proper rat care and maintenance. You should let your rats free-roam in a homemade playpen, a rat-proofed room, a table, or on your bed. Rats do not like being cooped up in their cages 24/7, and require time out of the cage for playtime for at least one hour every day.
Avoid putting your rats in a ball, as exercise balls can cause injuries to their feet and spines.
Proper husbandry and maintenance for pet rats is relatively simple, but must be consistent.
Your rat cage must be cleaned at least once per week, and deep-cleaned at least once per month. It is highly recommended that rat parents reserve a scheduled "Cage Cleaning Day" every week to replace bedding and disposable items, sanitize cage accessories, and wash hammocks.
Performing a weekly health check on your rats is recommended in order to ensure your rats are free from respiratory distress, tumors, infections, and injuries.
In order to form a bond with your rats and keep them physically and mentally stimulated, they need lots of social interaction with their humans as well as their other rat friends. Playtime, also known as "Free-Roam Time" is essential for proper rat care and maintenance. You should let your rats free-roam in a homemade playpen, a rat-proofed room, a table, or on your bed. Rats do not like being cooped up in their cages 24/7, and require time out of the cage for playtime for at least one hour every day.
Avoid putting your rats in a ball, as exercise balls can cause injuries to their feet and spines.