The Ultimate Guide to Raising and Caring for Pet Fancy Rats, Hairless Rats and Dumbo Rats

When people think of rats, they think of dirty, smelly, garbage-eating street rats. When in reality, rats are quite clean. Like cats, they are constantly cleaning themselves and they may not be fastidious, but they do keep their nests quite clean. Pet rats, also known as Fancy Rats are very different from an ordinary street rat. I have three reasons why rats do not deserve their filthy reputation.

1. Fancy rats as a species are very social animals and they have been bred for generations to be friendly to humans. It is well-known to people who have rodents, that a hamster or rabbit is more likely to bite than a fancy rat. Pet Rats crave contact and attention which makes them perfect for anyone who needs an interactive family pet.

2. Fancy rats are very intelligent animals. They can be trained to do many entertaining and useful tricks. Just like dogs, fancy rats fetch, roll over, sit up, stay, and play dead. But unlike dogs, rats can get into small spaces, so if you drop something out of reach - your pet rat can go retrieve it. All you need is a little bit of patience and some tasty food to encourage your rat to do what you want.

3. Fancy rats are small in live in cages for the most part. This makes them easy to clean up after. A simple change of bedding once a week is all that needs to be done to keep you pet rat's space clean and smelling fresh. A word of advise is to use a box with a high side, approximately 3" high, to catch any shavings that may get pushed through the bars as the rats clean their nest.

Fancy rats make perfect pets for people that do not have the time to go for walks twice a day and do not like their furniture clawed to shreds. Rats and their habitats take up very little space and are easily kept in an apartment where dogs may not be allowed. They are specially bred with a calm demeanor and a willing attitude. These fancy rats are great companions and don't share any common traits with the ill-thought of street rats.

Anyone looking for a new pet wants a pet that is clean, socialized and well trained. Most people don't know that these are all qualities of pet rats!

There are many misconceptions about rats. People think that rats are unclean and carry disease. In fact, rats are quite clean and groom themselves several times a day. These aren't sewer rats we're talking about. These pet rats, or fancy rats as they're called, have been domesticated and bred in captivity for at least 150 years. Pet rats are quite tame after living with humans for so many generations and you'll find that they are nothing like their stereotypes.

Rats are very intelligent animals. Some consider rats to have intelligence close or equal to that of dogs. Rats are capable of learning to come when their names are called. They can even be litter trained just as easily as training a cat.

If you have any experience with other rodents such as hamsters, mice or gerbils you may be afraid of biting. Although biting is common with other rodents, it is almost unheard of with domesticated rats. Unlike their rodent cousins, rats are generally docile creatures. Most of the time rats just like to lay around, especially males. Rats can easily be trained to be good lap or shoulder pets.

In the wild, rats live together in colonies and have a complex social structure. These social instincts carry over to pet rats. Pet rats tend to develop strong bonds with humans and with their cage mates. So much so that it is common for rats to become very depressed when a cage mate passes away.

There are many apartments that won't allow dogs or cats, and it may simply not be practical to have larger pets in some houses. In those situations a pet rat is the perfect solution. Cages for pet rats usually don't consume much room at all, usually just a two foot by two foot space, which makes pet rats great for small apartments.

Rats are friendly and intelligent animals and make great first pets for children. Being clean and easy to care for makes them great companions for the elderly. Go out and get your pet rat today!

Congratulations on owning your new pet fancy rat. Weather this is your first fancy rat or one of many, the first few weeks are very important to your relationship. Pet rats are naturally curious and social animals but depending on the first few weeks of a pet rat's life they can be happy and well rounded or nervous and skittish. It is your responsibility as the owner to make sure your fancy rat has everything he needs to thrive.

Most importantly is a proper cage. A large cage with bars approximately 1 1/2 centimeters apart or less works best. Anything larger and your rat will try to escape and may even get his head caught. Hamster or bird cages are perfect because they provide enough space for climbing and are well ventilated. I would not recommend rabbit/guinea pig cages because the bars are spaced to far apart. The Hamster habitats they sell in pet stores are too small for an adult rat but are great for mice. Another option is a reptile or fish tank (without the water of course) Make sure to have a lid that will fit securely with lots of ventilation.



Finding the appropriate space in your home for your pet rat is also very important. Although rats are nocturnal they are still awake for long periods during the day. Their strong need for companionship means that putting your rat's cage in a bed room or any room that does not get traffic could mean that your rat is not getting enough attention. On the other hand putting your rat in the entry way of your home where there is too much commotion is not great ether. The best place is somewhere out of direct sun light where you can watch and talk to your rat through out the day.

Making sure your pet rat is in a safe, secure and comfortable space is just as important to their health as fresh food and water. Rats love to be around people they are familiar with, and they thrive on continued consistent attention just as any social creature does. When you walk past your pet rat's cage and they eagerly greet you with an enthusiastic climb up the cage to meet you, you can rest assure you have done a good job!

The Chinese calender recycles itself every 12 years, 2008 was the most recent year of the Rat and the beginning of a new cycle.
People born in the year of the Rat exude great leadership qualities they are natural leaders and are responsible. they demonstrate a strong presence that other people respect.

In China, a person born in the year of the Rat is respected and considered a courageous and enterprising person. To be born in the year of the Rat is an honor and it is considered a privilege to be associated with a Rat. Rats know exactly where to find solutions and can take care of themselves and others without to much trouble. They use their keen sense of observation to help others in times of need. Among all of the Animal signs Rats are most likely to survive almost any situation.

Rats are very intelligent animals. They will often find ways to outsmart people who set traps, by taking the food without getting caught. Pet rats can be trained to come when called and do heaps of tricks.

