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Pet Rats: the Secrets of Pet Rat Care | Pet Rat Health | Pet Rat Training

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 2 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #1841 in Animals, #42684 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

Rats as pets? You bet! Find the secrets of pet rat care, have a wonderful time with your pet rats!

 

Rats are often conceived by people as dirty, disgusting, even dangerous. Small wonder. They are depicted like that in many books and movies, which engraved them as such in the collective human mind.

But the truth is different. If raised properly, pet rats can make wonderful companions. They are intelligent and social and cuddly, and can easily be trained.

But in order to succeed, you have to know what to do to raise them properly, and just as important - what NOT to do. You have to know the secrets of pet rat care.

Many people grow rodents at home. Hamsters, mice, and gerbils are very common, and no wonder - they are conceived as "cuter" than rats... As a result, there are plenty of guides for raising them. But very few exist for raising rats, and none more comprehensive than Pet Rats by Colin Patterson.

Pet rats: fancy facts about "fancy rats" 

Did you know pet rats are commonly known as "fancy rats"?

- Pet rats are nicknamed "fancy rats". Not because they are considered fancy or anything, but simply because there are people who fancy them!
- There are two common types of rat - brown rat and black rat. Pet rats are usually brown rats.
- Male rats commonly weigh 13-26oz (400-800gr). Female rats commonly weigh 8-15oz (250-450gr).
- Male pet rats are called "bucks", female pet rats are called "does".
- rats usually live between 2 and 3 years. The longest-living rat known to humans - which grew up in a lab - lived for more than 7 years!

Find many other fancy facts about fancy rats in Pet Rats by Colin Patterson!

So why do you need a pet rat care guide, and "Pet Rats" in particular? 

Raising pet rats isn't as simple as it sounds. Colin Patterson's guide, Pet Rats, will tell you:
- How to make your pet rat feel comfortable, both in and out of the cage, and when you cuddle it.
- What you have to do - and what not to do - to keep your pet rat healthy and living longer, and save on vet visits (which would also save you money).
- What kind of cage your pet rat needs, and what bedding should be on its floor.
- What kinds of food your pet rat needs, and which foods are bad for its health.
- How to prevent your pet rat from chewing on furniture and cables - that's extremely important; chewing on a power cable can kill your rat.
- How to have children and pet rats living in harmony.
- How to nurse female pet rats through pregnancy and birth.
- How to discipline your pet rat.
- How to make toys that would keep your pet rat alert, curious, and active.
- How to teach your pet rat tricks!

and there's so much more information and advice in Pet Rats, the great pet rat guide by Colin Patterson.

About Colin Patterson 

Colin patterson, the author of Pet Rats, is a native of Boston, Massachusettes. He has raised more than 1000 rats as pets over almost three decades. That's almost 30 years of experience!

I'd like to hear from you! 

Are you a pet rat owner? Or would you like to become one? Did you get Pet Rats? Did you like this lens? or anything else... feel free!

icat

Hi Alina!
Congratulations on getting Shasta, you must be excited!
Shasta's fast breathing may be the result of stress from moving to a new place and a new owner. I trust that you have gotten her as comfortable as you could in her new cage, but still the may be anxious. New conditions require some getting used to. Get this book for all the tips on how to make Shasta feel as comfortable as possible.
In any case, if you feel worried, I'd recommend not taking chances and taking her to a vet.
Have fun with Shasta,

Ian

Posted April 18, 2008
Alina

my friend has a rat named Nico and she is soo cute! it inspired me to get one and her name is Shasta. I've had her for a few days, and she looks a little sick, and shes breathing really fast. The people said when i bought her that rats just have a high heart rate and that she will be fine. I don't think so. What do you think?

Posted April 18, 2008

icat

Hello Presh.
Baby rats generally need the same bedding grown rats do, but you have to provide the pregnant mothe's cage with extra bedding, as she will build a "nest" for her offspring from the extra bedding. Bits of newspaper will do fine for this.
As for making rats live longer, it is a matter of looking after their health and general care, among other things. I strongly advise that you purchase Colin Patterson's Pet Rats guide, where you'll find everything you need to know.
Good luck,
Ian

Posted April 03, 2008
presh

hey i am thinking about letting my rats have babies soon so got any tips and what is the best hay to use ive been using shredded newpaper is that ok? anyways i also wanted to know if u have any ways to keep rats living longer

Posted April 02, 2008

icat

Hi Carey.
Sorry it's been so long, I was away to a place with no computer access...
By now the problem must have solved itself one way or the other, or you have taken her to a vet. Let me still ask - has your female been eating properly during this time? Was her odor normal? Was she otherwisw showing signs of discomfort, sneezing, having trouble breathing?
Again I apologize for the very long delay, and hope your fancy rat is back in perfect health.

yours,

Ian

Posted March 29, 2008
 
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Related topics: pet rats,  blue pet rat,  blue rat care,  Animals & Nature,  more

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icat

About icat

Hi Everybody. I'm Ian, love animals, pets, and the people who raise them and love them!

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