Rat Care
Learn about rat care with our rat care guide. Rats are social and inquisitive small rodents that come in a variety of colors. They tend to make very good pets being intelligent and trainable. They often become very attached to their owners.
When should I bring my rat to the vet?
- Wet or soiled tail
- Blood in the urine or straining to urinate
- Sneezing or wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Sitting hunched or lethargic
- Not eating or drinking
- Diarrhea
- Actively bleeding
- Unresponsive, unconscious or limp
- Seizures
Rat Health Care
Rats by nature hide symptoms and signs of illnesses making early detection of disease difficult. New patient exams and yearly examinations are therefore strongly recommended to help your rat live a long and happy life.
- Spaying and neutering of rats are recommended at around 6 months of age to help decrease the incidence of mammary tumors which are common as rats age.
- If you notice any changes in your rat’s behavior, appetite or bowel movements we would recommend contacting us immediately.
Rat Housing Cage:
- Provide the largest cage possible to allow your rat ample space to move around
- Wire cages with plastic bottoms are ideal for rats as they provide good ventilation
- Provide hiding boxes in the cage such as paper towel rolls and cardboard boxes with bedding or hay in the bottom for your rat to nest in
Bedding:
- Always use unscented bedding and avoid cedar and pine shavings – strongly smelling bedding can cause irritation to the nose and lungs and contribute to respiratory disease.
- CareFresh or recycled newspaper beddings (eg Yesterday’s News) are recommended as they are good absorbable unscented materials.
- Ensure to clean the bedding regularly – spot cleans the bedding daily and changes all the bedding 2-3 times a week. Cleaning the cage is especially important for rats as they very prone to respiratory disease. Ammonia builds up in the cage when it isn’t cleaned regularly causing irritation to the nose and lungs.
Rat Nutrition
- Always have fresh water available via a drinking bottle
Pellets
- Commercial rat diets such as Oxbow Essentials Rat Food should make up the majority of the diet.
- Avoid pellets that are sold as “mixes” containing seeds, fruits or nuts – your rat may pick out their favorite food and often not obtain the balanced diet they need. They can also be too high in fats leading to excessive weight gain
Fresh Produce
- A few vegetables and fruits can be offered daily.
- Choose low sugar fruits such as berries.
- Add new foods slowly and one at a time to prevent stomach upset and diarrhea.
Hay
- Grass hay such as timothy, orchard, oat or botanical hay can always be available to your rat.
- Hay allows for natural foraging behavior and can help prevent obesity in your rat
- Timothy hay tunnels can also provide great enrichment and enjoyment to your rat
- Treats such as 1-2 sunflower seeds or 1-2 peanuts should be limited to twice a week. Healthy table foods such as unsweetened cereal can also be used. Be sure to avoid sugary, salty or fatty treats as obesity is common in rats.
Behavior
- Rats are social animals who ideally should be housed in groups.