Rats are intelligent and social animals that make great companions as pets. Pet rats may be easier than you think to care for, though that doesn’t mean they require low maintenance; at least an hour per day of attention and exercise time outside their cages should be enough exercise time1. Furthermore, rats are easily handled making them great candidates for someone looking for tactile pets!
Pet Rat Facts
Average lifespan for a pet rat ranges between 18-36 months. Most commonly kept as pets are Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), sometimes also called common, brown, street, sewer or wharf rats.
Norway rats typically measure nine to eleven inches long with tail length varying between seven and nine inches. Their bodies have numerous markings as well as breed varieties including standard/smooth, rex, hairless and tailless varieties. As these creatures are nocturnal they will likely be most active at night.
Rats are social creatures and thrive when housed with other rats or in groups of them.
Male rats are known as bucks, female rats as does and babies as pups. General speaking, male rats are larger and lazier than their counterparts with coarser coats; female rats, on the other hand, tend to be smaller with more active and playful behavior than their counterparts.
Male rats become sexually mature at approximately 6-10 weeks; female rats reach sexual maturity eight-12 weeks. To avoid inadvertent matings before this point, make sure males and females are separated before reaching maturity age.
Female rats at puberty enter into heat every four to five days for 24 hours at a time, appearing agitated or restless during this period and making breeding rats extremely easy.
Rats as Pets
Since rats are highly social animals, it’s best to keep them with similar-sexed pairs or groups. Male rats typically get along well when introduced at an early age or introduced as littermates.
Handling rats from an early age doesn’t make it harder to tame multiple rats at once; you won’t have any difficulty developing a relationship with each individual rat pet if you own multiples of them. Many owners love the curiosity of their rodent companions and even compare it with dog companionship!
Where Can You Find a Pet Rat
There are a few different options available to you when looking for the ideal pet rat. While pet stores can be great places to look, just be sure their staff know about caring for rats properly – make sure they keep them in clean housing, provide healthy diet and handle them regularly; male and female rats should also be kept separate so there are no surprises from unexpected litters!
Breeders (also called ratteries) offer the best chance at finding well-socialized young rats. An experienced breeder will ensure that each baby rat is handled from early on in life, providing socialization from birth. Furthermore, breeders may offer specific coat types or unique color varieties not readily available elsewhere.
Animal shelters should always be considered when looking to rescue a rat in need. Take time to check local shelters or search online for rescue groups dedicated to rats; you’re looking for one with good temperament but keep in mind that these animals may initially be skittish; with patience and persistence they usually become less shy with time.
Avoid rats who are aggressive. This can be hard to overcome as most rats aren’t predisposed to being such animals.
Finding a Pet Rat
When selecting a rat as a potential pet, be wary of ones that become panicky when handled, especially those that do not quickly relax after handling. Conversely, steer clear of too-quiet rats as these may indicate illness; conversely a curious rat may make for the perfect choice!