Mary Allen
If you share your life with rats, you won’t be bored. Because rats are the first-class among rodents: incredibly intelligent and eager to learn. The rat is becoming increasingly popular as a pet. It is derived from the brown rat, more precisely from an albino variant of the same. It was discovered in its natural habitat in Great Britain in the previous century.
Rat
Size
21-28 cm plus long tail;
Weight
Birth weight 5–7 g, fully grown 250–550 g;
Origin
China;
Life expectancy
1.5-3 years;
Puberty
4th-6th Week of life;
Suckling period
3 weeks;
Litters per year
up to 9;
Gestation period
21-24 days;
Rat species
Brown rat with five color variants.
The Rat as a Pet
The rat is becoming increasingly popular as a pet. It is derived from the brown rat, more precisely from an albino variant of the same. It was discovered in its natural habitat in Great Britain in the previous century.
Rats are exceptionally intelligent and enjoy challenges and tasks. However, you also have to provide your rats with the right habitat so that they can use their potential and feel comfortable.
Social Rats Don’t Want to Be Alone
When keeping rats you have to take into account that these rodents are very social animals, the larger the group, the more comfortable they are. Therefore, never keep a rat alone, always give it same-sex or neutered partners to avoid offspring. It is best to get your rodents used to each other at a young age. There is a strict hierarchy within the rat group, and one’s own territory is defended. Therefore, if you want to socialize adult animals with each other, always do so in a new cage that is unknown to all rats.
The Rat Cage: It Has to Be Big
Rats need space! You, therefore, need a spacious and excitingly furnished cage, preferably with several floors. For a small group of at least three animals, the cage should have a footprint of at least 100 x 60 cm and a height of 90 cm. Of course, more animals also need more space. The cage must not stand in the blazing sun or in a draft. If, after a few days of acclimatization, you tame your rat with the help of small treats, you will soon be able to let it roam free in a rat-safe environment. This is very important for agile and clever animals. Also, keep rats physically and mentally fit with little tricks and games.
The Right Food for Your Rats
The diet of your rats should be as varied as possible – rats are little gourmets. It is best to use rat feed as basic feed. In addition, you spoil your animals with fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs every day. There are mealworms, quarks, or hard-boiled eggs every week. Rare delicacies are boiled potatoes, rice, pasta, nuts, or hard bread. A good portion of hay every day prevents indigestion. But be careful not to overfeed your rats – they can get fat quickly and become sick as a result.
Keep an Eye on the Health of Rats
In general, you should regularly take time for a health check of your rats. Observe your behavior: if you are fit and agile, this is a good sign. They should also have shiny fur, large eyes, and clean noses. If one of your pets looks sick, has diarrhea, bristling hair, or encrusted eyes or nose, you need to see a vet. Even if the teeth are too long, otherwise your rats will no longer be able to eat.