Rats live for approximately 2 years, but this can vary depending on their genetics and care. Sometimes they can live for longer than 2 years, so you should be prepared to care for them their whole lifetime.  

The initial cost of buying rats and starting equipment is usually quite affordable, however you must always consider the ongoing costs associated with housing, food, bedding, toys, holiday care and veterinary fees.  

Rats should have plenty of space to exercise and explore. The rats in your care should have enough space to adventure in the cage and find places to hide from their companions. As with any small animal, the bigger the housing the better. Rats are usually most active at dawn, dusk, and night so it’s best to keep them somewhere quiet, so they aren’t disturbed too much when they may be asleep during the day.  

Rats should, at minimum, have a spacious home, a water bottle with a metal sipper, appropriate food, and a safe place to sleep. They should also have areas to climb, burrow, run about, and explore during the day. Popular accessories include hammocks, ropes and ladders to take advantage of vertical space and levels in the cage. They especially enjoy the chance to burrow into soil or soil substitutes. 

Rats are friendly and social animals that enjoy the company of other rats. They should be housed in a same-sex pair or group to prevent unwanted pregnancies. It’s best to get your rats at the same time if they’ve been bonded and kept together previously.  

Rats require regular handling to ensure they’re comfortable interacting with people. They don’t always react well to being roughly handled and may nip, because of this. Once rats have been socialised and are used to being held they are very unlikely to bite, however they must always be handled gently, and children must always be supervised. Unlike other small animals, rats tend to cling on so are less easily dropped. Of course, any handling by children should always be supervised by a responsible adult. 

Rats are omnivores, which means that they can eat both meat and plant material. To ensure they have a complete and balanced diet, they should be fed a diet made specifically for rats. 'Nugget or pellet type foods can be used to reduce the chance of selective feeding. They can be given fruits, vegetables, or herbs as part of their daily food allowance – options include carrots, banana, pear, and basil. Be careful not to overfeed as obesity in pet rats is common. Other treats such as lean cooked meat, cooked egg, or mealworms should also only be given in moderation.  

Rats should be fed twice a day, with portion sizes determined by the instructions on packaging of nuggets or pellets. You can place their food in a clean, shallow dish in their cage or scattered around their cage to encourage foraging.  

Sugary and high-fat foods like dairy can cause health problems in rats if fed in large quantities. Completely avoid foods such as onion and green/unripe potatoes. Before giving your rats any new fruit or vegetables make sure to double check that they’re safe to give. 

Rats can be cautious about trying new things, and get used to their regular food so gradually introduce a new food.  Introduce a small amount and build this up gradually.  

Just like any animal, rats need water. They should have a constant supply of fresh water provided through a bottle and metal sipper tube. Check and refresh their water at least once a day, and remember to regularly clean the drinking tube and bottle. For multiple rats, it’s a good idea to have multiple water bottles so the rats have options of where to drink and don’t need to compete. 

Healthy rats will be sociable, playful, have good appetites, and boast sleek and smooth coats. To keep them healthy, you should aim to:  

• Ensure they always have clean water available in multiple places in the cage. 
• Give them plenty of stimulation. Occupied rats are happy rats! Make sure their home is fun and interesting with loads of chew toys, tubes, and places to explore and climb. 
• Make sure your rats get on with each other. Rats can become aggressive or ill if they’re stressed by their environment. Not all rats will get on with one another, and you may need to separate them if they really do not get along. 
• Keep them cool in the summer. Rats can only cool themselves through their tails and pads of their paws. Keep their cage in a cool, well-ventilated room in the hot summer. You can add frozen plastic bottles filled with water, chilled smooth cobbles, ceramic tiles, or marble tiles to their cage in the summer to keep them cool. 
• Check them for lumps and bumps, and any wounds from fights or accidents. 
• Avoid poisonous materials. This can include certain types of foods, plants, chemicals, room sprays, and medications.  
• Monitor their behaviour. Get to know your rats and their normal behaviours. Variation from the norm could be because of an underly mental or physical issue. 
• Only leave them with someone responsible if you go on holiday. 

Rats are generally quite healthy animals and can go their whole lives without suffering from many, if any, health issues. For rats that fall ill, these are the most common causes: 

• Tumours. You may notice that as they get older there are more lumps and bumps. If you notice irregular growths, take them to your vet for a check over and possible removal.  
• Breathing problems. Sneezing and wheezing in rats isn’t uncommon, especially as they get older. The mycoplasma organism is often found living in rats' respiratory system and if left unchecked can develop into a serious infection. 
• Obesity. As pets become overweight, there’s more pressure on their limbs and joints and their life expectancy decreases significantly. Rats put on weight easily, so keep fatty and sugary foods to a minimum. 
• Teeth issues, like overgrowth or snapping. Just like all rodents, rats’ front teeth never stop growing and should be gnawed down on a regular basis with chews or hard vegetables. If their teeth become too long, they’ll be uncomfortable, can snap close to the base of the tooth, and can make it more difficult to eat or drink. 

Parasites. Commonly accompanied by itching and redness, parasites like ticks, fleas, or mites can spread to rats from your other pets.  

Although uncommon, just like any other pet, rodents can still carry bacteria or viruses that can cause infection in humans. It doesn’t always have to be direct contact with your furry friend that causes illness. Infection can be spread by bites and scratches, , pet dander, or dust from old bedding, or contact with urine, droppings, bedding or saliva. 

If you’re bitten by a rat (or any pet), you should gently return the rat to a safe place and then clean and disinfect your bite wound. Following cleaning the wound, cover it in a waterproof dressing. If you find yourself feeling unwell after being bitten by any pet or animal, seek medical attention. Full detailed guidance is available at the Public Health England website. 

Rats are clever pets and love the mental stimulation of reward-based training. The one-to-one interaction with you is a fun way to strengthen your bond with your pet and spend time together. 

Rats don’t cope well with being moved to unfamiliar places in the house or new houses, even if their cage remains the same. It’s best to keep your rat at home when you go away and ask a friend, family member, or neighbour to look after them for you.