Rat Haven Rescue - Sanctuary for Homeless Rats

This page will help you with general information regarding the care and needs of a pet rat. It will also give you some information about the animal to hopefully help you better determine if a rat is the right pet for you!

Diet:

   -High quality lab blocks should be the base of a rat's diet!

   -A healthy diet includes 80% dry food and 20% fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, kale, cooked sweet potatoes, grapes and bananas.

    -Treats should not exceed 10% of a rat's daily intake.

    -Clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water changed daily

    -Never feed a rat chocolate, alcohol or caffeine as these can cause serious medical problems.

    -A daily vitamin supplement is reccommended.

Feeding:

    -Food and water should always be available.

    -Offer small amounts of fruits and vegetables.

    -Discard food if not eaten within 24 hours.

Housing:

    -It is best to provide the largest habitat possible. Rats love to climb so a tall habitat is recommended as it will allow you to create challenges for your rat.

    -Rats acclimate to normal household temperatures, be cautiousof extreme temperature changes.

    -Habitats should never be in direct sunlight or in a drafty area.

    -Habitats can be of glass, plastic or metal and should have an escape-proof solid bottom. Be careful of areas that can be chewed off by your ratties when looking for that perfect cage.

    - 1 to 2 inches of paper (such as Carefresh) or Aspen bedding is reccomended. It is also helpful to litter box train your rats! I use the ferret corner litter boxes for my guys and just put a little recyled paper bedding in it.

Cleaning:

    -Remove wet spots daily.

    -Change bedding weekly or more often as needed.

    -Clean the habitat and its contents once a week with mild soap and water, rinse and allow it to dry completely before placing rats back into habitat.

    -Never house different types of small animals together and always introduce new rats to your current ones on neutral territory. A bathtub works well for introductions.

Average Size: 8 inches long between 1 and 2 pounds at maturity

Average Life Span: 2 1/2 years, although some can live as long as 4 to 5 years with proper care

-Rats are best Kept in Same-Sex Pairs. Never house male and female rats together unless you plan on having lots of babies!

-Rats are nocturnal and rest most of the day, although they have been known to adjust quite well to their owners schedule.

-Rats are intelligent, extremely social and enjoy human interaction. You must provide daily, supervised time for the rat outside of its habitat.

Signs of a Healthy Animal:

    -Active, alert and sociable

    -Healthy fur

    -Clear eyes

    -Eats and drinks regularly

    -Communicates by squeaking

    -Walks normally

Red Flags: 

    -Weight loss

    -Distressed breathing

    -Skin lesions

    -Abnormal hair loss

    -Lethargic

    -Overgrown teeth

    -Diarrhea or dirty bottom

    -Eye or nasal discharge

***If you notice any of these signs, please contact your exotic animal veterinarian.***