more rat information 

NAME: FANCY RAT

 LIFE SPAN: 2-3 YEARS IN CAPTIVITY

 SIZE: 9 – 11 INCHES FULL GROWN (DOES ARE SMALLER THAN BUCKS)

 SPECIES: MAMMAL – RODENT FAMILY

 ACTIVITY: NOCTURNAL

 LIVES: IN PAIRS/TRIOS/OR GROUPS

 DIET: OMNIVORE

 POCKET PET LEVEL: MODERATE

FUN FACTS!

  • Rats are loyal, affectionate, clean & intelligent!

  • They are more intelligent that many pocket pets & also have excellent memories!

  • They can be trained to use the litter pan & learn tricks – their name, jumping, riding on your shoulder, sit, stand – similar to dogs!

  • Rats are extremely clean animals, spending hours a day grooming themselves & their cage mates!

  • A rat can go longer than a camel without having a drink of water

  • Their tails help them balance, communicate & regulate their body temperature!

  • The rat is the first of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac!

  • Rats are very social creatures. They love playing with their cage mates as well as their human. You will catch them snuggling up with one another when they sleep as well as grooming one another!

  • Female rats are called – DOES, male rats are called BUCKS, & babies are called kittens or pups! o A group of rats = mischief!

  • They are omnivores, so they eat just about anything – just make sure foods & treats are safe for them!

  • They take care of sick rats in their mischief!

  • They become lonely and depressed without companionship!

  • Bruxing = happy rattie! They grind & chatter their teeth, and their eyes vibrate quickly popping in & out!

  • Rats have belly buttons – you probably can’t see it because its hidden under all their adorable fur, but it’s there!

  • Rats laugh & fart – you just cant hear it!

  • Their whiskers are more sensitive than human fingertips! They use their whiskers to better understand their environment!

  • They have super long teeth that never stop growing – which is why they have to keep nibbling to keep their teeth healthy & able to eat with. Not to mention unlike humans, their teeth are yellowish/orange which actually signifies they are healthy!

  • Since rats are prey animals – they do an amazing job at hiding their sickness/pain/injuries/illnesses – which makes it that more important to keep a close eye out for such!

  • Rats can swim for a long time without taking a break & can hold their breath for several minutes under water!

  • Rats are so smart that they mark their way (by stepping in their pee & walking around) so they can find their way back to where they live, or where a source of food is. They also do this to attract other rats to let them know they are there!

  • A rat’s urine can tell quite a story actually! It can let other rats know whether they are a boy or a girl, whether they are ready to have babies, how old they are, and who they are!

RAT CARE - FOOD

  • A good quality safe food is vital & important for your ratties! Be sure to clean & top off their food bowls as necessary.

  • OXBOW Essentials for young & adult rats is the most popular brand & best option! (PLEASE NOTE - the Garden Select brand contains alfalfa meal, which can cause blockages & has no nutritional value for ratties!).

  • It is important that the food mix does not contain any dried corn as it is unsafe for them.

  • A good quality water bottle &/or water bowl, filled with fresh water daily is also vital for your new friends.

  • Treats: fresh selected veggies & fruits

UNSAFE FOODS

  • Unlike humans, rats do not have a gag reflex and cannot throw up foods that are toxic to them – therefore it is of utmost importance that you do your research & provide your ratties with safe, healthy & nutritious foods!

  • Chocolate

  • Apple seeds

  • Caffeine

  • Avocado skin

  • Alcohol

  • Raw artichokes

  • Tomato leaves

  • Brussel sprouts

  • Apple seeds

  • Candy

  • Citrus

  • Hamster food

  • Dried corn

  • Mango

  • Blue cheese

  • Onion

  • Green bananas

  • Peanuts

  • Raw potatoes

  • Raw cabbage

  • Beans

  • Spinach

  • Grapes/raisins

  • Raw sweet potato

  • Nuts

  • Tofu

  • Junk food

  • Peanut butter (can cause choking)

  • Poppy seeds

  • Dairy (small amounts, given on rare occasions)

  • Soft drinks

  • Moldy foods

  • Rhubarb

  • Wild insects

  • Celery

TOYS

  • Ratties love a variety of toys & stuff to play with! They are super intelligent & need a lot of mental stimulation to keep their brains busy & happy.

