Rats have sometimes been referred to as "undemanding dogs" due to their interesting trait of intelligence mixed with loyalty. Although, in truth, no animal should be considered "undemanding", it is much easier and much more fun to take care of a rat than a fish or a hamster. A happy, accustomed rat is a friendly, sweet, curious, intelligent, and interactive pet. This fun creature makes a great pet, but if you're considering getting one, be sure to inquire first. It is important to properly care for a pet, whatever it is and regardless of its size.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Considering whether to Keep the Rat
Step 1. Consider commitment
Rats live for about 2-3 years, so evaluate this aspect and be sure that you can take care of the animal in this period of time.
- Consider the time and effort it takes to look after another living being. This means keeping the cage clean, feeding him, taking care of daily management and, when he gets sick, taking him to the vet.
- Also remember that you will need to find someone willing to take care of them when you are on vacation or out of town for a while. Many rat owners can tell you that it is really difficult to find someone who is willing to take care of these animals (many people may be picky), so try to identify, if possible, at least 3 or 4 possible volunteers willing to replace you if you need to move away from home. for a few days.
Step 2. Think about other pets that already live with you
If you have other pets in your home that you care for, especially cats, consider whether they are able to live in harmony with the rat.
Cats in particular can be a specific problem. They prey on rodents, including rats, and you may inadvertently irritate your feline and scare or endanger the rat
Step 3. Spend time with the rats
Before deciding whether to buy this rodent, visit someone who already has one. This animal has characteristics that some people find unsavory, so it's a good idea to be really sure that you really want to take care of one of them before you bring it home.
- Pet rats that are kept in a clean, well-groomed environment do not give off a strong odor, but they still have a mild one that not everyone likes. Before taking it home, you need to make sure you accept its smell.
- Likewise, some people find the rat's frantic, rapid movements to be disconcerting. Plus the little claws can tickle! The tail may also seem a bit strange in the early days. You must therefore try to handle this animal for a while to make sure you are familiar with its behavior and its physical appearance.
Step 4. Assess your cancer risk
Unfortunately, cancer is a common problem in pet rats, and it can shorten their lives. While not all rats develop tumors, this is an aspect to consider when considering getting one.
- Ask yourself if you can afford the cost of surgery if the mouse develops a tumor that needs to be removed. If the answer is no, then are you perhaps willing to euthanize a dear pet when it is still relatively young to avoid further suffering?
- If you think you can't stand it, the rat is probably not the right pet for you.
Step 5. Decide how many specimens to keep
These are social animals who enjoy each other's company. It is really strongly recommended to buy more than one.
- It is next to impossible for a lone rat to be happy, even if you are particularly careful and considerate in caring for it regularly around the clock. A rat needs almost constant interaction in order not to get bored, so if you only have one, you become its main source of social stimulation.
- The best alternative is to buy more than one mouse, so that they can keep each other company. If you decide for this solution, you should buy them at the same store and at the same time, to avoid quarantine and insertion problems. In fact, introducing new rats can be difficult, especially with territorial male rats.
- Know that having two rats doesn't mean more work at all. In fact, you will find that it is easier to take care of two or three rats, because they will all be happier playing with each other. The differences in the necessary quantities of food and material for the kennel are minimal and you will notice little. The only real challenge, if you choose to take more than one rat, is to be able to keep them all on your shoulders while you walk with them!
- Also, if you decide to have several, get them of the same sex, otherwise you will find yourself running a breeding colony. It is not recommended to think about a rat farm, unless you are an experienced breeder who knows exactly what he is doing. There are so many mice without families that it is much better not to think about breeding them.
- Some vets may neuter them, so if you suddenly find that you have a boy and a girl, it's best if you have the boy neutered.
Step 6. Buy your rats
It is recommended to get them from a breeder or animal rescue center. They have a greater knowledge of the care needed for these rodents and can help you find the right pet or animals for you.
- Do a thorough research on any rescue centers / breeders before choosing your pet, to make sure they keep their animals in decent and healthy conditions.
