The rat toys provide enough exercise for them within the cage. An activity wheel helps them exercise during the day. When buying the activity wheel ensure that it is 11 inches in diameter to avoid the wheels from hanging up on the top or side of the cage.

Using climbing toys like ladders, tubes, and ropes provides efficient climbing activities for your pets. Attach them to the top of cage to increase the amount of play area in the cage. A pet rat usually needs toys they can chew. This is good for their dental health. The chew toys can be paper tube, cardboard and wood. Softer substances can be source of entertainment to your pets. You can spread them on their sleeping area. The other type of rat toys is the foraging toys. Simply putting out a bowl of food will make your pet a lazy bone. By hiding their food in specially designed toys, it will mentally stimulate your pet and help keep it moving. Remember when deciding to be a pet rat owner, you must interact with your pet as often as possible.

Photo ©  inshallowwater

Rat food sold in pet shops does not come close to providing all the needed nutrients. To prevent mammary tumors in rats and decrease pain perception, rat blocks that contain soya beans are recommended. This type of food is not as beneficial for male rats, only female can really benefit from this. Giving your rats healthy food can help create a stronger bond between you. Don’t feed junk food to your rats, these foods are only for people as you were guided by rat breeders.

Some forbidden foods, raw dry beans these contains anti-nutrients, this will destroy vitamin A which is needed to digest protein foods. Try roasted peanuts instead. Also forbidden are raw sweet potatoes because they contain compounds that may form cyanide in the stomach; rat breeders recommend cooked sweet potato. Other foods include; green bananas, wild insects, orange juice, and raw bulk tofu. Some foods are fed to the rats with caution; some of them such as dried corn can contain high levels of fungi that can cause liver cancer in rats. For more information, contact your local rat breeders.

Photo © Jeff McNeill

Rat breeders

Good rat breeders are always happy whenever you pay a visit to his or her home and will welcome you to look at how they keep their pet rat. Research the nutritional requirements, however talk to the breeder also, and get their breeding ethics. Talk to them and expect feedback. There are some breeders who are not friendly, so be suspicious of a breeder who is not prepared to let you visit their rattery.

You can get a good variety of rats if you buy from a breeder. If you collect the rats from a breeder’s home, a good breeder is happy to show you the parents of the litter and be able to answer all your questions, more so the breeder will expect you to sign a non-breeding contract for new pets. If you are looking for adult pet rat, it is well worth contacting breeders as they often have retired breeding rats from 6 months old onwards available.

Photo ©  law_keven

You can keep these social creatures inside the house, are smaller than dogs, and therefore take much less room. There is no long commitment as you have with a cat or dog, as their lifespan is not as long. Rats require daily interaction with their owners and some pet rat supplies, not simply observed like snakes or crocodile from outside of the tank. These social creatures are very intelligent and get frustrated so easily if not mentally stimulated.

Stimulation can be in the form of toys. They enjoy these toys such as cardboard boxes and wooden wheels. Rats do well in groups, a rat kept with others will be a good idea, and will be kept entertained while you’re gone and limits the need for many pet rat supplies. There is one common challenge that all rat owners should be aware of, they are prone to respiratory infections and sneezing, and wheezing is not normal. Ensure that you keep your pets away from drafts from open windows. Cages are better for your pet than an aquarium. Keep them in a cage with other pet rat supplies, and toys and your rat will live a long and healthy life.

Photo © ArtBrom

You can accumulate your pet rat supplies over time and do not have to purchase everything at once. Some pet rat supplies are water bottles, food dishes, rat food, and a wheel for them to run in. Water bottles are one of the supplies and a glass water bottle can prevent a rat that loves to chew from breaking it. Rats find it difficult to chew this type of water bottle. The plastic water bottles are the best in many pets, rats drink large amount of water despite their small bodies. If you have a critter ’’nation cage’’, it will help to hook up many plastic bottles.

A pet rat’s home should be a cage not forgetting the fleece cloth, which can be laid as bedding. After 24 hours, you should freeze bedding to avoid bugs. Don’t worry about what people may say, pet rats are clean creatures. These little human like creatures do not like messes. You can toilet train them by providing a special litter tray and don’t forget to clean it regularly. Buy a well-designed, well-ventilated cage for your pet rat; it can help to prevent your pet rat from respiratory problems.

Photo © cirocco

It is good to buy your rats from responsible breeder, this is because the breeder has only a few litters of baby rats, and has experience handling them from an early age. A good breeder gives you advice after you have purchased your pet rat. If you have any problems with rats you can take them back to the breeder.