  • Some safe toys include: baskets, tunnels, boxes & more boxes (you can safety cut holes in them so they can play in, huts, toilet paper rolls, large wheels (meant for ratties), safe cat toys, blocks, shredded paper & lots of it, hammocks, spacepods, etc. The list is endless, including building/making your own toys – dollar stores are great for some of these!

  • Ensure to do your research so your ratties toys are safe & non-toxic!

HOUSING/CAGE

  • The bigger the better, always! Ratties need a lot of space to run around, climb & play so it is important to get a large cage for them with small bar spacing.

  • Critter Nations are among the most popular – the Ferret Nation is also suitable but must be covered - as kits may be able to get through the small bar spacing.

  • There is a Rat Cage Calculator that is good as a starting point for sizing – but again, its always best to go bigger! Also, like fish, the more ratties you have the bigger the cage must be! And always keep boys & girls separate to avoid oops litters!

  • It is important to ensure your ratties cage in placed in a safe place, away from any cords, curtains, other pets, unsafe items they can get into & doors/drafts.

BEDDING

  • Dust-free bedding – such as Kaytee/Carefresh, cloth bedding - fleece blankets (not towels as their little toes/feet can get caught in the threads), pellet bedding, Aspen bedding are best options for your ratties.

  • It is important that you do not use CORN COB bedding, PINE or CEDAR bedding as rats are prone to respiratory issues & they are toxic to ratties. Again research is key!

  • You may also line the bottom of their cages with eco-friendly, non-toxic shredded newspaper (that contain soy or vegetable ink) or even use it as bedding – but note that it needs to be changed more often as it isn’t as absorbent as other bedding.

  • Please ensure to clean their cages regularly.

LITTER TRAINING

  • Rats are very smart & may easily learn to use their litter pan on their own, but they may need some help!

  • They can be trained to use the litter pan with some patience & consistency! Put your litter pan in the same spot every time you clean their cage. You can always buy a safe litter to use in their pan that is different than their bedding to help them differentiate, but you do not have to.

  • Every time you clean the cage, keep a bit of their soiled litter & mix it in with fresh litter in their litter pan & watch the magic get to work!

  • Every time you find droppings elsewhere in their cage, simply scoop & place them inside the litter pan.

CLEANING

  • The best & safest way to clean you ratties cage & washable accessories is with good old hot water and vinegar. You may also use non scented dawn liquid soap or baby shampoo washed with hot water, rinsed clean & dried. Again, ratties are very susceptible to respiratory issues so it is important to avoid any scented products within your home &/or to clean their stuff!

  • Spot clean daily – uneaten fresh food, droppings, wipe down pee, etc.

  • Full clean weekly – take cage apart & wash it down, change bedding, wash toys, bowls, bottles, launder any towels, blankets, re-arrange cage, etc.

  • Rats do not require baths – as they will groom themselves & their mates. As mentioned, they are very clean animals! However, if for any reason (such as mites - & suggested by a vet) a delicate baby shampoo or kitten shampoo will be ok to use for bathing. It is crucial you do your research & know how to carefully bathe your rattie before doing so - & again remember it is not required to bathe them regularly.

BONDING/PLAY

  • Ratties need a lot of free roam time to help stimulate their minds & get the cuddles they need & deserve. Ensure to take at least one hour out of every day to safely play with your ratties outside their cage. A safe place you may start is in the tub or a safe room with a dry towel & some toys. Ensure to take away any cords & or dangerous items that they may chew or get into!

  • Be sure that you always present during rat play/free roam to observe & keep them safe – remember ratties are quick & can get away fast &/or sneak into cracks/holes in the walls etc!

  • This is also a great time to bond with your ratties, cuddle with them, learn their likes, dislikes & fall in love with them even more! • You may also do some research on ways to train them tricks – like spin, sit on your shoulder, etc!

  • NOTE: please remember when placing your ratties back into their cage to watch out for their tiny feet & sensitive long tails – they are very easy to get caught in the closing doors, OUCH!!

BUCKS (MALES) VS DOES (FEMALES)

Although all ratties have their own individual personalities, there are some behaviours that differ the two.

