When you keep a pet, he becomes entirely your responsibility. You are the one who will have to take care of a life and thus, it is important that you understand well what you are supposed to do. Here is a list of a few things that you need to remember while taking care of your pet rat. Read on:

1.       Get the right cage. Getting the perfect rat cage is absolutely important. Just because rat is a tiny animal, it doesn`t mean that he will go and be able to live in any amount of space. The fact is that a rat needs more space than other animals of its size. Thus, you need to take care of all the things- ventilation, hygiene, space etc. while selecting the right cage for your rat. Also, if you are planning to keep large number of rats, you will have to get a very big cage. Thus, getting the right cage should be your first priority.

2.       Secondly, you will have to get your pet rat a companion or some toys to keep him happy and active. Rats are pets that do not like to stay alone. You will have to give them time and when you are not around them, provide them with toys or company that will keep them occupied. Leaving a pet rat alone for long will affect his health adversely. Thus, make sure that you do not leave your furry friend alone for long.

3.       You will have to keep care of their diet as well. You cannot feed a rat just anything you want. A rat is a delicate animal and one with a small life. Thus, you will have to make sure that you give them the right food. One can get rat blocks at any pet shop. This is the food that is made for a rat and thus, it is best you give them this. You can also give them some fruits and vegetables but do not feed them more than they should eat. Apart from that food made up of soy is far better for rats than one made up of corn. Mixed grain food should be completely avoided.

4.       Take very good care of the bedding that you keep for your rat. The bedding should not be wet or unhygienic as that can cause problem to your rat`s health. Thus, wash and change them regularly.

5.       You will also have to find out a good animal`s doctor in case your rat falls ill ever. Rats do also have diseases. You will have to protect your rat against such diseases by taking proper care of them and you will also have to keep a vet in case need arises.

The above five things are the “must- remember” points that you need to keep in mind while keeping a rat as a pet.

We all love to have pets! Be it a dog, a cat or may be a rat!!

Rats and humans have a lot in common. Rats are not just mammals like us but also require the same environment and food. So, one can easily make a rat his/her friend!

How to train a rat?

When it comes to train a rat, the most important thing is to make it feel loved. Always invite it with a tempting food in hand and call it with some cute name. Make a particular kind of sound to gather its attention and slowly it will start responding to you. Shower it with love, care and pamper it. When it comes near you, give it a soft cuddle or a kiss. Repeat it quite a times in a day and Ratty will start recognizing you!

Train your pet daily but in a friendly manner. Never try to train it forcefully. Training needs patience! If your rat starts getting irritated or if it does not collaborate, give it some time but never punish.

What about its dwelling place?

Like everyone, rats love freedom. While selecting a cage, make sure it is spacious. To make it more comfortable, you can accessorize it by putting a ladder or a swing. You can also put some toy for it to play. While selecting a toy, make sure that it does not harm it in anyway like it should not be sharp or poisonous. If Ratty destroys the toy, replace it immediately as it may contain some harmful materials.

Give its food in the cage so that it can get habitual. You can keep interacting with it in the cage like putting finger inside it or scratching it, etc. You better not scare or irritate him, as you would not like your pet to hate you! Keep rats foes at bay!

What about the hygiene?

Like humans, rats also love a clean and fresh surrounding. Keep cleaning the cage by some spray or a sponge. Various pet cleaning products are available in the market like Cage cleaning trigger spray, disinfectant for pets. Keep bathing your Ratty to protect it from itching or some disease. Shampoo and brush it daily with care.

You can also give your Ratty litter training. Make a separate box for this purpose (you can use a small carton, etc) and place it in an area where your Ratty usually likes to go to toilet. Even if it does not litter in the box, keep bringing your pet near it so that it can smell it there. Once it gets habitual to it, Ratty will itself start littering in the box. Do train your rat for this, it will save your time!

‘How to train a rat’ now has all the answers! Your pet needs your attention and care most. So engage yourself in some kind of game. Take Ratty in palm and cuddle. Let it run on your shoulder or leg. Give it good and healthy food. You can also bring another rat for more company. Once the rat gets trained in all the fields, let it enjoy and on its own!

Deciding to keep a pet is a big decision because no matter how small it is, when you decide to keep a pet, you decide to raise a life. With rats, the good part is that they are such things that it is quite easy to bring them up. However, you will need to provide them a good cage because that is what is going to make their home.

Thus, the most important question is – How to choose a rat cage?

In deciding to choose a rat cage, the first and foremost thing to decide is the number of rats you wish to keep. If you are going to keep a small number of rats, the whole process of choosing a cage is not going to be a difficult one. All you will need to do is find a cage that provides good bedding, nice toys that will keep your rat occupied and happy, appropriate ventilation and are easy to clean. It is quite important to maintain the hygiene for both yourself and your pet. Thus, these are the only criterions that you need to keep in mind while choosing a cage for your rat. For keep one or two rats as a pet, one could go for any of these- aquarium cage, plastic cage, wire cage etc.  Although, all of these cages have their own advantages and disadvantages, each one of them will serve the purpose. If you wish to go in details, you may choose accordingly. For instance, if you want a cage with the best ventilation quality, you should go for a wire cage. If you want a cage that would not allow your rat to escape, you should go with an Aquarium cage. And if you need a cage that you can carry everywhere, buy a plastic cat. Thus, the answer to how to choose a rat cage depends more on your personal needs and choices than anything in general.