- Pet shops typically run their creatures more like a "factory" and take little account of their health. If you decide to make your purchase at a pet store, avoid rats that have the following problems: red discharge around the eyes and nose, noisy breathing, open wounds, lethargy, clouded eyes, liquid stools.
- Male and female rats are often kept together in store cages. Even if you initially only buy one or two, a few weeks later you may end up with more mice than you expected if one of them is a female.
Part 2 of 4: Creating a Good Environment for the Rats
Step 1. Buy the right cage
Get a large one with a solid, tiered base and ramps. An iron grid floor is painful for rats.
- Calculate a minimum space of 0.18 square meters for each rat, but 0.33 square meters or more is even better.
- The distance between the bars should be no more than 2.5cm and these should be powder coated to prevent rat urine from corroding them. If the gaps between the bars are larger, you can use wire mesh to close them. Rats are excellent jumpers and climbers and should perform their stunts in the cage without risking flying through the bars.
- The habitats in plexiglass or glass cases are not recommended for rats as they do not provide sufficient ventilation, the risks are mainly linked to the strong presence of ammonia in the urine which causes problems in the respiratory tract of small rodents.
Step 2. Add the food and water bowls
Create a specific space for rats to eat and drink by putting separate containers for food and water, with a rodent drinking bottle.
Drinking bottles for rodents are an excellent solution, because the water remains clean in the bottle attached to the cage, preventing it from being overturned by mice while they play
Step 3. Add the appropriate substrate
The base of the cage should be lined with soft, absorbent material.
- Put some wood shavings that you can find in pet stores to create an optimal background for your pets. Make sure they are not pine or cedar shavings, as the vapors of this material mixed with rat urine can be fatal to small rodents. Pine and cedar are dusty and contain oils that can irritate their airways and create breathing difficulties - you should definitely avoid these materials. Wool or towels are fine, but they are not recommended because they easily become impregnated with bad smells and you should wash them at least a couple of times a week.
- Another valid alternative is the carefresh, a regenerated cellulose litter available in many pet stores, or a base made with newspaper sheets. Do not use the paper you recover from shredders, not even the one you destroy yourself, as some inks are dangerous and can cause disease to mice.
Step 4. Create a shelter
It is a natural instinct of the rat to want to hide in moments when it feels vulnerable, such as when it sleeps. For this reason it is important to provide him with a shelter or hiding place.
Eventually you can buy the typical plastic houses that you can easily find in pet stores, or get a wicker ball that has an entrance hole. This is the element that most resembles what the rat would choose in nature as a nest
Step 5. Also keep in mind his "toilet"
Just like dogs, rats also don't like littering in the same environment they sleep and eat in, so you can use this to your advantage by providing them with a space to carry out their needs.
- Rat baths are small plastic boxes with an entry hole. You can purchase a cat litter equivalent product for your rodents and place a layer about 2cm thick on the bottom of their toilet.
- Place this box in the corner opposite the hiding place where the animal sleeps and the food bowls. Most mice will soon learn the purpose of this box, and will be happy to have a place to relieve themselves and leave the rest of the cage clean. For best results, before placing the litter box, look at the corner of the cage that rats instinctively choose as a "bathroom". However, not all rats are that clean and habitual, so put the litter box wherever you want, it will still be effective.
- Setting up a box that acts as a toilet also allows you to clean the cage with less effort, because you can simply empty the toilet every couple of days, wipe it with a spray disinfectant that is non-toxic for small animals, and fill it with new rat litter..
Step 6. Buy some toys for your rodent friends
Integrate the cage with toys, small hammocks and corners where they can hide.
- Rats like to stay busy and play while you are away.
- Toilet paper rolls, small plush toys, ping-pong balls, hammocks… these are all objects that mice love to play with and are enough materials to keep them entertained. Place small trinkets (not too small, though, or the rats might swallow them and choke) all over the cage to spruce it up and make it look like a real home.
- Do not put objects such as wires or ropes to play, as the rats may choke. Use common sense when choosing toys and make sure the rats are in a safe environment.
