I get a lot of ratty questions, which I don't mind answering! But I thought I should add a page of frequently asked questions to help new rat owners!
Here's a terrific site that explains a lot about owning a rat: http://tessastarrsrats.weebly.com/
Why should I have 2 or more rats? Rats are very social animals, though they will get attention from you, you are not a rat. They like to be social with their own kind as well as humans. Also, having more than one will help them to adjust to a new home, and it has been proven that it helps them to bond better with their new owner(s)
How much room do they need? If you are thinking of getting pet rats you should find out how much room they will need. Rats are not able to be housed in small cages like hamster or gerbils, they need more room. There is a useful tool to help you pick the right cage: http://www.rattycorner.com/odds/calc.shtml
Why can't they eat birdseed like hamsters? Rats are a different species than other small animals and have different nutritional needs. Rats needs are closer to dogs than to hamsters. They need some protein, some carbohydrates and lots of fruits and vegetables to be healthy. So, please research food choices for rats. I make my own food and would be glad to share my recipe with you!
Why can't I use pine or cedar for bedding? I realize they sell this in the pet stores but there are many health risks for these beddings. Pine can cause permanent long term respiratory illness, and cedar gives off fumes that are toxic. Cedar shouldn't be used at all, cedar is toxic to hamsters as well, I was informed by a vet that it is the number one cause of wettail, which can kill a hamster. I use Aspen, because it gives off no fumes, you can also use carefresh or yesterdays news.
Why are aquariums bad for rats? Aquariums might be ok for very little rats, since they can wiggle through bars (personally I like small birdcages for my babies, they have open air and love to climb) But aquariums are mostly closed, air can't pass through them and the ammonia levels will build up from the rats urine. Ammonia fumes are toxic and can make your rat very sick. If you have to keep your babies in one until they are big enough for another cage, make sure and clean it daily and give your babies lots of time out of the cage. I do recommend a birdcage though, the small ones bars are very close together, and you can usually find birdcages cheap at garage sales.
How long do rats live? A rats lifespan is between 2-3 years, though I find females to live around 2 - 2 1/2 years and males to live around 3 - 3 1/2 years.
If anyone has questions that you think I should address on here, please feel free to email me with your suggestions! lifedreamsrattery@yahoo.com
