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20 Sep 2014

Caring For Your Pet Rats

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Pet Care | Rats and Mice

We all know that rats have had a bad rep since they were discovered to carry the plague with them. But, that’s hardly their fault. Indeed, if we had domesticated these animals before then, we might not have had that problem. However, there is no point in rehashing the past. It’s important to know that the rats we keep as pets today don’t carry these diseases with them. Well, not domesticated rats, at any rate. It is still unwise to attempt to capture and keep a wild rat as a pet. Though this has happened in the past; you will need sincere intervention from a veterinarian.

But, before you head out to adopt your first rat, it’s vitally important to consider a few things. Understanding the needs of your potential pets before you get them will help you to care for them better when they’re snuggly established in your home.

Rats Don’t Like to Be Alone

Rats, like many other animals, don’t like to be alone. Many domesticated animals still hold onto the traits and habits that make them the most comfortable in the wild. And for rats that most definitely means hanging out in a group. While your pet rats will certainly grow to love you and enjoy playing with you, they absolutely want to have other rats to spend most of their time with. It’s nothing against you; don’t worry. It’s just that rats enjoy communicating with each other the best.

If you already have a single rat, you will want to consider getting him a friend, though remember that it will take a bit of time before these two are besties. But, if you’ve not adopted your pets yet, try to get two from the same litter at the same time. These rats will already be bonded to each other and love hanging out.

Remember that rats are prone to having babies (and a lot more, a lot quicker than you can imagine), so you need to be absolutely certain that you have two rats of the same gender – or your will need to make sure that your male rats are neutered. Keep in mind that not all vets will have experience with neutering rats, so you will want to look for a professional that specialised in treating your small furries.

Home, Sweet Home

No matter how much you love spending time with your pets and have ideas of letting them roam free through your home, this is not a great idea. Rats are extraordinarily clever. They’re also inquisitive and lightning fast. Put all this together, and you can see just how easy it will be for your rat to escape the safety of your home and become lost in the process.

When selecting a cage for your rats, remember that metal bars are the best choice. Not only will this allow you to see your rats, they’ll have a lot more difficult of a time chewing through this than they will a wooden crate.

Remember also that rats love to run, jump climb and generally just play around. So, when selecting your pets’ home, make sure you’ve got various levels with lots of room to play. And, although they will need a lot of space to play, your rats will also spend some time sleeping, and they will need a cosy corner for that. Keep in mind that not all bedding is safe for rats. That includes wood shavings, so you will want to ensure that you avoid these types of bedding. Always consult your vet if you are concerned about the objects that can or should be included in your rats’ home.

Finally, rats are not great at life in an outdoor home. You’ve got to keep them inside as temperatures that are too cold or too hot will negatively impact on the health of your pets. That also means that you’ll want to keep their cage out of direct sunlight and away from any draughts as this will create uncomfortable conditions for your rats.

It’s All about the Food

You know wild rats are scavengers. And, fortunately, they have digestive systems that allow for this (though not all animals do). But, that doesn’t mean you should let your rats eat anything you’ve got to hand. To provide your pets with optimum health, you will need to feed them what’s best for them. And, that’s not just a bunch of grains and greens.

Rats are omnivores. They need a variety of plants and animal proteins to remain in peak health. Keep in mind that not all small animals can digest animal proteins though, so foods designed for other pets will not be enough to keep your rats strong and healthy. Only ever feed your rats food that was designed specifically for them.

Of course, rats do like a bit of variety which is why there are specially formulated rat treats available. Once again, it’s worth noting that you should only ever feed your rats treats that were designed for them. And, there are also gnaw blocks available for rats that are not only there to provide tasty nutrition; they are also great for maintaining your pets’ oral hygiene. That’s because rats have teeth that continue to grow throughout their lifetime. These need to be worn down otherwise they will become painful for your pets (and possibly for you too).

Don’t forget that rats need fresh water every day. You should invest in a water bottle that affixes to the side of your rats’ cage. Unfortunately, these delightful creatures are so active that they will contaminate the water found in a bowl in no time at all. Even if this water bottle hasn’t been drained completely, it will still need to be emptied and refreshed every day. Water that is left inside a bottle can become stale before you know it and this can present health problems.

And, above all, don’t forget that you’ll need to clean your rats’ home every week. Although rats are naturally and fastidiously clean, they really cannot do all the work on their own. But, in exchange for proper care, your rats will reward you with plenty of love… and amusement too.