Rats belong to a group of mouse-like rodents that includes over one thousand species. Their history can be traced back thousands of years to Southeast and Central Asia, China and India, where they are thought to have originated. The black rat arrived in Europe in the 12th century as the shipping trade began to flourish. Its cousin, the brown rat, arrived in the early 18th century. These early rats conjure up images of disease carrying rodents. The domestic varieties have been bred for many years to be quiet, affectionate, intelligent and safe.

Rats are natural scavengers and gnawers and will chew and eat virtually anything. Inquisitive creatures, rats love to explore having the ability to find their way through a maze after having explored it only once. With encouragement and hand fed treats, rats can also be trained to perform tricks.

Fancy rats are descendants of the brown rat, which are thought to have originated from Asia. The keeping and breeding of fancy rats became popular in the early 1900's. As a result of captive breeding there are now many different colours and coat types, such as Rex and even Hairless!

Rats make great pets, are very friendly and rarely bite. They require a large cage but are straight forward to care for. Rats get a bad press but can make great fun pets for children and adults alike, they can be trained to do tricks and after time will learn their own name just like dogs and cats. They live for about 2-3 years. Male rats tend to be bigger but more docile so are probably more suited to younger children than the smaller and quicker female.

Rats are natural scavengers and gnawers and will chew and eat virtually anything. Inquisitive creatures, rats love to explore having the ability to find their way through a maze after having explored it only once. With encouragement and hand fed treats, rats can also be trained to perform tricks.

Rats make extremely good family pets; they are very intelligent and become quite tame with regular handling. There are different colour variations available such as: white, black, agouti and chocolate. Rats are not very expensive to keep, however, they need lots of exercise and stimulation, so buy the largest cage you can afford. There are many different types of rodent cage available, however, it is essential that the cage you buy is designed for rats and NOT for smaller rodents such as hamsters. Perhaps the most suitable type of enclosure is either a large wire multi level cage or an aquarium with a well ventilated and secure lid as rats are extremely agile and can jump up to two feet or more!

Rats in the wild are scavengers and will eat a wide range of foods. In captivity you should provide your rats with a varied diet. The basis of a good diet should consist of a dry rat mix containing a mixture of seeds, peanuts and biscuits. This should be supplemented with cooked egg and washed and dried vegetables, such as sprouts, carrots, cress, tomatoes and apples. There are also a number of snacks and treats available for rats. Remember your rats' basic diet should consist of a dry rat mixture, all green foods and treats should be fed in moderation to avoid upsetting his stomach.

All feed bowls should be sturdy,heavy, gnaw proof and easily cleaned. Uneaten food should be removed daily and the food bowl thoroughly washed. Remember your rats will drink a lot compared to other rodents, so make sure clean, fresh water is available at all times.

Extruded food:

Extruded food is a premium dry food that provides your rats with all the goodness they need in every mouthful.

Extruded food combats selective feeding whereby your rats may only eat their favourite bits out of their muesli mix and therefore miss out on the nutritional benefits of the rejected food. Extruded food includes all the same ingredients as muesli, but is mixed up, cooked and squashed into small pellets, so every pellet eaten is tasty and provides an ideal, balanced diet.

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Supplements

Rats should have plenty of things to chew on for their teeth, such as a mineral block or special chew.

Pets at Home dried fruit and vegetables make a good treat for them too.

Rats normally stay healthy throughout their lives, however, they can be prone to a number of common complaints. Most of these can be avoided with correct care and attention. Rats can be prone to breathing problems, if your rat starts sneezing and is scratching excessively; and there are no signs of mites this may mean your rats are allergic to something. Cedar wood shaving can sometimes cause allergic reactions in rats.

When you are choosing a new pet it is important to ensure it is healthy. Rats are no different. The more familiar you become with your new friends, the easier it will be to spot any changes, and to get these treated by your local vet. The following points will help you choose healthy rats.

Eyes

Their eyes should be bright and fully open. Check to see that there is no swelling around the eye area and that they are free from discharge.

Mouth and Nose

You rats nose should be clean and free from discharge, and the skin should look healthy. The mouth should also be clean, dribbling for instance can be a sign of problems.

Behaviour

The rats should be both alert and active.

Skin and Coat

The rats coat ought to be well groomed and free from matting and soiling. The skin that you can see, such as the tail and ears, should be pink and clean.

Breathing

As with most pets it is vital that you check their breathing, your rats should be able to breath easily, quietly and regularly.

Rats are social animals so are best kept in pairs or groups, if they are kept alone they must have lots of contact from you. Male rats tend to be more relaxed and calm than females, who usually are very active and enjoy playing.

How to handle me

When you first get your rats home it is best to leave them alone for the first day or two, to allow them to get used to their new home. Allow your rats to sniff your hand before you handle them as this will help them get used to your smell. Gently stroke your rats in their cage to reassure them, once they allow you to do this they will normally allow you to pick them up. Your rats should be gently scooped up with two hands, never pick them up by their tails. Once your rats become tame they will enjoy coming out to play at regular intervals.

Remember your rats like to chew, so whenever you let them out of their cage they must be supervised at all times.

There is a wide selection of toys and entertainment available in store for your rat.

Rats are extremely active pets and should be provided with exercise daily. They are susceptible to chewing so ensure that all electric cables are securely piped or out of reach. They are also excellent escape artists and can get through the smallest holes, so be sure to keep an eye on them if they are out of their cage.