The criterion for choosing a rat cage will be different if you want a cage that if for a large number of rats or for the rat breeding. In that case, you will need a big, sturdy and spacious cage. A small cage will not do. Also, you will have to take care that you leave your rats in such a cage since when they are very small. Leaving a rat in a big cage after it has already achieved its full growth can be dangerous for your pet. Similarly, if you want a big movable cage, you will have to get wheels attached to your cage (which is generally a custom option). The Multiple Floor Ferret Tower and The Fop Yole Chrome Cage are the examples of such big cages that are used by people who keep a large number of cats. These big cages are also usually divided into rows and floors to provide divisional playing zones for the rats.

Thus, how to choose a rat cage depends mainly on three things- the number of rats that you are planning to keep, the need of your pet and your own need as well.

Rats make a wonderful pet for people who do not have too much space in their homes to keep a big pet. Rats are cute little thing who will live in nay corner of your house, demand very less space and maintenance and provide you a great company. When you buy a rat, you will also have to take good care of their accommodation and hygiene. Thus, it is important that you choose the right kind of cage for your rat from the so many different types of rat cages available in the market.

Here is a list of the different kinds of rat cages available in the market:

1. Aquarium Cages:  An aquarium cage is nothing but an aquarium being used as a cage for a pet. The best part about using an aquarium cage is that these provide quite enough space for your rat to play. Secondly, the walls are high; your rat will not be able to escape. However, the only problem with an aquarium cage is that of ventilation. There is not proper ventilation and thus, an aquarium cage starts emitting pungent smell quickly. You will have to clean it up more often.
2. Wire Mesh Cages: These are a good option if you do not want the pungent smell inside your home. These cages provide excellent ventilation. In mesh wire cages, there are cages with multiple stories. These form excellent playing area for the rat. However, even a mesh wire cage will need regular cleaning.
3. Plastic Wire Cages:  Plastic wire cages are a good option for people who like an easy to carry and light cages. These cages are generally good and affordable. However, the only problem is that sooner or later, your rat friend will realize that the cage can be easily eaten and then he will chew it out. Thus, plastic cages are not a good option for you will have to keep buying new ones.
4. There are many other different kinds of cages as well.  The popular ones like the Jenny Cage, the Freddy Cage and the Tom Cage can be bought if you keep a small number of rats. These cages come with an entrance and other facilities like the bedding and toys. They are generally quite a good and ready to use option.
5. If you are keeping a large number of rats, you can use a bigger cage like Multi-Floor Ferret Tower, the Fop Yole Chrome Cage etc. These carriages are generally quite sturdier and long-lasting. You won`t have to go with a lot of maintenance etc. Also they are so big that you can keep a large number of rats in them. One can also get inside them for cleaning, changing bedding etc. as they are provided with quite a big entrance door.

Thus, now you know that the choice is actually plenty.  If you have already decided to keep a rat as a pet, finding a carriage that will suit you and your pet`s needs will never be a problem.

Keeping and breeding rats is a past time that is catching up rapidly these days. Unlike other pets you won’t have to give a lot of time to upkeep these tiny creatures but still they demand little attention. In order to make them happy and take care of their health there are certain points that should be kept in mind. Providing proper food to rats is somewhat simple task if you see from one angle and difficult from other.

If you really want to see your new friends in good health, here are certain tips regarding food that will make the task of feeding the rats a lot simpler.

1. Feed rats with the diet meant for them only: Don’t look at rats as just rodents thinking anything can be fed to them. It is a misconception; as still a large number of rat keepers miss out on this point. Homemade mix of certain grains can work well in certain cases. But usually it is found that, rats pick out only selective grains and leave out the rest thereby missing on some of the key nutrients. So, best way in selecting a staple diet for these little creatures is adopting lab pellets. But again following the title of this paragraph, make sure that you give only pellets specifically meant for rats and not for any other rodents like hamster, gerbils etc.

2. In what container food should be served? A flat bottom ceramic food bowl, usually of the size meant for feeding rabbits is a good option. While digging in the food stored in it rats aren’t able to spill the food. Alternatively, a metal bowl attached to the cage can also work well, but there are more chances of it being tipped by these cheeky creatures. But make certain that these bowls are always within the reach of rats and full of stuff all the time.

3. Feed only fresh food:  Feeding with supplements like fruits and vegetables adds to the health of rats. By instinct, rats have a habit of storing foods and eat them later on. As fruits and vegetables get spoilt early, so fruits and vegetables stored by the rats can be harmful for their health. Don’t feed the rats with too much of vegetables as excess of them especially the green one can cause diarrhea in rats. Apart from vegetables and fruits as supplement you can also give pieces of peanuts, dry fruits etc.

