Mary Allen
A rat as a pet? Just a few decades ago, this statement would have set off alarm bells for many animal lovers. What hasn’t the little rodents been accused of? They are said to be insidious disease carriers, smell three miles upwind and have a really bad personality on top of that. Unthinkable to keep such a plague as a pet. Today we know that this is all nonsense. Admittedly also thanks to films like Ratatouille. Pet rats are cute, clean, and social. However, they are not undemanding. We show you what it means to keep a rat as a pet.
5 Amazing Facts About Rats
The manageable size of black rats may belie their abilities. In fact, the little rodents have a lot on the box. Your future owners will enchant you in many ways. Read five facts about rats that are guaranteed to make you fall in love with the animals.
1.) Rats love to be cuddled
When you think of pets that need to be cuddled, you primarily have dogs and cats in mind. But even rats could hardly be cuddly. Rats are extremely social animals that quickly accept their owner as part of their own pack – and insist on regular petting and cuddling!
2.) The rodents are little adventurers
While other pets are satisfied with meeting their basic needs, rats get bored easily. Pet rats are rightly considered real adventures. If you let them, the cute explorers will explore the apartment down to the last corner. Games, fun and excitement also promise special rat toys.
3.) Rats are intelligent – and playful
Speaking of rat toys: You don’t necessarily need one to satisfy their need for action and adventure. Rats also love to play with their owners. But the clever rodents are not satisfied with simply “fetching a stick”. Instead, build a small course out of everyday objects and present it to your long-tailed pets. But learning small tricks – preferably with the help of treats – challenges and encourages rats. House rats are particularly good at remembering movements that their owners show them. After a few training sessions, the result can be dances that seem really choreographed.
4.) House rats become housebroken quickly
The prejudice that rats should not be particularly clean animals persists. In fact, the opposite is the case. Rats groom themselves frequently and extensively throughout the day. Animal-experienced people who keep a rat as a pet know that when it comes to cleanliness, nobody can fool the rodents. The animals even become housebroken quickly. After all, they usually use a certain corner of their cage to do their business.
5.) Rats are the ideal pet for working people
Rats are predominantly crepuscular animals. They usually only really wake up when their owners come home from work. They are therefore the perfect pet for working people. However, over time, rats also adapt to the rhythm of their owners. If you are busy cleaning the apartment at lunchtime, your rats will not be kept in their feathers either.
What rats want: tips for keeping demanding rodents
Admittedly, keeping rats is not overly complicated. However, you still have to consider a number of points in order to meet the requirements of the rodents. We focus on the basics of rat husbandry.
Rats need fellows
Rats are very social animals. If they are kept individually in the cage, they quickly become lonely – and become downright depressed and sometimes physically ill. They should therefore be kept with conspecifics. This is all the more true if you cannot look after the animals yourself around the clock.
Rat Health: Watch out for warning signs
Especially at the end of their lifespan (after two to three years), the frequency of diseases in house rats increases drastically. In particular, ear problems, respiratory diseases, and tumors are common. One or two trips to the vet will therefore be inevitable. Pay particular attention to unusual animal behavior. Snoring is also a warning sign of an existing illness.
A touch of freedom
For practical reasons, rats are usually housed in cages. However, the animals should be allowed to indulge their natural urge to explore at least once a day. If possible, set up a small corner in the living room where the rodents can let off steam to their heart’s content. But beware: pet rats also like to nibble on pieces of furniture. So first make the apartment “rat-proof” before you let your little friends sniff the scent of freedom.
The best rat cage
According to the Association of Rat Lovers and Keepers in Germany, a rat cage for two to four animals should have a capacity of at least 220 liters. This corresponds, for example, to the dimensions 70 cm (length) x 40 cm (width) x 80 cm (height). Inside the rat cage it is important to place enough play and retreat options – from sleeping houses to hammocks to clothing. Running wheels, on the other hand, have no place in the rat cage! Rats are not hamsters. Injuries and serious back damage are almost inevitable in this case.
With regard to location, you can use the following three don’ts as a guide. The rat cage should:
- not directly in front of the heater,
- not in draft and
- do not stand in direct sunlight.
Good to know: Rats are not exactly the quietest pets when it comes to playing. If you want to remain undisturbed at night, it is better not to put the rat cage in the bedroom.
Are you a suitable rat keeper? A checklist
Are you really ready to own a rat as a pet? Our checklist will tell you!
- Are you willing to actively deal with your house rats? (And are you not just looking for an eye-catcher for the living room?)
- Do you have enough space in the apartment to accommodate a large rat cage?
- Does a pet that only becomes really active in the evening suit you?
- Do you want to keep several house rats?
- Can you deal with the fact that you have to say goodbye to your pet again after two to three years?
- Daily feeding and weekly cleaning of the cage is not a problem for you?
- Can you live with the not to be underestimated background noise that rats make while playing?
- Can you afford it financially if the cage equipment occasionally falls victim to your pets’ gnawing teeth and needs to be replaced?
Did you answer all questions with “Yes”? Then there is nothing wrong with getting a rat as a pet.
Buying a rat as a pet – these options are yours
There are several ways to buy a rat as a pet. In addition to the pet trade, private breeders also offer their animals for sale. Important: Before you buy, make sure that the animals are healthy and are kept in an appropriate manner by the breeder. The most animal-friendly alternative, on the other hand, is certainly going to the nearest animal shelter. As a rule, a number of house rats are looking for new owners here.