DIET
Rats need a varied diet! Pet store mixes aren't really enough and a lot of the stuff in them the rats won't actually eat. The rats here enjoy a balanced diet, they have vetafarm small animal pellets available to them at all times as a base mix, they are also offered fresh fruit and veg on a daily basis as well as oats, pasta and rice at least 3 times a week. They also get just about whatever i am eating. For treats I use nuts (almond or macadamia), yoghurt or yogi drops. And of course they always have fresh water available.
CAGES
My rats are kept in a Rat-Topia. I keep up to 10 per half.
Rats need far more room than a mouse. A cage should be big enough for your rat to have ample room to run and play. The smallest cage I would consider would be a PETONE or similar (three levels, approx 90cmx 60cmx 40cm) for no more than 3 rats, male or female.
Rats are also extremely active and intelligent and as such need toys. These can be simple things, my girls have cat balls and toy mice they love. Some people have success with wheels but if you are going to buy a wheel for your rat Silent Spinners or Wodent Wheels are the way to go- the metal bar variety tend to get little paws and tails caught in them.
Photos are of old Kmate cage.
Rats need far more room than a mouse. A cage should be big enough for your rat to have ample room to run and play. The smallest cage I would consider would be a PETONE or similar (three levels, approx 90cmx 60cmx 40cm) for no more than 3 rats, male or female.
Rats are also extremely active and intelligent and as such need toys. These can be simple things, my girls have cat balls and toy mice they love. Some people have success with wheels but if you are going to buy a wheel for your rat Silent Spinners or Wodent Wheels are the way to go- the metal bar variety tend to get little paws and tails caught in them.
Photos are of old Kmate cage.
FRIENDS
Rats need friends, they are social animals and will suffer from separation anxiety if kept alone. I have kept rats in pairs and on their own and the ones in pairs are on the whole happier, healthier and more friendly towards their human companion. As such my babies will only be adopted out in same sex pairs or more unless the prospective new owner has another rat of the same sex already.
