Domestic rats are clean, intelligent, enjoy human company and
make wonderful pets. Although domestic rats belong to the same
species as the wild rat, they should not be viewed in the same way.
Provided that pet rats have been handled and socialised correctly
from birth, you can share your home with them free from worry
that they will be aggressive or spread disease.
There are many varieties of rat with differing coat and eye colours. These include white,
cinnamon, blue and parti-coloured coats with dark or pink eyes. Male rats are called bucks,
females are does and babies are known as kittens. Their average lifespan is about two and
a half years.
Rats need company of their own kind, so it is unfair to keep one on its own. To avoid
unwanted babies, the best option is usually a pair or group of the same sex. Rats will breed
frequently from as early as five weeks old, producing a litter of eight or more young each
time. Females can become pregnant again within 24 hours of giving birth.
The best place to buy a rat is from a reputable breeder and a baby should be at least six
weeks old. Make sure they have been properly sexed and separated from the opposite sex
by the time the males are five weeks old. If you buy from a pet shop, staff should be able to
handle the rats confidently and show you how to sex them. Make sure all animals in the shop
are in clean, good-sized cages with fresh food and water.
Before buying your new pets, be sure you can give them enough time. Rats need at least
an hour’s exercise outside the cage every day and, while they make great family pets,
should not be looked after or handled by unsupervised children.
The best home for your rats is a wire cage – the larger and taller the better, as rats are active
and love to climb. Hamster cages are not big enough. A rat cage should be at least 50cm x
80cm floor space, by 50cm tall. The floor should be solid rather than wire, with a solid tray
underneath, to avoid trapping and injuring the animals’ feet and limbs. Aquarium-style glass
cages should not be used, as the ventilation is inadequate.
Litter should be placed on the floor to absorb ammonia from droppings. Good quality
dust-extracted wood shavings make the best base and can be bought from most pet shops.
Avoid cedar-scented shavings as these can cause health problems. Cat litter is unsuitable
as bedding but can be used in your rat’s litter tray. Litter training your rats will help to
keep their cage clean. Your rats also need a nest box where they can sleep and enjoy a bit
of peace and quiet. A cardboard box with shredded paper bedding is ideal. They also
enjoy a hammock hanging in their cage – this can easily be made from an old towel or
similar material. Rats are susceptible to extreme cold and heat dehydration, both of which
can be fatal, so make sure the cage is in a suitable environment away from direct sunlight
and draughts.
Check your rat daily for any general signs of ill health, such as loss of appetite or lethargy.
One of the most common problems in rats is infectious respiratory disease, but this can
only be passed from one rat to another – it cannot affect other species or humans.
Be wary of buying a rat from an environment where there are many other rats, particularly
if any of them have rapid or noisy breathing.
Red discharge around the eyes or nose is a sign of illness and stress, although the
redness is not blood but a natural pigment in the mucus. Some rats develop tumours as
they get older – these are more common in females.
While rats can be easily castrated, it is generally only necessary to prevent unwanted
breeding or to stop the occasional aggression towards other rats or humans.
Rats are naturally very clean and spend a lot of time grooming themselves, although
some may need their tails cleaned occasionally. This should be done gently with mild
animal shampoo. If you are worried about any change in your rat’s health, consult
your vet.
Rats make good companions for children and adults. However, they do need daily social
interaction and time out of their cage, so it is important all members of the family are keen
on the idea of keeping rats as pets. Rats need larger cages than the smaller rodents but,
being larger, they are easier to handle than small rodents. As with all children’s pets, it is
important that an adult is responsible for ensuring the rats receive the attention and care
they require.
Don’t forget...