How to care for a rat at home

When a gray pet appears in the house, some members of the family experience mixed feelings. However, the joy and delight of acquiring a new friend gives way to confusion and ignorance - how to care for a rat? In what conditions should she live in order to be comfortable? How to feed a rat and how to keep it? In this article you will find answers to all your questions.

In general, the rat is quite unpretentious. This is a fun and affectionate animal that loves to play. The rat can remember his nickname, amenable to training. She can carry out a couple of simple commands, such as “sit” or “stand”. Rats are unpretentious in food, they are quite clean. Rats do not have a specific smell, like hamsters, but females can mark territory. You need to be careful with rats, because these animals like to chew on everything. If you do not want to find the bent legs of the sofa or spoiled shoes, the rat must be constantly kept in sight and released from the cage only for a limited time.

Rats are very playful and active. They look like dogs, only smaller in size. If you decide to get a rat in the house, you should understand that she will have to devote part of her free time - at least an hour a day. And this applies not only to cleaning her home and taking care of her food. The rat is in vital need of games and affection - be prepared for this.

Choose a rat

Before you buy an animal, ask all family members if they agree that such an unusual animal will live in the house. Keep in mind that some people may be allergic to the smell of rats. If there are other animals in the house, especially cats, you need to think about whether the animals can live in peace and harmony? Usually, if a rat and a cat are forced to coexist in a house, rodents are intimidated and depressed.

When all organizational issues have been resolved, go after the animal. For the rat to become tame and quickly get used to you, it must be small, no more than three weeks old. It is not worth taking a newborn rat - in the first weeks he receives from the mother all the information necessary for life.

When you find a brood of a certain age, you need to choose the rat that settles with you and will be your pet. Pay attention to all baby rats. Try to put your hand in the cage, but be careful not to scare the animals. Rats will not bite for no reason - only if they consider that they are in danger. That rat, which is the first to run up to the hand and try the finger “to taste” with a light bite, should become your pet. Usually frisky and curious rats become pets, and fearful ones, on the contrary, become bite and inhospitable.

Carefully inspect the animal so that it is not sick. The rat must be agile and playful. His coat should be smooth and even, without any flaws. The ears of the animal must be clean and uniform. Under the eyes and nose, near the ears there should not be any circles and redness. The animal’s breathing should be smooth, without wheezing, and the abdomen should be soft and supple. These animals do not like to live alone. For them to have fun, it is better to choose two rat pups of the same sex, for example, two brothers or sisters. Female rats are smaller in size, but more clean and brisk. Males, on the other hand, are measured and slow, can sit on a person’s shoulder for a long time. However, they are more vindictive.

House for the rat

Cell selection. It is best to keep the rat in a spacious cage. It should be metal, not plastic or wooden. The rat will gnaw soft material easily.The cage should not stand in a draft, near the battery and in direct sunlight. The temperature of the normal life of the rat does not differ from the human, but this animal does not tolerate too dry and hot air. You can’t put a rat in an aquarium, because carbon dioxide can accumulate at the bottom, and it’s much more difficult to clean an aquarium. Do not forget that rats can jump high and easily get away from your aquarium paddock.

A cage should be spacious, especially if two or more animals live in it. Choose multi-tiered cages, with a wheel and other acrobatic exercise machines. Throw some unnecessary rags into the house - rats like to play with them and wrap themselves in cloth. Rats constantly grind their teeth, so you need to take care of this. The cage should have sticks or small thick branches, crackers.

Litter for a cage. As litter for the cage, you can choose sawdust. However, this should not be sawdust of oil trees - cedar or pine. When combined with rat urine, this wood can produce an unpleasant odor that can cause respiratory infections in animals. Hay or cloth won't work either. If there is no sawdust, you can use cat litter or shredded newspaper sheets. But remember, inks can dye white rats.

Feeding corner. There should always be a bowl of clean drinking water in the cage. It is better to buy a special drinker that is mounted on the walls of the cage - it cannot be turned over. In addition, in such a drinking bowl there will always be fresh water. Get some small food bowls. Better if they are sucked.

Rat Nest. A rat, like any animal, must have a house in which he sleeps. There are special plastic houses in the pet store that are mounted in the corner of the cage. However, a small indoor nest with an entry hole can be weaved from willow branches. Such a nest is more reminiscent of the natural dwelling of the animal.

Restroom. As you remember, rats are very clean, so they do not like to spoil where they play and sleep. In the corner opposite from feeding, you can equip a small toilet for them - fill a special container with absorbent material. Smart animals immediately understand why this is done.

Rat feeding

Rats are almost omnivorous, but in order to take care of their health, you need to feed them proper and wholesome food. In pet stores there are special grain mixtures and feed for rats. Typically, such a diet is fully balanced and saturated with all vitamins. Add slices of fresh vegetables and fruits to your pet's diet. Rats are very fond of pumpkin seeds, meat and fish, chicken bones. You can not feed the rat with all products that are suitable for humans. You can not give the animal chocolate, raw beans, cottage cheese, raw potatoes - this is harmful to the rat organism.

In no case give the rat leaves and stems of indoor plants - many are poisonous to rodents. The rat likes to gnaw sunflower seeds, eats oatmeal cookies and eggs with pleasure, drinks milk. And, of course, the rat’s favorite treat is cheese. Once a season, a rat should be given special vitamins along with food.

Hygiene and Health Rat

Regularly clean the cage of impurities and monitor the condition of your pet's home. Animals can spill water and wet the litter - be careful. Once a week, thoroughly clean the house - at this time, move the animals into a separate box. Rinse and dry all the constituent cells, change the litter.

Inspect the rat weekly for tumors, inflammation, parasites. After all, you are responsible for the health of this animal! Carefully inspect the rat’s ears and listen to her breathing. If you suspect an animal illness, contact your veterinarian for help.

The content of the rat in accordance with all the rules, as well as its balanced feeding is the basis of prevention and animal health. Rats can be restless if the room is too stuffy. In addition, the close space of the cell can cause them to throw frequently. And do not forget that the rat really needs your communication. Take the animal out of the cage regularly. She really likes to change the angle of her examination, so adult rats adore sitting on a person’s shoulder.

You can play with a rat - build different puzzles and mazes for it - it's a very smart and active animal. You can teach her to respond to your commands through food promotion. Such skills will help you find the animal quickly if necessary, if it is out of sight. And remember that we are responsible for those we tamed. Be attentive and caring to your pet, and he will answer you with love and affection.

Video: Rat Care