Pet Rat Care Tips | Pets Animals US

For every rat, there should be a minimum of 2 square feet of cage space, but 2.5 square feet or more is preferable. To clean your rat’s cage, remove the soiled bedding, droppings and stale/uneaten food daily.

Tips on Socializing Shy/Timid Rats ft. Cream! Rats, Pet

Thoroughly wash your hands before contact with your rat.

Pet rat care tips. Rats have a bit of a sweet tooth but resist the temptation to feed sugary foods or junk food, including chocolate. Once a week, replace dirty bedding and scrub down the rest of the cage with warm, soapy water. They can not eat too much sugar or sugary foods.

In this pet rat care guide, we’ll share tips to help you groom and care for your pet rat. Expect to see some little red flakes or “porphyrin.” Use the links on the left for information on specific topics.

They often form strong bonds with their owners, and will thrive when given plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Keep reading to find out the best way to care for them. Click through to our rat care guides to find essential information and advice on how to keep your rat happy, healthy and safe at all times.

How to take care of a pet rat learn what it's like to have pet rats, or ratties as their owners often call them, from veterinarian anthony pilny in these howcast videos. They are actually great family pets that love to interact with people. To clean your rat's eyes, get a cosmetic sponge and run it under some warm water.

First of all, you need to provide your pet rat with a home. Hide food in different areas around the cage so the rats have to hunt for it. Keep treats to a minimum.

Dab the sponge gently along both of your rat’s eyes and wipe away any debris that you notice. A large wire cage is generally suitable for a rat and the horizontal bars are good for it to climb along on. Your rat's eyes may need some attention now and then as well to keep them clean.

Don't forget to check out the fun rat photos and videos. Pick your rat up gently, supporting his belly and hindquarters and toss him onto a soft surface. Grooming is a social behavior present in almost all animals, humans included.

Decorate their cage with hammocks and hideaways (sometimes called igloos) so they have a place to kick back, if needed. A healthy diet for these pets is advised to include around 80% of dry food and 20% of fruits and vegetables. The rat guide and its affiliates accept no responsibility for misuse or misunderstanding of its information.

However, feeding treats to these rats should be kept to the minimum. Follow our tips, and your pet will be asking for belly rubs and licking you to show affection in no time. Whether you already care for pet rats, or are considering getting some (keeping a single rat is a bad idea) rats as pets, the resources on this website will help you to find out everything you need to know about rats and rat care.

In addition, treats such as dog biscuits can be given to your pet rat. Your pet rat’s diet should consist of a small amount of fresh vegetables and fruit 2 to 4 times a week, just to keep their diet balanced. Begin holding the rat for a short period of time, like 5 minutes.

If he runs back to you, he probably wants to be tossed again. Rats are social, so it’s best to have at least 2 rats together. Give them a rich environment by putting tubes, paper towels, toys, small branches, rope ladders and anything else that looks fun to climb in, on or over.

Pet rats should live in large, vertical cages, because they like to climb. Pet rat tips on care and bonding. Rat urine contains a lot of ammonia.

Your rat’s water bottle should also be cleaned and refilled every day. Signs of aggression in rats even though every rat is unique, with their own personality and needs, they generally tend to be personable animals that crave attention, interaction, and affection. As your rat gets used to being held, increase the time by 5 or so minutes a day.

How should i set up a pet rat’s environment? Never pick a rat up by his/her tail. One essential aspect of rat care is making sure your rats get lots of social time with you.

All animals can carry viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases that are contagious to humans. Rats are affectionate and intelligent animals. This way, your rat grows to enjoy spending time with you out of its cage.

These pellets have just the right amount of nutrients that rats need, including barley, oats, dried apples, dried black currants, wheat feed, and other grains. Bleach and other harsh cleaning products can cause respiratory problems in rats. Please seek advice and treatment from a qualified veterinarian if your rat is ill.

In order to do this your rats are going to need to trust you, and that's where trust training comes in. The rest of the time they should be fed on a nutrient rich food made specially for rat. The tail and ears should be a healthy pink, and the rat should be free from sores.

If you would like to ask about something not. Keep doors and windows closed and block cracks in floorboards, as rats can get through seemingly impassable gaps. Feed your rats a good diet (see the food section) and keep unhealthy treats to a minimum.

To properly care for a pet rat, choose a large cage with solid flooring, levels, powder coated bars, and ramps. At its most basic, you can begin trust training by offering them food in your palm and calling them by name. Rats as pets are so underestimated.

See more ideas about rat care, pet rats, getting rid of rats. They enjoy toys, especially the kind that can be chewed and contain hidden treats. Use caution when handling rats, and remember they may bite or scratch, especially when stressed.

Scratch and brush your rat to mimic their grooming behavior and let him groom you too. Wipe all surfaces of the cage, and all the objects you temporarily remove from the cage, with a rag and warm, soapy water—dish soap is fine. This guide in whole or part, exists solely for the purpose of recognizing and understanding the care and illnesses in the pet rat.

Taking care of a pet rat is important if you’ve decided to get one for yourself. Use both hands to scoop the rat up. If the cage smells like ammonia, it’s time to clean it.

Never lift your rat by the tail.

How to Care for Pet Rats Pet rats, Pets, Rats