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Keeping Pet Rats
Rats are extremely intelligent and thrive on social interaction. They spend a lot of time foraging and nesting and need owners that can cater time to provide them with enrichment.
Quick Facts:
- Average Life Span: 2 – 3 years
- Size: 20 – 30 cm
- Minimum cage size (for 2): 100cm x 60cm x 60cm
- Diet: Omnivorous - 90% Pellets, 10% Fresh Food
- Special requirements: Toys, Socialisation
Rats are the most social of rodents that you can keep as a pet. They thrive on socialise with their human and rat-friends, and have been known to develop depression and antisocial behaviour when they don't get enough of it. Rats require daily handling and playing from their owners and must be kept in groups of at least two. Some rats can be taught tricks and can be toilet trained too. While they require fairly big cages, some rat owners allow their pets to 'free roam' around a safe area or room with supervision to help stretch their legs and tantilise their adventurous side.
Due to their intelligence, rats need lots of toys and mental stimulation to keep themselves from getting bored. Its vital to change you rat's cage around once a week and offer new toys all the time. Puzzle toys can be fantastic at keeping your pet rat occupied day and night. Fresh foods like blueberries, chicken, and other healthy foods can be stuffed into treat balls and foraging toys to keep them busy for hours!
