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HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET RATS

HEALTHY AND HAPPY

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Keeping of rats as pets is not a new practice. Actually, this practice started as early as

20th century. Having a pet rat can be fun and worthwhile as they are naturally curious

about many things, affectionate, intelligent, and always up for some fun. Rat care and

maintenance costs aren’t usually high. In most instances, you will spend less than $400

per year for a cage, pet toys and treats, litter and bedding material and food. Though

relatively inexpensive to own, they require a substantial amount of dedication.

Housing your pet rats

Rats do well in wire cages because they take pleasure in climbing. Wire cages also

offer great ventilation. The floor should be solid, and a bedding made of aspen or

pelleted recycled paper should be supplied. Some rats want to make nests, so when

you notice this habit in your pets, put shredded table napkins into the cage. A bored rat

is an unhappy one, so provide objects where they can run or play around. Rats would

like a silent area to which they can escape, so provide tiny boxes or pots where they

can hide. Rats don’t do so well in cold temperatures and also direct sunlight. A place

kept at 60 to 80 degrees

Fahrenheit is suitable. Take into

account that rats are very social

to members of their own kind, and

for that reason should be kept in

pairs. It is often advisable to have

same-sex pairs. By doing this,

you don’t get many rat pups. For

more information on how to take

care of pet rats after surgery care

for pet rats.

What to feed your pet rats

Pet rats must be provided with a fresh, healthy diet that will meet all their nutritional

requirements. This is most conveniently done by providing them with pelleted diet made

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particularly for rodents. You can also supplement their diet by providing them small

quantities of fresh produce, cooked eggs, grains or seeds. They have to be given

constant access to fresh, clean drinking water, too. Water has to be supplied by means

of drinkers as opposed to bowls to avert contamination. Pet rats tend to be fed twice a

day. They should never be provided chocolate, candy, onions, sticky food, junk food,

and carbonated and caffeinated drinks. To know more about housing, feeding and

caring tips for those interested in pet rats, please visit how to hold your pet rat.

Other care tips for pet rats

Excrement, uneaten food items and dirty sections of bedding should be removed every

single day. The cage has to be cleaned once a week with warm soapy water. To avoid

dental problems, offer unpainted, untreated pieces of wood for your rats to chew on. If

they are tame enough, pet rats have to be allowed to play outside their cages since this

will offer them with stimulation to make sure they're mentally and physically fit.