Your E-mail:
To see critter Valentine ecards, click here>>
Will you be sending a critter Valentine ecard to anyone you know?


Printer Friendly Bookmark and Share

New Rat Checklist

A checklist of things to buy before you bring a new rat home.

By Audrey Pavia

1. Wire cage with bar spacing no larger than ½ inch apart, or large aquarium with screen cover.

2. Aspen or pelleted recycled paper bedding

3. Small boxes or flower pots

4. Tree branch for climbing (hardwood such as oak or aspen, or dried apple or cherry branches)

5. A solid-floored exercise wheel

6. Tubes for tunneling

7. Rodent chow in block or pellet form; fresh vegetables; grain or hamster seed mix

8. Attachable water bottle

9. Unpainted/untreated piece of wood/dog biscuits/safe chew toys for dental health

10. Safe and rodent-appropriate toys, including swings, ropes or toys made for parrots


 Give us your opinion on
New Rat Checklist

Submit a Comment   Join Club
Earn 1,000 points! What's this?
Reader Comments
Tanks aren't suitable for rats! They produce too much urine to be in a tank. Tanks should only be used for small rodents like hamsters, gerbils, and mice. Never for the larger ones like rats and guinea pigs. And they should definitely not be fed hamster food. Hamsters and rats have completely different nutritional needs! Rats are omnivores and hamsters are opportunistic herbivores (meaning they will eat meat, but their main diet is seeds and plant material), that alone hints that their diets are COMPLETELY different. Also, I've heard that rats don't tend to like wheels. Something about them being too intelligent for it.
Bree, Fayetteville, NC
Posted: 12/16/2011 2:25:34 AM
First off, this 'check list' is ridiculous and seems to be written by someone who honestly does NOT own rats. Agreeing with a below poster, aquariums are NOT suitable long term cages for rats as they do not allow enough air circulation, leading to ammonia build up and respiratory problems, which rats are highly susceptible to.

Rats are not supposed to be fed grain or seed mixes, let alone hamster mixes! Rats should be fed a high quality lab block or a balanced diet such as Suebee's.

Only female rats will make constant use out of a wheel and that's also dependent on personality and energy.

Ugh..I can't list everything here. If you want REAL help and knowledge, go to www.goosemoose.com where they have an active forum dedicated to ratties.
Alexandria, Lenoir, NC
Posted: 9/26/2011 12:15:37 PM
Do boy rats need as much space as girls? I heard they are not as active.
Lisa, Rochester, NY
Posted: 5/31/2011 1:38:16 PM
Bird cages can work just as easily as 'Rat' cages. you just need to pay attention to see if they figure out the doors. mine have not and they have been using a bird cage for a year now.
'Shell, portland, OR
Posted: 2/22/2011 7:08:19 PM
View Current Comments

Rabbits USA
Rabbits USA
Ferrets USA
Ferrets USA
Critters USA
Critters USA
Featured Products
Fancy rats make wonderful pets, a fact that surprises many people. Buy Now $9.99
 
 


Hi my name's Willy

Visit the Photo Gallery to
cast your vote!