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Rats are very affectionate and easy to care for. They are the perfect pets for people who live in apartments and want a companion animal, but aren't able to care for a larger pet. For years, people have had a misconception of rats. Because of television and movies, people think that rats are these dirty vicious animals that attack people and pass diseases. With a wild sewer rat there is a possibility, but not with a domesticated rat. A tame rat will rarely bite, and will actually bond with their owners. They are also very clean.
Housing a rat is easy. You can either choose an aquarium with a screen top or a wire cage. A wire cage is the best because there is ventilation plus because rats are very social, they can have more contact with their owner. When choosing bedding for your rat, it's best to use recycled newspaper. Never use cedar it isn't good for rats because it contains toxins that can harm your rat. When putting the bedding in the cage, make sure you put enough for the rat to make a nice bed. You will also want to put a sturdy tip proof food bowl and a large water bottle.
When feeding your rat, it's best to purchase food that is specially formulated for rats. You can also add some fresh fruits and vegetables but not too many because some may be actually harmful to your rat. Things like grapes, strawberries, apples, carrots and small amounts of banana are good treats. Rats also enjoy peanuts and unsweetened whole grain cereals. Always make sure there is fresh water available at all times.
Rats need at least an hour of attention each day. Rats love to be held and cuddled. They look forward to spending time with their owner everyday. Rats like to ride up on their owners shoulder or around by the neck and under hair because it's warm and close. Most rats will want to stay there and cuddle up. To make sure your rat gets enough exercise you can encourage him to play little games. Some rats like to play with a little ball or will want to just chase around. You can train your rat to come to you on command. Always reward with a treat.
Rats are very curious and like to explore their surroundings. Rats are also natural chewers so to prevent them from chewing on electric cords, furniture and other things, try using some bitter apple, which is available at most pet stores. Apply it to any object that you don't want your rat to chew on. You will want to unplug all unnecessary lamps and appliances. You will always want to keep a close watch on your rat.
The average rat has a life span of around 2 ½ to 3 years.
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