  • Some characteristics/personality traits of male rats are:

    • Cuddly, lazier, easy going, squishy, chubby, etc

  • Some characteristics/personality traits of female rats are:

    • Playful, adventurous, energetic, smaller, silky, smooth, faster, etc

BEHAVIOURS

  • Ratties are like pups & humans in so many ways! They have their own little niks, quirks & personalities that they exhibit through their behaviours.

  • Some include, but are not limited to:

    • Investigating – Vision is not their strongest suit, so they explore mainly by smell & touch. As prey animals, they do a lot of sniffing, as they do not want to be exposed out in the open. It also helps them navigate

    • Nibbling/ Licking you – Ratties who nibble or lick you are grooming you as a sign of affection. As long as it does not become obsessive- ENJOY!

    • Biting – Ratties have a great sense of smell so be sure to wash your hands after eating or cooking or they might give you a little bite thinking your hands are food. If a rat bites you hard, note that it might be them expressing fear, frustration or anger – so beware for signs & check that your ratite is ok. Remember to be careful not to startle your rattie, pick them up abruptly or handle them incorrectly – this can cause pain & lead to a bite.

    • IMPORTANT - NEVER punish your rattie! Just like a dog, these critters do not understand or learn from punishment.

    • Peeps, Squeaks & Shrieks – could be a sign that they are unhappy. Things like you taking them out of the cage, handling improperly, pain, pinch on their tail, etc.

    • Grooming – Ratties are squeaky clean animals, & groom themselves numerous times daily – so no need to worry about bathing them. However, if you notice a rat stops grooming or has an unkept coat – it could be a sign of illness so keep a close eye & contact your vet if it worsens!

    • Scent Marking – Just like pups, ratties like to mark by peeing on surfaces. Don’t be surprised to see little pees throughout floor surfaces in their cage!

    • Rumbling in the night – rats are nocturnal, so if you’re a light sleeper, it might be a good idea to keep them somewhere either than your bedroom. You will hear a lot of water bottle drinking, wheels turning, playing, possible boxing & crunching. Evening play with your ratties is also the best time to bond with them!

    • Climbing – Ratties need lots of exercise & a great way to encourage this is with safe ropes, ladders, large rat wheel, a cage bars. Don’t be surprised to see your rattos climbing all over the place if/when they get the chance!

    • Scavenger hunting – Ratties are little hoarders – their prey instincts will entice them to hide their food every chance they get. When given treats, they might take all they can hold into their cute little hands & take them to their special hiding place. Don’t be surprised to find a little edible stash hidden in the box or spot in their cage. They are especially inclined to steal items they can chew up like paper to line their new home, cover their food/goodies with & re decorate the way they like it (hehe)

    • Boxing/Play Fighting – Funny enough ratties like to box, just like kangaroos. They do this to show who is the alpha rat. They may chase, pin, tussle etc. Observe, as you might hear some vocalization such as squeaks & rumbling. But be cautious, if you hear hissing, raised fur, it could lead to serious fighting. As long as there is no blood – no foul. If there is blood however – be sure to separate your ratties & take necessary measures to help your injured rattie heal & figure out alternate living habitats if need be.

    • Burrowing & Digging – Rats in the wild live in underground burrows, which they retreat to after scavenging for food. Pet rats also show burrowing or digging behavior, especially if offered bedding materials or a pile of shredded paper to create a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

    • Wiggling whiskers – Rats use their whiskers to navigate around objects as well as to help maintain balance. A rat wiggles his whiskers to literally get a better understanding of his surroundings! Super cute!

    • Tail movements – If you weren’t already aware, rats tails are super cool & important for many reasons! Balance - if you suddenly scoop up your rat, he might whip his tail around in a circle-like motion – “helicoptering” to help regain his balance. Rats also keep their tails straight while running or close to the surface of whatever they might be climbing & sometimes use their tail to get a grip on to the cage or whatever they’re holding on too. Rats even use their tail to help prop them up while standing.

    • Eye Boggling –Eye bulging, also referred to as “Eye Boggling”, happens when your rat’s eyes move in and out of the eye sockets quickly. Scary at first I know – but don’t worry! This is a unique way your rattie expresses that he is relaxed & happy! A rat might also brux as a way to self-soothe when he’s afraid or in pain, so pay attention to his body language & the circumstances surrounding the bulging to determine if he is content (cuddles) or afraid (vacuuming).

