About to get a pet rat? What's the best advice for new owners?

Hello. Pet rats do not require vaccinations, and there is a wealth of information available on the safe & healthy way to maintain your new pets. The best place to start is the place you plan on purchasing the rats. If this is a bigger store, like a Petco, they will have handouts & books & manuals to purchase. You can call some of the veterinarians in your area to ask if they see rats, as a good exam is important. I will caution you to make sure the rats you decide to buy seem to be healthy. Do not bring home any animals that seem unwell, unkempt, sneezing or have any discolorations around the eyes or nose, a clear sign of an upper respiratory infection. The cages should be clean, the animals active & filled out. Rats do not require a lot, but they are very intelligent creatures & a lot of fun. Good luck & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Rat Terriers in general have a very long life span - 15-18 years when in good health. They are very smart and active little dogs. Given their high energy level they love to be exercised daily and most people keep them on leash only as they tend to bolt and run away at the sight of anything they can chase. They are one of the many small breeds that get dental disease early on in life so daily teeth brushing would be of benefit. They also are prone to heart disease as they get older, so at least annual veterinary exams is recommended. They are loyal, loving, and protective of their territory. I hope this helps!

Hi there, Those babies are very cute. In the future, I would recommend breeding your female rats at 4-5 months of age when they are a bit older and have matured more to better carry the pregnancy. Good planning can also prevent accidental incestuous breeding. Rodents are prolific breeders and everyone makes mistakes. I wouldn't feel too badly, just learn from it and move forward. Here is a link for more information on rodent breeding: https://www.petcoach.co/article/rat-reproduction-mating-gestation-birthing-and-growth/#:~:text=The%20Rat%20Mating%20Process,the%20female%20is%20in%20heat. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach. Have a good afternoon.

This should be fine. Rats tend to be very inquisitive and adjustable, so it may be an enjoyable experience for her. It will, at least, be good enrichment for her. It should be relatively easy to see if she is distressed at all. If she is wandering around, eating or drinking, then you know she is content. If her behavior seems off (like she just hides the whole time), then you'll know it's uncomfortable for her. Good luck and enjoy little Roux - they make great pets.

Hello! I would recommend having all male pet rats neutered. The surgery for neutering male rats is easier and less invasive than in female rats. Intact male rats will likely fight with other male rats and mate with any females (which leads to a LOT of babies) and neither behavior is ideal for companion pets! I would suggest having Ted neutered then introducing him to a friend a couple of weeks after he has recovered from the procedure. I often urge people to try fostering when they are adding pets. This allows you to introduce the two animals and ensure they get along well before you commit to adoption. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Comgratulations on your new pet! Nothing can substitute for a careful examination by your vet, however, if the little guy looks healthy, is eating and going to the toilet well, and is nice and active, then it sounds like he is in great health. There will be variation in all animals so I imagine he is just a lot more vocal. Keep a close eye on him and you can always get him examined to be sure.

Keep them warm and as stress free as possible. Stress can complicate any illness in rats. Use a dust free substrate. Some sneezing is normal and you may see a red tinge (porphyrin staining) which is also normal in small amounts. A URI will likely require antibiotics. Do not give any other medications to your rats without the advice of your veterinarian. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or increased discharge from the eyes nose or mouth. If you see any of these symptoms, have them examined at the nearest veterinary ER. As long as they are behaving and eating normally, you can likely wait until Monday.