Part 3 of 4: Keeping Rats Healthy
Step 1. Ensure them adequate nutrition and hydration
Check their food and water at least twice a day. While playing, animals can easily bump and overturn bowls and water containers, so it is important to pay attention.
- If you use a drinking bottle, you still need to change the water every day and remember to carefully clean the entire dispenser at least twice a week.
- Provide rats with about 20g of a rodent-specific food every day that you can buy in stock online, one of the best complete foods on the market is the "Supreme Science Selective". This is of better quality than muesli-like diets, because it is in a "kibble" format (such as kibble for dogs or cats) and the mouse cannot eat by choosing only the tasty (and often less healthy) parts, leaving the bites less appetizing. - but often richer in nutrients - in the bowl.
- Supplement their diet daily with foods blended with fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables. Rats have food needs very similar to those of humans and can eat almost anything. Find the list of foods that mice cannot eat and everything else will most likely be fine. Rats can eat chocolate too! Giving them a piece of fruit or even just a few leftovers from your table once a day is perfect for keeping them happy, but to keep them healthy you need to avoid feeding seasoned foods or fruit every day (as this is too sugary), better prefer all types of salad except lettuce (it is too watery, it can cause problems with soft stools, as well as not providing many nutrients), the most popular and healthy types of salad that can be provided every day are: radicchio, escarole and endive.
- Keep in mind that rats are particularly fond of sweets and are very fond of cheese. However, be aware that sweets can cause tooth decay and fatty foods tend to make you fat and obese, so it's best to avoid them.
Step 2. Keep the cage clean
Daily "sectored" cleanings help keep the cage tidy and hygienic and, along with a weekly thorough cleaning, help keep your little friends healthy.
- To clean the litter box area, purchase a small plastic or metal scoop, similar to those sold for cleaning cat litter boxes. Use it to collect the dirty material and throw it in a sealed plastic bag. Remove any wet, stained, or smelly litter.
- At least once a week do a total deep cleansing. Put the rats in a separate box to keep them away from cleaners. Empty the cage completely and dispose of the old litter box. Wash everything else with soapy water, rinse thoroughly and dry. It is advisable to keep a sponge, a tub and a cloth separately and dedicated only to cleaning the objects of the rat.
- With a cloth, scrub all surfaces of the cage. Rinse with water and dry. Now you can add some new clean material to the bottom of the cage and put the items and furnishings back.
- Harsh chemicals like bleach can harm rats' sensitive airways if inhaled, so avoid using these cleaners to clean their cage. Get some disinfectants that are harmless for animals, which you can also find in pet stores or veterinary clinics.
Step 3. Maintain an adequate temperature
Don't expose your rats to sudden changes in temperature or drafts. Rats must remain between 18 and 24 ° C.
If the day is particularly hot, try to provide the mice with some cool water (2-3 cm deep) where they can play; On cold days, however, add more chipboard material where the rats can bask while staying warm
Step 4. Check them for signs of illness
Caring for rats also means making sure they don't get sick. Symptoms you need to check for are: loss of appetite, increased thirst, red-colored urine, runny stools, weight loss, rapid or squeaky breathing, and rust-colored fluid leaks from the eyes or nose.
- Check your rodent friends once a week if you notice any lumps or bumps in the skin.
- Whenever you pick up a mouse, look at its skin and make sure there are no inflamed, red patches and that it is not scratching excessively.
- Rats can harbor skin parasites transmitted through the litter box, so pay attention if you notice any signs of skin irritation.
Step 5. Take your rat to a vet
If you suspect he is unwell, take him to the vet as soon as possible.
- It's best to plan ahead and find a vet who knows how to treat rodents before you buy them, or at least when your new pets are still healthy.
- Ask at the pet shop or rescue center volunteers to refer you to a qualified veterinary clinic. Eventually you can do some research online in forums that deal specifically with rats and ask for advice. Most people will be happy to share their good (and bad) experiences with rodent care.
- Call the veterinary clinic of your choice. Ask if there is any veterinarian more competent or interested in the care of small pets and if they have a special interest in rats.