    • Teeth Grinding – Eye bulging typically occurs along with teeth grinding, also called “Bruxing”. Rats’ teeth continuously grow, so teeth grinding helps keep them in check. A rat is more inclined to grind his teeth when he is relaxed & content! The vibrations of moving his jaw back & forth as he grinds his teeth create vibrations that move the eyeball in & out of the eye socket - causing the eyes to bulge. Cool eh?

SIGNS | BEHAVIOURS TO LOOK OUT FOR

  • The following are signs to look out for & may require vet care!

    • Porphyrin – brownish red substance not to be confused with blood – usually found around the ears/nose. Released in time of stress or illness.

    • Lethargic – mobility has slowed down, not eating/drinking, not playing, not themselves.

    • Fur/skin – greasy looking, blotchy, scarred, etc

    • Tail – discoloured, bloody, sores, bigger/smaller in certain places, etc

    • Sneezing – potentially an URI (Upper Respiratory Infection) adjusting to their environment, allergies, candles, scents, drafts, toxicity, infected from others, etc.

    • Scratching – Mites &/or fleas

    • Hunched posture, staring, stumbling, head tilt, failure to groom, sneezing, wheezing (rat phone) etc.

ILLNESSES & VET CARE

  • It is important to have a safety net for any potential vet visits you may need for your ratties.

  • Remember - Rats are prey animals & are generally good at hiding their illnesses or pain. However, they are small little critters & susceptible to illness, esp respiratory illnesses, which makes it extra important to know the normal behaviour of your rat pal, what is considered abnormal & look out for signs of potential illness or injury.

  • It is a good idea to have your ratties spayed/neutered for health benefits & to ensure no “Oops litters” if you are housing males & females together. But as a rule of thumb – the best option is to always house them separately so avoid the risk!

  • If your rattie is ill – they will need treatment & it is vital to seek medical attention ASAP to avoid long term negative effects & contagion between the pack.

  • Rats are small animals but vet bills can rack up – so keep that in mind.

  • Best way to avoid & prevent illness – temperature, humidity, healthy diet, environmental stressors, research!

  • Some serious illnesses include:

    • PITUITARY TUMORS (PT) – an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, the part that regulates the body’s balance of hormones. It is more common in unsprayed & unneutered rats. Signs include: weakness, inability to walk, stumbling, stiffness, head tilt, seizures, head bumping, difficulty using limbs, holding food, unable to lift head to drink water, etc

    • RINGTAIL – a lesion or annular constriction of the tail resulting from lack of hydration in the skin of the tail. Signs include: circular ring at the base of the tail, oozing sore, swelling inflammation, partial loss of tail etc

    • MAMMARY TUMORS – more common in unspayed females

    • CANCER, HEART DISEASE & STROKE

    • RAT-BITE FEVER – from highly bred rats masses – usually for snake food, from breeders who fail to take good care of their rats. A human can only be infected if the rat is infected.

END OF LIFE

  • Sadly rats do not live long, as much as we would love them to. Thus, it is important to look out for signs as they age & if necessary & last resort – you may have to talk to your vet & look into humanely euthanizing your pet so they may cross the rainbow bridge in peace if suffering. Keep that in mind.

CARRIER

  • A sturdy wire mesh small pet carrier or hard plastic carrier is best for you pet ratties

  • Ensure your carrier has vents for circulation & visibility, & locks for safety

  • The carrier holes must be small enough so they cannot squeeze through but big enough so they may breathe

  • A soft/mesh carrier is not suitable as they can bite through the mesh.

!!! IMPORTANT !!!

  • Many house plants are unsafe for ratties – such as Eucalyptus, etc

  • Scented candles – are unsafe to ratties too – remember they have very sensitive respiratory tracts!

  • Nails – may need to be trimmed regularly by a vet or professional!

  • Do your research before ever introducing rats! There is a process that must to be done carefully & patiently to avoid potential risk & injury. + Although there is a great deal of information here for new rat parents in helping provide the best love & care for your new rat friends, there is always room for more! Remember, if you are unsure – do your research & ensure it is from reputable sources &/or ask your vet!