What types of rat are there?
In contrast to mice, there are only a
few varieties of rats. Laboratory breeding gave
rise to two albino strains of comparable size to
the brown (wild) rat, and a smaller, bi-colored
strain. This is known as the 'hooded' rat - a
white rat with the appearance of having a hood by
the presence of a differently colored head and
shoulders, with the color extending down the
length of the spine. The first of these had black
hoods but now you can find a variety including chocolate,
cinnamon, fawn, cream and agouti. Hooded rats are
not always 'hooded' however, and can be entirely
colored. There is also a strain which is black
with white feet known as the black Irish.
Where does the domestic rat come from?
Pet
rats came about through the mutant albino strain
of the wild rat, which even today shows more
tolerance and affection towards humans than their colored
counterparts. This was observed some centuries ago
and due to their natural tameness they were
adopted as laboratory animals. Most pet rat types
have been bred from the same laboratory stock.
Do rats make good pets?
Put simply, rats make wonderful pets.
If you have kept other small pets such as gerbils
or hamsters you will be astounded by your first
rat. Far from simply putting up with human
contact, rats actually seem to enjoy it and seek
it out at any opportunity. Rats are clever and
determined and require a lot of stimulation if
they are to be kept happy. Ideally, they will need
to be given frequent access to areas of your house
for exercise. Rats are large enough and bold
enough that, with proper care and attention, there
should be little risk of losing them. It
might be wise to choose the sex of a rat based on
what kind of pet you want. Very often male rats
are more appreciative of human contact and are
generally more of a 'lap dog' than females.
Females are usually far more active, being
inquisitive and excitable.
What kind of housing do they need?
Rats are such inveterate gnawers that
soft-wood cages would never contain them. Suitable
cage building materials include hardwood, molded
plastics, metal and glass. Ideally the rat should have plenty
of space for exercise in all forms - running and
climbing, and also plenty of places for food
hoarding and toilet habits. Try to avoid mesh since
rats have been known to get their teeth stuck
between wiring. In saying that, standard aquariums
are also not ideal. Try to find an aquarium with
ventilation lower down in the tank, since rats
suffer greatly from respiratory disease. If
using a wood-based cage it is advisable to have
the floor tiled to make cleaning easier.
How much exercise do rats need?
Rats are intelligent enough to
enjoy the challenge of finding their way to a
goal - some prized tidbit - through a a maze
constructed for them by an understanding owner.
They also seem to appreciate freedom to explore
their own room. If you must give them an
exercise wheel, make sure it of the solid
variety, since they make get their tails caught
between the wires of an open wheel.
Do rats need bathed or groomed? Will the cage
need a lot of cleaning?
Rats do not generally smell if kept
in hygienic conditions. Floor litter will
generally need renewing at least once per week.
It is a good idea to scrub the cage at the same
time, especially if using a wooden-based cage.
Keep another cage handy to house them in when
you are doing this. Try to keep hold of a
certain amount of their bedding to return to the
cage after cleaning. This is unlikely to be
dirty and will comfort your rat. Also, if your
rat enjoys hoarding food or prized possessions
from its room, try not to disturb his hoard too
often. Rats are fastidious about their personal hygiene
and will groom themselves adequately without
help from their owners.
What should rats be fed?
Rats are omnivorous, meaning
they can eat both meat and vegetables. It
is a good idea to feed your rat with bowls
that can be scalded in hot water after use
to maintain cleanliness. The basis of your rat's
diet should be whole or rolled oats or wholemeal
bread and milk. Raw fruit and vegetables
should be given daily. Favorites include
carrot, celery and apple. Green food
should be fed only in moderation -
dandelion, watercress and raw spinach
being considered particularly good. Citrus
fruits should be avoided as the acetic
acid content can cause bloating and
stomach problems. Hay is
also important to rats. A salt lick is not
really required as rats get most of their
required intake from their food.
How do I handle my rat?
Despite their
obvious agility, rats are particularly
docile and gentle being held. If handled
frequently from when they emerge from the
nest, rats will become incredibly tame and
easy to handle. They are most easily tamed
by feeding from the hand, a practice it is
wise to continue throughout their life.
Once your rat trusts you and is easily
handled, it is accepted practice to scoop
a rat up with one hand, supporting his
belly in your hand.
What ailments are rats prone to?
Like most other small animals, rats
do not have strong recuperative powers - the
emphasis being on prevention through very high
standards of care. Rats are prone to respiratory
tract infections such as bronchitis and
pneumonia. Avoid sudden changes in temperature,
draughts and dampness which may lead to these
conditions. Another common complaint is an
allergic reaction to dusty hay or sawdust. Use
only best quality hay and softwood shavings
rather than sawdust as a floor litter, as
sawdust aggravates chest problems. As
rodents, rats' front teeth grow continuously - fruit tree branches, chicken bones
and shelled nuts provide a good source of
chewing material. Overgrown incisors must be
avoided at all costs since, although still
carried out, clipping of teeth fractures the
teeth and can cause further complications.
Female rats are 80% more likely to develop mammary
tumors. Although these are mostly benign, it is
something worth considering.
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