Rat Care Info

Lifespan: 2 - 3 years

Rats have become a very popular companion animal, and for good reason! Rats are very friendly, smart, and form wonderful bonds with their humans. They are easily socialized and can be trained to perform tricks. They are very curious, and spend a lot of time exploring and playing. They are very social animals, and often prefer to live in groups of 2 or 3. Rats can make a great pet for older, responsible children due to their willingness to spend time with humans.

Rats are able to be litter trained. Rats often prefer to go to the bathroom in the same place, so if you observe what spot in their pen is their favourite, you can place a small litter box there to make spot cleaning easier.

Rats need a lot of enrichment in the form of chewing and exploring. Make sure to offer many different types of chew toys, and add new toys and chews often for them to check out.

Housing: When it comes to cage sizing, the bigger the better for our rat friends. As with many other pocket pets, the commercial cages available in pet stores are often far too small for them. The minimum size for a group of 3 rats is 4ft long x 2 ft wide x 3ft tall. For a single rat, the minimum is 2ft long x 2ft wide x 14” tall. Cages should have multiple levels. Horizontal wires are preferred, as rats love to climb up walls. The flooring of all levels of the cage should be solid. Little rat feet can easily get stuck in wire floors. Pressure sores can also develop on the soles of their feet from being on wire. The enclosure’s openings should securely close, as rats can be escape artists.

Fresh water should always be available for your rats. This can be as a water bottle or a water dish, depending on your rats’ preference. It should be cleaned and refilled daily.

Food should always be available for your rat. Food dishes should be made of ceramic or metal, and washed often. Plastic food dishes easily harbor bacteria, and should be avoided.

Rats love to be busy, so have lots of toys around to keep them stimulated. Chews, ladders, cardboard tubes, ropes, tunnels, and hammocks are all excellent options to include. Once they’ve gotten their energy out, they will also need space to relax. Hides, cuddle sacks, and blankets should all be included in your rats home so they have somewhere snuggly to sleep.

If your rat has been litter trained, you can use a paper based pellet like Fresh News. Avoid scented litter and clay based litters, as these can be harmful for your rat.

There are many options to use as bedding materials for your rats. Fleece blankets are easily washable and reusable. Carefresh paper bedding is another safe choice, and very fun to dig around in. If you are using wood shavings, Aspen is a safe choice. Cedar and pine shavings should never be used, as these are toxic to your rat.

Maintenance: Contrary to popular belief, rats are exceptionally clean animals. They spend a lot of time grooming themselves, and cage mates will groom each other.

Their enclosures should be spot cleaned daily, and deep cleaned once a week. This will prevent bacteria and odour build up within the enclosure that can be harmful to your rat’s respiratory system. Spot clean the litterbox and any visible soiled bedding. When deep cleaning, remove everything from the enclosure and wash the floors and walls with a gentle, unscented antibacterial soap. Make sure to rinse well so there is no soap residue left. Discard all old bedding and replace with fresh bedding. Any toys or belongings can be washed at this time as well. Avoid using any scented or harsh cleaning chemicals, as they can be very damaging to your rat’s respiratory system.

Nutrition: Rat’s are omnivores, which means their diet is both plant and animal based. Their diet should consist primarily of a high quality rat specific pellet, like Oxbow or Mazuri. Avoid diets that contain mixes of seeds and dried fruits, as they are too high in sugar and fat to feed regularly. Fresh vegetables, pieces of lean boiled chicken, and small amounts of fruit can be offered a few times a week for variety. Ensure that there is always food available for your rats inside of their enclosure.

Health Concerns: Health concerns that are more common in rats are respiratory infections, dental problems, and tumors.

Since rats have a very sensitive respiratory tract, they are prone to infections. They will sneeze and wheeze, their breathing can become more labored, and they can have nasal discharge. In more serious cases, you may see a red substance leaking from their eyes. This is not blood- it’s called porphyrin, and this happens when the rat is feeling a lot of stress. Rats can develop respiratory infections from unclean cages, heavily scented products, or from other rats. It is very contagious, so if one of your rats develops an infection, it can easily be passed to other rats in your household. If left untreated, respiratory infections can be fatal for rats.

Rats have hypsodont teeth, which means they are constantly growing. They are normally able to keep their teeth trimmed by chewing on their toys in their enclosures, but some teeth grow too fast. If you notice your rats front teeth looking long, contact your trusted exotic veterinarian for a tooth trim. If left alone, their teeth can grow up and into the opposite side of their jaws.

Many rats will unfortunately develop tumors as they get older. These are usually benign, and can sometimes grow very quickly. If you notice your rat is developing a lump, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Many of these lumps are able to be removed, and rats typically do quite well after these procedures.

It is important to have a relationship with an experienced exotic veterinarian. If your rat is showing any signs of illness, it is important to have them seen as soon as possible.

Rachel Hiebert, RVT