Rat

A rat is a good companion for:

Children under 5

Seniors

Apartments/Condos

Children ages 5–11

Busy People

Rural Homes

Life Span

Generally, the life span of a rat is up to five years, if properly cared for.

Typical Behavior

Rats can be very good pets and frequently bond very closely with their owners. They constantly groom themselves and are surprisingly clean pets, contrary to popular belief. Rats are nocturnal, sleeping during the day and becoming very active in the evening. Rats are curious, like to play and hid in objects. They can become frightened easily by loud noises.

Care Requirements

A rat requires daily care; its water should be changed and any wet bedding should be removed. Once a week, a rat’s house should be completely cleaned and washed with soap and water. Be sure to completely rinse the enclosure and any accessories.

A rat has incisor teeth that are constantly growing. It is important to provide your pet rat with chew sticks to help maintain the length of its teeth. Without proper toys that allow a rat to chew, health-related problems may arise.

Proper Habitat and Habitat Maintenance Requirements

A rat's home can be a glass, plastic or metal enclosure. Be sure that there is proper airflow and that the enclosure has a secure lid. Rats have been known to escape from their homes if not secured. When choosing proper bedding for your rat's home, you should stay away from any cedar shavings as these can cause heath-related issues. Look to use hardwood shavings, pellets or recycled products. Keep your rat’s home away from direct sun and drafty rooms. Rats keep themselves pretty clean but, on occasion, you can take a clean, damp cloth and wipe them down.

Dietary Requirements

A high quality rat food is recommended to maintain the health of your rat. Their diet should consist of 80% high-quality bagged rat food and 20% fruits and vegetables, including bananas, grapes, cooked sweet potatoes and broccoli. Be sure to remove any uneaten food within 24 hours. Always avoid giving your rat chocolate, alcohol and caffeine. These items can cause life-threatening health problems.

Financial Considerations for Rats:

Veterinary

If your rat is cared for properly, you will not need to take it to see a veterinarian more than once a year for an annual checkup. The cost for a checkup on a rat usually will be no more than $40, as long as there are no health-related issues.

Grooming

There are not costs associated with grooming.

Animal Sitter

Rats are pretty easy to care for, so finding a sitter should be easy. The hardest part is finding someone who isn’t afraid of them.

Food

A high quality food will usually cost $12 a bag. A bag of food can last for several months if stored in an airtight container.

Other Supplies:

Generally, a rat requires a cage, bedding, a food bowl, a water bottle, toys, chew sticks and a nesting house.

Interesting Facts about Rats:

• Never house a male and female rat in the same cage.
• Some rat species can weigh up to 8 pounds.
• In 1961, the first rat was taken into space by the French.
• A rat can make a laughing sound when tickled or while sleeping. A human ear cannot easily hear this sound, but it has been recorded on high-frequency recorders.
• Rats have terrible eyesight and do not travel far away from the edges of their cage or other familiar spaces.
• Rats use their tails to control their body temperature since they cannot sweat.