Pet Rat Care Basics

Don't be fooled by movies and popular culture. Rats aren't the disease-carrying monsters they're made out to be. These cute, cuddly rodents can actually make great pets! They're more social than hamsters, less hyper than gerbils, and smarter than guinea pigs. If you're thinking of adopting a curious, scaly-tailed friend, here are some tips to keep him or her happy and healthy.

Pairs show you care. Rats are social animals. In the wild, their colonies can number into the hundreds. this, and their natural curiosity, means that a single rat is often a lonely, bored rat. It takes little additional effort to take care of two rats, and they'll be able to entertain one another when you're gone. If you're a first-time rat owner, it's a good idea to adopt siblings. That way, they'll already be used to one another's company.

Two square feet per rat. This is the rule of thumb for deciding what size cage to get. You can expand the usefulness of a cage by adding levels, tubes, and hammocks for your rat. However, don't make the mistake of thinking two full grown rats can be comfortable in a ten gallon aquarium. That's like a jail cell for a human. If you give your rats two square feet of cage and shelf space apiece, they'll have plenty of space to play and sleep.

Separate the sexes. Rodents are champion breeders, and rats can produce more babies than almost any other kind of rodent. Litters vary from as few as three or four to as many as twenty. The average litter is eight to ten. Unless you're equipped to take care of an ever expanding rodent population, leave breeding to ratteries, and make sure your rats are the same sex. Females are bouncier and cleaner, but prone to tumors. Males are often characterized as lazy and cuddly. No matter which you get, check them both over carefully to make sure you have two of one sex.