Care notes
Not a vet's guide, just what has worked for us. When in doubt, ask an exotics vet.
Company
Rats are social animals and should live with at least one other rat of the same sex. A lone rat gets bored and lonely no matter how much time you spend with it. Introductions between strangers take patience: neutral ground, short sessions, lots of treats.
Space
- Bigger is better: a tall cage with several levels, solid shelves and narrow enough bar spacing for young rats.
- Hammocks, tubes and a couple of hides, so everyone can sleep together or alone.
- Dust-free bedding or washable fleece. Avoid pine and cedar shavings.
- Daily free-roam time in a rat-proofed room. They will test every cable.
Food
A good lab-block or extruded rat food as the base, plus small daily portions of fresh vegetables. Treats in moderation: peas, a bit of cooked egg, a sunflower seed or two. Fresh water always. Skip sugary and very fatty foods; rats put on weight quickly.
Enrichment
- Scatter-feed part of the daily food so they forage.
- Cardboard boxes, paper to shred, and a dig box with soil or shredded paper.
- Short training sessions with a clicker: spins, recalls, even little agility courses.
Health
Learn their normal so you notice changes early. Watch for porphyrin (red staining) around eyes and nose, sneezing, noisy breathing, weight loss or lumps. Respiratory infections and tumours are common in rats, and both are much easier to treat when caught early. Weigh them every week or two; we keep a simple log.