When handling rats make sure they get used to your voice, and the sooner your pet gets familiar with your smell the more friendly they become. Handle your pet with much care and as often as you can, whether they like it or not. Remember; do not pick up your rat by his tail, as this may cause injury. Place one hand under the chest and do not squeeze. The difference between a male and female pet rat is that in males you can view large the testicles which are visible under the tail. Does (females) are smaller than bucks. The does coat is much softer than the bucks. You will know when your doe is on heat, as they come into heat every four days.

Photo © Klara Kim

First on our list of pet rat supplies is a water bottle. You might be shocked to see how much water a tiny rat can drink. Rats are sensitive to heat. And they are prone to heat strokes, so you should importantly keep your pet hydrated. I recommend that you buy glass water bottles. They are more expensive compared to the plastic ones but are sturdier since the rats can’t chew through them.

Rat food is another item that you cannot go with out. Buy lab blocks with good protein content and supplement with grain mixes. You might want to consider buying a dish for you to place rat food in, or you can just choose to give the food directly to your rats.

Next on our list is a rat cage. Barspacing should not be larger than half an inch and the flooring should be solid so that it would be easier for little rat feet. Don’t forget to buy beddings, hammocks, hideaways, nesting boxes and litter boxes for the cage. Also, purchase rat cage cleaning materials to keep your cage hygienic and smell-free.

These are the basic items required if you have a pet rat. It’s up to you if you would like to treat your pet with something extra. But remember that no amount of pet rat supplies can beat the love and attention you give your pet.

Photo © Rattie Rescue

The advantage of buying from a pet shop is that there are plenty of shops to choose from. Make sure to find one that has a reputation for good animal care. The staff must be knowledgeable about caring for rats, keeping them in clean and appropriate housing and given a good diet. Pick stores that separate the males from the females to avoid surprise litters. A disadvantage is that the handling and living conditions of pet store rats can bring them a lot of stress and expose them to diseases.

You can also consider rescuing a rat in need of a home. Local shelters and rescue groups let you adopt rats for free or a minimal charge. Pick a rat with a good temperament. A pet rat from a shelter can be shy at first. You can overcome this with patience. I advise you against aggressive rats because they can bite, nip and cause problems.

The best way to find a young, healthy pet rat is through rat breeders. I recommend that you purchase rats directly from breeders because they socialize and handle rats properly at an early age. They are also the go-to if you are looking for a particular breed with a specific coat or color. Breeders are very knowledgeable about rats, so you can approach them for advice on any rat problem.

Photo © astro twilight

A pet rat is relatively easy to care for. As long as you provide it with the basics like food, water, shelter, an area for play and exercise, there won’t be any problems. Also, don’t forget to spend time with your rodent friend. The more attention you give a rat, the more he becomes bonded, attached, friendly, active and healthy.

If you are thinking of getting a pet rat, I recommend that you buy it directly from a responsible breeder. They are more tamed and easier to raise as compared to store-bought ones. Also, unlike ones from a pet shop, they are not exposed to other animals, so they have fewer opportunities to catch a disease.

When choosing a rat to take home, pick one that has a firm and well-rounded body. It should have a well-groomed coat and pink tail and ears. Make sure the skin does not have sores or is flaky and red. I recommend that you choose a rat that is alert and active, one that is curious enough to approach you.

I hope this gives a better understanding about rats, so they can be seen by more people as lovable pets.

Photo © Klara Kim

Because rats have gotten a bad reputation throughout history of carrying diseases and being vicious, they are often not considered when choosing a house pet. However, rats can be amusing, fun creatures whose antics will keep you laughing for hours. When you keep more than one rat to provide company for the others, your rats will settle into a playful routine together to pass their time and also be great company for you, their owner.

Keeping a rat as a pet involves choosing appropriate pet rat supplies. These include food and nutritional support, items for them to play with, litter to keep their living space clean, and supplies to make their living quarters comfortable.

As a pet rat is known to behave differently from their wild-rat relatives, they enjoy having items to play with and climb on for diversion. Through the purchase of appropriate pet rat supplies, you can fashion a play-ground in their living space to provide them with needed exercise and a fun way to spend their days!

A pet rat can give you immense enjoyment as you watch the animal cavort in the animal’s cage or living space. Often, simply having another living creature in your home can provide sufficient company to avoid loneliness, even if the creature is as small as a rat. When you have a rat as a pet, the animal can even be trained to perform limited tricks and can be taught habits as well. You will learn to love your small rat as you have the opportunity to spend time with the animal and begin to enjoy its playful disposition.

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