Mary Allen
Would you like to buy rats as pets and need information on keeping and caring for the small rodent? We have compiled a large number of tips for you and want to make everyday life easier for you and your new friend.
Getting a Rat
Before you go to the pet shop, you should first visit the local animal shelter. Because many rats that were bought rashly are waiting here for a new owner. In any case, you should make sure whether the rodent in question may have come from breeding experiments.
Keeping Rats
Rats are crepuscular creatures, which is why rodents can also be kept for working people. You can spend time together with your mistress or master after work. The joy with the little animals is then usually all the greater.
Even if the lively pets enjoy contact with humans, you should give them a certain amount of freedom and not restrict them against their will. Every now and then you have to put up with nibbled furniture. You shouldn’t be sensitive in this regard!
Proper rat cage setup is essential to avoid an unpleasant odor. This should also be cleaned regularly to avoid dirt or excrement deposits.
Getting Used to the New Home
The finished cage should already be waiting for the new roommates. Upon arrival, you should immediately introduce the rats to their new accommodation. The best thing to do is to give the animals a day of rest so that they can get used to their new surroundings without stress.
The next day you can lure the little rodent to you with a treat, for example. So you can tame your little companion optimally. However, you shouldn’t be rushing and give the rodents enough time to get used to the new environment, and especially to you. Not every rat is easy to trust and tame.
Taking Care of the Small Rodents
Rats are generally very clean pets. Like most pets, the four-legged friends are able to clean and care for themselves. The situation is different with sick and/or older animals. With these, the owner often has to support the furry companion.
The Grooming
You only have to intervene in grooming the rodent if the four-legged friend has an accident. This includes, for example, an unplanned bath in the food bowl, which can lead to severe contamination/sticking of the fur.
Control of the Claws
If the claws of the beloved pet have become too long, you have to trim them a little. As a rule, rats get along very well on their own with their claws. In the case of moderate wear, which can sometimes result from inadequate freewheeling, intervention is often necessary. Of course, you need a lot of sensitivity for this procedure. You should absolutely avoid injuring the blood vessels that run through the claws. If you are unsure and do not feel 100% confident in the task, it is better to see a vet.
Since your little roommate probably doesn’t think much of such special treatment, you should reward them with a few treats for the “ordeal”.
The Dental Check
As the owner of a rat, you should check your pet’s front teeth regularly. A cursory glance is often particularly useful when the rodent is busy consuming a coveted treat. In order to open the animal’s mouth a little with your hand, however, you need a little more skill and practice.
You can only have your rat’s back teeth checked by an experienced veterinarian. Appropriate medical tools are required for this.
An extensive check of the teeth is particularly recommended if your small rodent shows abnormal eating behavior and/or is losing weight significantly. In these cases, you shouldn’t hesitate and contact a veterinarian immediately.
Rats and Children
Please always remember that rats are not children’s toys. If they feel too pressured, then they can take a bite. The little rodents don’t always feel like playing and cuddling.
Children up to 3 years of age should generally only have contact with the pets if at least one parent is present in the room. Young adolescents can learn how to deal appropriately with animals, for example with a cuddly toy. For the good of your rat, you should always keep in mind that children do not have the necessary fine motor skills to deal with rodents. Therefore, please make sure that children cannot gain unauthorized access to the enclosure.
Girls and boys around the age of 8 can help with looking after the pets. However, they shouldn’t play alone with the animals either. Only from the age of 12 onwards is it advisable to deal with the rats independently. Working out a joint care plan is certainly helpful here. Even if you do not have any children, you should think about creating such a plan, as it will make it easier to follow hygiene regulations properly and to take care of your four-legged friend in general.