Rats are highly intelligent animals that love to climb, play and explore. Contrary to popular belief, they are very clean animals and with the right care, they can make great pets, even for children. An adult should always take overall responsibility for making sure that the rats are cared for properly.
There are a few things to remember when you considering when getting rats
- Rats are social animals, so it’s best to buy them in single-sex pairs. They can get stressed if they are left alone, but may fight if kept in larger groups
- Before buying your rats, have the cage and equipment ready, Find a space for the cage in a quiet area of the house and make sure that it is away from radiators or draughts. Ensure that your enclosure includes a nest box for your rat.
- Baby rats are ready to leave mum at around 6 weeks of age. Be very careful if you suspect that the breeder or retailer you are buying from keeps the rats in mixed-sex groups – you may be coming home with a pregnant female! Best to look elsewhere.
- Arrange a time to look at the rats first, and select your own from those available. Make sure you check the environment that the rats are being kept in to ensure that it is clean, with enough food and water. None of the other rats should look ill (key signs are ruffled fur, runny eyes or nose, or a dirty bottom).
- Watch how the rats behave in the cage and in your hands – they should be calm and alert. Take a good look at to check that they are healthy before agreeing to buy: They should be neither fat nor skinny with no swellings. Eyes and nose should be clear with no discharge and they should be breathing easily. The rear end should be clean, as should their coat, which should also be shiny, with no bare patches. Teeth should be well-aligned.
Before getting any small pets, make sure to follow the following tips,
- All animals find moving house stressful and they will need time to adjust to their new surroundings. Put your rats into the cage with all of the essentials like bedding, food and water, and allow them to settle in over a couple of days, undisturbed.
- Start quietly talking to them when you pass the cage, and putting your hand into the cage to feed them treats. Take this stage slowly, so that they learn that you are not a threat. Eventually they will come to your hand for treats, and then you can think about picking them out of their cage for a stroke or cuddle.
- Always supervise children under 7 when they are playing with or holding a rat. Youg children can accidentally hurt small animals by holding them too tightly.
Make sure to clean your rats cage out, this is very important to their health, Clean your rat’s cage once per week, and replace soiled bedding every day. Maintaining good hygiene is really important if you want your rats to stay healthy and happy, and the right food is a must, Your rats will need a special rat food and fresh water every day. Follow the feeding guidelines on the pack and weigh the food carefully, as rats can easily become obese if overfed.
Team Shanklinpets