- Another fundamental question you need to ask yourself is whether the vet himself has rodents as pets. There is nothing like owning a pet to understand another owner's concerns.
Part 4 of 4: Making the Rats Happy
Step 1. Make sure your rodent friends have a good view of the world around them
Place the cage in an area where they can watch what is happening around them. This way they will feel less isolated.
Step 2. Spend time with the rats
The more attention you give them, the more they become attached, active, healthy and friendly. If the rat is left alone, it becomes lonely and this can cause behavioral problems. Unless the rat is aggressive, it is best not to leave it alone.
- Take your rats in your hand every day, preferably 2-3 times a day for ten minutes or more, let them explore a room secured for them at least 2-3 hours each day, a rat that does not come out of the cage regularly for being able to run and explore a large space tends to get lazy and depressed.
- Mice love learning and problem solving, so consider making small obstacle courses where you hide treats to mentally stimulate them.
Step 3. Teach them tricks
Start slowly, rewarding them and positively strengthening them with rewards and praise if they learn correctly.
- These are highly intelligent animals and can learn many tricks, such as jumping through a circle, going in circles, standing upright and even offering a paw, all by giving them voice commands.
- Don't punish them when they're wrong. Rats don't understand negative punishments and you'd just end up confusing them. Instead, reward them with a treat when they behave correctly.
- If a rat bites you, don't give it a firm tap by simply saying "no". Instead, it screams with a screeching sound like a mouse would and pulls away the hand it bit. Eventually he will understand that he doesn't have to.
- Do not forget that each rat has its own personality, which means that each of them learns differently from the others. Know that any specific teaching technique you use can work with one mouse, but perhaps not with another.
- The key to success in training is to persist and dedicate many moments of short duration.
Step 4. Get them out of the cage
Rats like the idea of changing landscape, so if they are very docile, take them on your shoulders and carry them around the house.
If you want to take them outdoors, use a harness so you can handle them if they get too scared
Advice
- Always leave them something to chew on, like a roll of toilet paper. These animals love to keep bits of chewed material in their shelter.
- Training a mouse to obey on command is easy and useful. It can be trained with positive reinforcement through food rewards. This is a method that can be used when looking for a lost mouse, and all owners should take some time to do so.
- A happy and content rat grinds its teeth by rubbing them. Sometimes his eyes bulge a bit when he does, but don't worry! This is similar to cat purring behavior.
- A good way to clean the cage and get rid of the odor is to use a spray bottle of white vinegar and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. First spray the vinegar, then the peroxide and finally wipe with a paper towel. This method allows you to eliminate the smell and disinfect the cage without spending too much.
- Females tend to be more active. If you want a rat to sit on your lap to be stroked, it's best to get a male.
- These animals like to hide, so put a small box where they can sleep and hide.
- Their teeth grow all the time, so get an unpainted block of wood or other similar object that they can chew on. Thus the teeth do not grow inside their palate.
- If you want your rat to sleep at night and play during the day, put the material it uses for sleep only in the evening before going to bed in the cage. Make sure it is not uncomfortable and if you notice it begins to fidget, put the material it sleeps on back into the cage.
Warnings
- Rats can be very shy, or aggressive, the first time you bring them home (this is even more true if you bought them at a pet store). Be patient when handling them the first few times.
- Mice chew on everything! Keep electrical cords, shoes, clothes, and any other items you don't want chewed out of their reach when out of the cage.
- If you have caught an albino mouse (white with red eyes) be sure to keep it out of the sun. Strong sunlight is harmful to these animals and can damage their eyes.
- Rats are highly intelligent and are able to enter unimaginable spaces. Always keep an eye on them when they are out of the cage. They also love to jump on objects.
- Do not feed them through the bars of the cage. This way they could associate anything outside the cage with food. They may try to bite into anything that leans against the cage, including clothing, people, or other pets.
- If you don't want your female rats to get pregnant, don't keep them in the same cage as the males, unless the male is neutered.
- Never grab a rat by the tail, as it causes extreme pain and discomfort.
