Rats are extremely intelligent creatures, and it is often said that they have the intelligence level of a two and a half year old child. They are also very clean animals, contrary to popular belief. Rats groom themselves over seven times a day, from the tip of their nose, to the tip of their tail. They also frequently groom each other, but as more of a social gesture.
Rats are very social animals. Not only do they thrive on the companionship of their own kind, but they seek out and enjoy the company of their humans. In the wild, rats live in large groups called mischiefs. These groups function very much like a pack of wolves, with the same hierarchy or structure.
When obtaining a rat as a pet, it is very important that you have multiple rats of the same sex, or different sexes only if the rats have been neutered or spayed. Two or three are adequate for new rat owners, more for those with more experience. Never should a rat be housed on it�s own. Solitary rats often suffer with being more antisocial towards humans, and are often more sickly throughout their lives. Every avenue must be exhausted before deciding to keep a rat on its own.
The rats cage should not be left in a closet, or in a back bedroom where nobody ever goes. It is important that they be kept in the midst of where their humans spend most of their time. They want to be included in what is going on around the house.
Rats require about an hour a day of social time outside of the cage interacting with their humans. The time spent freeranging is also important because rats need a certain amount of exercise that they cannot get within the cage only. Male rats especially tend to get overweight if not given adequate exercise.
Rats are not inexpensive pets by any means. Yes, purchasing a rat is less expensive than a cat or a dog, but rats do require the necessities of life just the same. Their housing is normally not inexpensive, and their medical expenses can be very high.
Please do not purchase a rat, or any rodent for that matter, based on the price of the animal alone. All that the animal needs to be healthy, happy, and live a full life must be taken into account.
Before deciding on bringing a rat into your life, research has to be done. Although rats are not the most high maintenance pets available, they require specific care and considerations. Please find links to avenues of research at the end of this caresheet.
