Rats as Pets

Most people consider rats as annoying little creatures, but it is not so. They can be fun-loving and adorable animals. If you are considering having rats as pets, you can be sure that they will entertain you for hours at end! Besides their friendly nature, it is also very easy to take care of them.

Difference Between Rats and Mice

Scientifically, there is no difference between rats and mice. Both belong to the same family, the rodent family. If there is any difference, it is only in their physical aspects. Rats are a little bigger than mice in size. The head of a rat is broader when compared to that of mice. Mice have muzzles which are pointed. Another physical difference lies in their ears. Rats ears are smaller than their heads, whereas mice have ears larger than their heads. So there won't be a lot of difference in having mice and rats as pets. Hence, if you were to debate on mice vs rats as pets, you'll realize that having either of them as pets will make you equally happy!

About Rats as Pets

Bringing a pet home is like introducing a new member in the family! It is always better to know all about the animal before buying it as a pet, as pet care is very important. The following are some of the important points to remember when you have pet rats:

• Rats have a life span of 2-5 years. However, a lifespan of five years is rare, as most rats do not live for more than three years.
• Water is very essential for a rat. Rats cannot survive for long without water.
• It is a common misconception that rats live on leftovers. Though rats can be given leftovers, it cannot be their everyday food. Rats can consume both plants as well as small insects and animals. Always feed a rat fresh food, including veggies, fruits and meal worms. Special pet food is also available for pet rats. If your 'Scabbers' is extraordinarily well behaved, you can give it a treat of a dry fruit or even a very tiny piece of chocolate!
• Rats should be kept in cages as they are hardcore foodies, and like to munch on anything from bread to books! There are special cages for rats which are quite cheap. For bedding, wood stove pellets or hardware shavings are good options. You could also try using shredded paper.
• Rats like to keep themselves clean and hence do not smell, so there is no need to give them a bath. However it is necessary to clean their cages from time to time so as to keep them free from urine odor.
• Respiratory diseases are most commonly found in rats, but if pet rats are not taken outside the house very often, there is little chance of this happening.

Getting Rats as Pets

Rats can be bought from pet shops or rat breeders. If you are buying a rat from a pet shop, you have to keep a few important things in mind such as the hygiene of the shop, the general health of the rat, and if the male rats and female rats have been kept in separate cages. It is safe to buy rats as pets from breeders. As they are breeders, they have all the required information about rats, and thus the possibility of getting healthy rats are high. You can also think of adopting a rat as a pet from rescuers. They won't cost much, but again you have to be careful about their health. While choosing an ideal rat for your pet look out for following things:

• Female rats can get pregnant at a very young age (as early as four to five weeks). So remember to either choose a female rat below four weeks or a male rat.
• Most people prefer male rats as pets, as they are a little less energetic as compared to female rats, and hence make perfect pets for younger children.
• Sneezing, discharge from the nose, eyes or ears, and puffiness around the face are all symptoms of ill rats. Don't choose such rats as pets. Healthy rats are active and have thick fur.

Rats as Pets for Kids

If your child has been pestering you for a pet since a long time, think about bringing home your very own 'Stuart Little!' Rats as pets for kids are a great idea! While having rats as pets, you need to remember that they are social animals. They like to be played with, and hence, kids really enjoy having them as pets. Rats also have good memory. They can remember their names and can also be trained, with very little effort. So kids get a chance to boast about training their rat as well! One more advantage of buying fancy rats as pets for kids is that they don't bite, even when you play with them. Unlike other pets, rats take minimum space, so your house is always big enough for one!

Caring for Your Pet Rat

The most important thing to remember is never to keep male and female rats together. As earlier stated, rats can get pregnant in a short span of four-five weeks and a rat litter can have anywhere between one and twenty babies! And remember, this cycle will continue with the new babies too! So if you have opted for male and female rats, make sure you keep them separately. The best option, however, is to buy a rat of the same sex. In their short life span of three years, rats can encounter some common problems like respiratory diseases, parasitic infections etc. It is always advisable to take the pet rat to a good vet rather than treating it at home. To buy pet products for your pet rat is also a way of caring for them. Rats are fond of climbing things, so bring home a bird rope or a ladder. Rats are also fond of digging, so you can buy a digging box, or even make one! As we all know, nibbling on something or the other is one of the most popular activity among rats. So give all your waste cardboard boxes to your mickey mouse and make it happy! Rats are also highly energetic animals, and do not like being cooped up in a cage all day long. You will need to take them out for an hour or so, but remember to block all holes as the rat might escape. Also remember to keep other pets like cats and dogs away from the rat when it is out.

Few Things to Remember

• More than anything, rats love company, so it is always advisable to keep more than one rat of the same sex together in a cage. Most people recommend having 3 rats of varying ages.
• Rats, being nocturnal animals are extra active at night! Giving them their type of company will allow you to have undisturbed sleep!
• Rats are tiny animals, they can get hurt easily. Care has to be taken while handling them. When they are left out of their cages, one should be careful not to step on them.
• It is not advisable to keep a rat as a pet if anyone in the house is suffering from asthma. Keep this in mind, especially while bringing rats as pets for children.
• Don't make any wild rat your pet, as it might be diseased. Choose a rat from a pet shop. There are many varieties of rats, like brown, black or white rats. Children usually fancy white rats as pets. Some may choose jumbo rats as pets, or small rats as pets.

So, is keeping rats as pets more difficult than you thought? Then take a load of this: In India, there is a temple, which is completely dedicated to rats! The temple is home to over a thousand rats, that are worshiped! So it shouldn't be too difficult to take care of a just a couple of rats, should it?