Buy Pet Rat
Once you have decided that rats are for you be sure to do some advanced planning before going to your nearest pet store and buying the first rat you see. Purchasing a new pet should never be an impulsive act. Research the aspects of rat ownership and be sure to have a cage, accessories, and the right food ready in advance.
buy pet rat
There are a couple of places to obtain pet rats such as pet stores, local breeders, local rescue centers, and by asking your veterinarian. No matter where you get your rat from you will need to take a small carrier with you, as they usually are not supplied. Many pet shops will only provide you with a small box or bag to put your rat in which will be frightening to a rat.
The rat that you choose is going to be your companion for several years, so take the time to handle and interact with the choices before you decide. Some rats are more active than others so try to find one with the qualities that you are looking for. You will want to avoid a rat that is skittish or squeaks whenever touched. Also avoid taking a rat that shows any signs of aggression. If you choose a rat that is skittish or aggressive you will need to consider that extra time must be spent to tame the rat. But a rat that begins its life with you already tamed will be much easier to deal with.
Once you arrive home with your new furry friend be sure to take it slow so that the rat will not be stressed out. Let the rat get used to his new environment and then begin offering him treats and handling him carefully. Some rats are shyer than others, but with time and patience your new rat will come to know and trust you.
"He was such a good care taker and so loving," Sharon Pankey, the boy's grandmother, told ABC News. "The dilemma is that taking care of the rat and wanting her to have a family ultimately lead to him dying."
"I put him to bed after a day at the doctor's office and the next thing I knew it just was too late," she said. "I went into his room and he couldn't speak. He was unstable on his feet. I got him down to my room and he collapsed on the floor. I called 911 because it was scaring me that his breathing was shallow and he seemed to be losing his ability to function."
"Obviously the family is devastated," said Hamilton Arendsen. "This was an all-around great ten year old boy doing everything ten year old boys like to do. He loved his friends, loved his family, and loved playing with animals. One day he was doing what normal 10-year-old boys do and the next day he is dead."
"We are deeply saddened by the Pankey family's tragic loss," the company said in a statement to ABC News. "The health and safety of people and pets is always our top priority and we take the family's concerns very seriously. We are investigating the claims and will respond when we have more information."
Rat-bite fever can caused by two different bacteria and when not treated can be serious or even fatal disease, according to the CDC's website. The disease is usually passed on from infected rodents or consumption of contaminated food or water.
Rats are very low maintenance pets to own. They are very comfortable in their own environment and can go long periods of the day without much attention. If you are the type of owner that is away for long periods of the day then pet rats may be a good choice for you.
A practical reason to get a pet rat is that they very rarely get sick. This means you will spend less time at the veterinarians and more time playing. Rats are naturally immune to many illnesses and disease which means they stay healthier for longer.
Fancy rats are very clean pets. In comparison to the common brown rats, the domesticated version prides itself in keeping clean. Rats like to groom themselves and enjoy being brushed and petted to keep clean.
Male rats do mark their territory when in a cage with two or more other rats and this can leave a distinctive smell. This will usually only happen when you first introduce a new rat and will only last for a few weeks.
Rats are notoriously easy to train and within a few weeks, you can get them to follow simple commands. These basic tricks include responding to their name, standing on their back legs and even jumping through hoops!
We love rats and think that more people should open their hearts to these friendly pets. Most pet stores stock all things rat related and you can pick up a pet rat in many different shapes, colours and sizes.
The Animal Rescue League adopts rats to be family pets. Under no circumstances should a rat be used for food for other animals; for experimentation or laboratory work; or for any other use other than as a family pet. The ARL strictly enforces this policy under the terms of the adoption contract.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is Iowa's largest nonprofit animal shelter, caring for many thousands of pets each year. The ARL serves people and pets from across the state of Iowa through its programs, which include pet adoption, humane education, pet behavior training, spay/neuter, animal cruelty intervention and much more.Learn More About Us
Little Pet Warehouse has one of the biggest range of specialist rat cages in the UK. We have everything from easy flatpack holiday rat cages, to cages for rats who like luxury with two or three floors! Lots of our cages come packed with free accessories. Unlike many online stores, these products are not drop shipped or ordered in, we hold everyhing you see below in stock for same day despatch so your pet rat could be settling in sooner than you think!Many cages designed for larger animals such as ferrets and chinchillas can also be used successfully for rats. Whichever cage you choose, it needs lots of climbing opportunities, good ventilation and space to hang plenty of toys and hammocks. It is also a good idea to add extra shelving to your cage. We recommend a maximum bar spacing of 19mm if you have very young rats. Go for the biggest cage you can afford - rats love to have room to play and should only be kept in groups, so it makes sense to give them plenty of space.
As a general rule, rats live for about two years."}},"@type": "Question","name": "How do you bond with a pet rat?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "Rats are highly intelligent creatures, and they enjoy your company. Hold yours in your hands and play gently, in short spurts at first until it's tamer. Keep your rat's cage in a quiet, safe area, so it always feels comfortable. Let them scamper around, award them with treats; both are great motivations for pet rats.","@type": "Question","name": "How do you get a pet rat out of hiding?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "If it's too bright or too noisy, pet rats may hide. You can try to lure it out with food treats, but it's really best to let your rat stay where it feels most comfortable and venture out when the crowd is clear."]}]}] .icon-garden-review-1fill:#b1dede.icon-garden-review-2fill:none;stroke:#01727a;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round > buttonbuttonThe Spruce PetsNewslettersClose search formOpen search formSearch DogsGetting Started
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Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet.SubscribeAbout UsNewsletterContact UsEditorial GuidelinesSmall PetsPet RatsFeeding Pet RatsByLianne McLeod, DVM Lianne McLeod, DVMLianne McLeod, DVM, is a small animal and exotic pet expert with over a decade of experience writing about veterinary care. After caring for animals in her veterinarian practice, Lianne went on to study biology and research water quality and chronic disease at the University of Saskatchewan.Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Editorial ProcessUpdated on 09/15/22Fact checked byEmily Estep Fact checked byEmily EstepEmily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Master of Science in Plant Biology from Ohio University. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than 200 articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy.Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Editorial Process Joanna Servaes / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Rats are highly intelligent creatures, and they enjoy your company. Hold yours in your hands and play gently, in short spurts at first until it's tamer. Keep your rat's cage in a quiet, safe area, so it always feels comfortable. Let them scamper around, award them with treats; both are great motivations for pet rats. 041b061a72