About pet rats

Rats make excellent pets, if you know how to properly take care of them. Fortunately the internet is a great resource when it comes to caring for rats. Here's a list I've compiled of semi-quotes and websites that, in a nutshell, will help you "get it on" with pet rats.

  Getting rats

• Get at least 2 rats from the same sex
  
• Don't buy your rats from a pet store, get them from a shelter or breeder (rattery)
  

Read on: Your First Rats, FAQs, Rattery/dierenwinkel, Rattery Ratcity, SNOR

  A cage

• Your cage should be at least ± 80 × 50 × 80 cm (W × D × H)
  
• Rats very much like to climb, so a wire cage would be ideal
  
• Decorate your cage with lots of hammocks, houses, ladders, ramps, tubes, platforms, etc.
  
• Don't use cedar or pine wood shavings for bedding/litter
  

Read on: A Home For Your Rats, Product Reviews, Cage Calculator, Rat Toy Ideas, Cage pictures

  Food

• Rats need a specialized, balanced diet, which should include some meat
  
• At least ±90% of everything they eat should consist of this diet, which leaves 10% for extras
  
• Rats love (healthy) extras, such as vegetables, fruits, dried bread, rice, etc.
  
• Avoid giving your rats treats that contain fats and sugars (e.g. yogurt drops)
  

Read on: What should I feed my rat?, Care Guide: Diet, Ratcityvoer

  Health

• Rats are prone to respiratory problems and (mammary) tumours
  
• Make sure you've found a vet that has experience with rats in advance
  
• A rabbit/guinea pig cage makes an excellent hospital cage, just in case
  

Read on: Rat Guide, The Rat Sewer, Hospital cage

  General information

• Rats are intelligent, social, and bond well with their owners
  
• Rats don't see very well, but they have good hearing and excellent sense of smell
• Rats generally live about 2 to 3 years
  

Read on: Fancy-Rats.co.uk, Rat Behavior and Biology, TammeRatten.nl