Rats are very friendly and tend to love people and even other larger animals, like dogs. My little rat Summer loves to snuggle up with Charlie the dog. Rats like to sit on peoples' shoulders and chatter into their ears.
Hairless Rat



Rats are ticklish. If you tickle their bellies they will laugh a very high pitched laugh that can be picked up by the equipment people use to listen to bats. How cute!

Rats are adorable. I love wild rats too, but pet rats come in all kinds of colours. You can even get Dumbo rats that have adorable large ears and silky rats that have the softest fur. Average brown rats have intelligent looking eyes and very cute faces.
Dumbo Rat



Rats are not picky eaters. They like to try a bit of everything and always like to sample a little of your leftovers. Thinking up their meals is fun, as they can have their cereal/block as a base and more exciting things as a side dish.

Rats love to hoard things. When they find an attractive piece of fluff or paper. They will carry it in their mouths and hop back to their homes like a little kangaroo.

Rats are very sociable. They love to play both with humans and with other rats. It is important to get more than one rat (of the same sex), so that they can snuggle together at night in their ratty hammock and play together in the day. They will still bond with you just as much.



Look at all those reasons to love rats. Perhaps you should give them a chance after all?

You have decided that it is time to start teaching your pet rat some tricks. Here are some tips to help walk you through the process from start to finish. To begin you must have patience and a decent amount for time everyday to spend with your rat.

The method I use through out this series is positive reinforcement. It is simple to follow, whenever your rat does not listen or does something he was not asked to do, you simply do not reward him. When he does complete the task or has made progress towards that end then you will give him a small reward. (Something that will not take long for him to eat and will not fill him up. Ex. Your fancy rat's favorite fruit cut up very small)

The first and most important trick you must teach your rat is to come when called. It is as simple as calling his name and when he gets to you then reward him. It may take a few tries, but once he understands, you can start to make it more challenging. Try sitting around a corner then call him, sit just out of sight of your rat but not so far away that he cannot find you. Remember to keep it simple. Say "rats name come!" then wait for a count of five and try again.



If your rat catches on right away that is great, but do not over do it by asking him repeatedly to come when called. A good rule of thumb is the rule of 3, once your rat has done the trick 3 times in a row properly then you know he has got it and you can let him have a rest.

If your fancy rat is not responding well to this simple trick it is best not to get upset but to take a time out and spend some more time just hanging out with your pet rat. Some problems could be that the space you are working in has too many distractions. Perhaps he has not heard his name enough or maybe he has not associated you as a friend yet. Once you have taken some time out to asses and adjust the situation then try again!

In the wild rats will eat just about anything. This behavior could be seen as disgusting or you can look at it as a developed pallet not unlike your own! When considering how or what is safe to feed your pet rat things consider might be: Time constraints during meal time in your home, convenience and your budget.

Most pet stores have a rat mix that you can buy by the bag. Not all Pet Rat Food mixtures are considered equal and you should read the ingredients before purchasing. The best mixes contain a wide variety of seeds, fruit and vegetables, as well as all of the vitamins your fancy rat needs. If your local pets shop does not have one made for rats then you can substitute with hamster or gerbil mixes. I do not recommend the rabbit/guinea pig pellets because most rats will get board and not eat plane pellets.



You can find things in your home to give your rat. Things like non citrus fruit, mineral rich vegetables and cooked meat. Fancy rats also love seeds, nuts and wheat products. Fruit like oranges and grape fruit contain acids that will cause indigestion in your rats system. Pet rats do not have the ability to pass gas easily and too much citrus acid could be deadly. Vegetables that contain more water than mineral rich material like celery and iceberg lettuce are not recommended because they hold no nutritional value.

Your pet rat always needs clean water. The best way to provide fresh water is in a gravity fed water bottle which can be found at any pet store. They are great for keeping shavings and droppings out of your rat's drinking water. I never recommend a bowl unless it is only for a temporary bath because it does not take long to get dirty and if they spill your rat will have to sleep in a soggy bed.

When selecting a cage for your fancy rat to live in, there are some important things to look for. Your rat needs to be safe and feel comfortable in his environment. There must be plenty of fresh food, water and adequate air circulation. Plus your rat must have lots of space to move around and get exercise when he is not being handled.

Most importantly is a proper cage. A large cage with bars approximately 1 1/2 centimeters apart or less will work best. If the bars of the cage are farther apart then your rat may try to escape and even get his head caught. I would not recommend rabbit/guinea pig cages because the bars are spaced to far apart. The Hamster habitats with all the tunnels they sell in pet stores are too small for an adult rat but are great for mice. My rats have always done well with the two story hamster cages and bird cages with lots of toys to climb on.



Another option is a reptile or fish tank (without the water of course) Anything less than 20 gallons is likely too small but if that is all you have then be diligent about taking your rat out for at least an hour every day so he can run around. Make sure to have a lid on the tank that will fit securely with lots of ventilation.

In the wild rats will eat just about anything, so don't be surprised if your pet fancy rat does the same. Most pet stores have a rat mix that you can buy by the bag. If your local pets shop does not have one made for rats then you can substitute with hamster or gerbil mix. Again I do not recommend the rabbit/guinea pig pellets because most rats will get board and not eat plane pellets.

You can find things in your home to give your rat. Things like non citrus fruit, Mineral rich vegetables and cooked meat. When you are finished your supper you can usually give your rat the leftovers. Be sure to stay away from fatty foods and over feeding your rat! Your rat will always need clean water, the best way to provide fresh water is in a gravity fed water bottle. They can be found at any pet store and are great for keeping shavings and other debris out of your rat's drinking water. I never recommend a bowl because they will get dirty quickly and if they spill your rat will have to sleep in a soggy bed.

When you follow these simple tips you are giving your pat rat adequate space and a safe place to play, sleep and eat. When your rat feels safe and happy in his living space then he will likely be more friendly and cooperative when outside his environment.