4. Foods that should not be given: Don’t think you can give anything to eat to these fluffy creatures as certain food items can also hurt them. Diet rich in fat and sugar is also harmful for rats. Chocolates, caffeinated drinks, raw beans, green potatoes and carbonated drinks are harmful for the health of rats. It is better to consult a vet to know about the list of food items that can be harmful for the rats.

Follow the above tips to keep your pet rats in good health, with time the above mentioned will come in daily routine and rather feeding the rats will become fun.

Horses might have been the first tamed animal by man but man’s relationship with rats isn’t very recent either. You will find many instances from history as well in which rats hold a respectable position in the society. In ancient times rats were worshipped by Egyptians and Indians; in India you can still find a temple devoted to them. Japanese consider rats as symbol of wealth and so does Chinese regard these small creatures as the sign of prosperity. Records suggest that rats were used as pets in England since 1800’s and the first rat club was established there in 1976.

If you are a rat enthusiast, there are some tips that can help you to take care of your pet rat in good manner.

1. Housing: Selection of a good cage is the first step in keeping your rat happy. Markets are flooded with a range of cages, so select one that can easily house the rats you posses. Generally, rats need more space than other pets when space and size of the pet ratio is considered. Wire mesh cage stands above all the other types. But again the choice is totally dependent upon your requirement.

Proper bedding is a must for cage. If dusty and oily beddings are used, they can prove troublesome for your little pet.

Regular cleaning of cage is also necessary to keep the rats in good health.

You can also use toys like ropes and ladders to amuse your pets. Also give them time to play outside the cage preferably with rat of opposite sex.

2. Food: If the rats are not fed properly, their health is bound to decline rapidly. But still feeding the rats is an easy task. Rat blocks are readily available in the pet stores. Soy meal rat blocks are considered better than the corn meal ones. Rats generally feed from some selective grains if you provide them with mix grains. Adding some fruits and vegetables in the mix can make your rats healthy.

3. Health: It is a very important issue. The best way to keep your rats free from diseases is by cleaning their cage on a regular basis. Bumblefoot is a common problem found in rats. In it, rats develop some callus on their soles of feet, which can turn into ulcers if unchecked. Using an ointment like Betadine may fix this problem. Feeding the rats a lot is not a good thing either as it may make them overweight. Obese rats have more chance of catching on bumblefoot. But still you should keep in touch with a vet in case an emergency breaks out.

You may find many animal enthusiasts around the world who home their loved creatures just like their own baby. Dogs and cats are a popular choice to bring home as pets. But, nowadays rat aficionados, who keep and breed these little creatures is also on the go. The reason for the popularity of these little fleecy creatures is that they are quite easy to keep and take care (as rats generally take care of themselves).

Still you need to do bare minimum from your side to make them happy. Rats probably are more happy when left free but it doesn’t mean you should let them roam about anywhere all the time and create mess all over the place. But, what you can do is provide a comfortable house (cage) for your pet rat.

Here are some basic guidelines for choosing a rat cage, which surely will prove helpful to make you and your rat happy.

1. No of rats: The foremost important point before buying a rat cage is decide what is the maximum number of rats you will house in that cage. It is because number of pets decides the size of cage and other factors. Cages generally come at price around £30 to £40. A wrong choice in deciding the no. can incur upon a loss in the near future.

2. Size of cage: Roughly a 2 sq. feet area is recommended for a single rat. But if you have planned to keep more than one rat then you are surely going to need a cage of bigger size. To calculate the size of cage simply make a search for “rat calculator” on internet and you will get plentiful of results to fulfill your need to calculate the size of rat cage.

3. Material of cage: Wire mesh cages are the most popular one as they are bite resistant and secondly they don’t have any problem of ventilation. But, you will have to regularly give a sweep to clean away the mess of food and droppings around the cage. Plastic cages are a cheap option but they are prone to bites by the rats. Aquariums are also a good choice to house your rat and it neither needs to be cleaned on regular basis. But they have problem of ventilation. Cages come in more than one level as well.

4. Bedding: It is a basic requirement which your pet needs. Don’t put dusty or oily beddings as they can create problems like respiratory problems and others for your rats. Bedding should also be changed at least once a week.

5. Toys: Definitely, your rat can’t just sit in the cage all the time. Toys are good means to take away their boredom. Ladders and ropes are some common toys. Things to crawl through are also popular. But remember, your pet won’t be happier than being left free outdoors. So, give some time to them for an outdoor stroll as well.

You will find a whole range of cages in the market. Everyone has its cons and pros. So, choose from one that suits your requirement the most.

Choosing the right cage for your pet rat is important. The bigger rat cage you have, the better. The rat cage should be at least 2 cubic feet for one rat. Another important factor to consider is the wire spacing. For an adult rat, the wire spacing should not be more than 1 by 2 inches. It should even smaller for baby rats.

Having wired floor is not recommended because wired floor can sometimes be a cause of Bumblefoot. Although, most people say that in rats the cause of Bumblefoot is usually unsanitary condition, it is just not worth taking the risk.

Try getting a cage which has a floor made up of a solid material. If the cage has a second floor and balconies, try getting a solid floor for that as well.