The Rat – General Advice

Origin and General Characteristics

The rat originates from the Orient and has spread throughout the world by taking advantage of human transportation methods. The pet rat is a gentle, affectionate animal that forms a strong bond with its owner. Unfortunately, the reputation of the sewer rat precedes it, unnecessarily tarnishing its image. The pet rat is as different from its wild cousin as the dog is from the wolf! A highly sociable animal, it is recommended to keep at least two. Rats of the same sex get along very well. Avoid keeping a male and a female together, as they will produce large numbers of offspring. Of course, you can have one of your two rats spayed or neutered to prevent this issue. AnimaPlus veterinarians can answer any questions you have regarding this surgery and can perform it as well.

Through controlled crossbreeding, breeders have succeeded in producing several varieties of coat textures and colors (i.e curly-haired rat, hairless rat). There are even rats without tails (Manx rats), rats with large ears carried low on their heads (Dumbo rats) and rats with mismatched eyes (one eye pale, the other dark).

Housing

Know this: a cage is never too big. Ideally, adult rats should be kept in a ferret cage, but for young rats, it may be safer to provide a smaller cage with bars that are closer together to prevent unauthorized nighttime escapades. It is important to allow the animal daily outings, but you must always keep an eye on it, as it could damage your sofa or potentially electrocute itself by chewing on an electrical wire. We also recommend purchasing an accurate scale (to the nearest gram) to weigh your rat weekly.

Popular accessories and toys:

• box with tissues to rest wool
• sock or mitten
• large hanging rope
• paper bag filled with hay
• exercise wheel
• small apple tree branches
• empty toilet paper roll
• crumpled paper box

Avoid:

• Wire cage bottom as it can cause foot sores (pododermatitis)
• Wood chips containing cedar or pine because they release aerosol compounds that can cause respiratory irritation and therefore respiratory infections. Choose aspen litter and recycled newspaper litter (Yesterday’s News), available at AnimaPlus. You can also use small napkins or paper towels.

Nutrition

The rat is omnivorous, meaning it can consume fruits, vegetables, cereal products, dairy products and animal proteins. For a balanced diet, the diet consists of:

• 80% Oxbow rat feed (Regal Rat), available at AnimaPlus
• 20% of cereals for rodents, fruits, vegetables and table food which is healthy
• A small amount of timothy hay is an excellent enrichment as well. Finally, don't forget fresh water, and consider a few apple branches (without pesticides) which are optional.
• To avoid: chocolate, raw eggs, raw meat, alcohol, coffee, tea, very sweet, fatty or salty foods

Common Health Problems

• Respiratory infections (viruses and mycoplasma)
• Tumors of the mammary glands
• Skin scabs secondary to parasites, especially mites
• Abscess

As with all other animals, a purchase examination carried out by an AnimaPlus veterinarian and then an annual examination is recommended.

For any further information, we will be happy to advise you, so do not hesitate to contact us.