How to Care for a Fancy Rat as a Pet

Intelligent and sociable, rats as pets can be great companion animals, even for kids.

The domestic rat (also known as the “fancy rat”) is a descendant of the wild brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) and has been bred as a pet for about a hundred years. Fancy rats are less fearful than their wild cousins, and when handled gently, they quickly learn to enjoy riding on their human friends’ shoulders and napping in their laps.

Learn how to keep your furry friends happy and healthy. Read our rat care guide to better understand rat personalities, ideal diet and care needs. 

Rat Care

General rat care consists of removing droppings, uneaten food and soiled bedding areas from your pets’ cage daily. Clean the cage once a week by replacing dirty bedding and scrubbing down the rest with warm, soapy water.

Another crucial point to consider in how to take care of a rat is that baby rats can be removed from their litter at about six weeks of age. They can reproduce at this time, so it is recommended that males and females be kept separately.

Like that of a mouse and all rodents, a rat’s front teeth grow continuously. Provide unpainted, untreated pieces of wood, dog biscuits, safe cardboard or rawhide chew toys for your rats to gnaw on. These are crucial for keeping your rat’s teeth in tip-top condition and preventing dental problems. 

Rats can be great pets for kids, but adults should always supervise young caretakers. These animals are not toys and should be treated gently.

Understanding Rat Temperament & Behavior

Rats are very sociable with members of their own kind and should be kept in pairs or more of the same gender. A pair of females is recommended for first-time rat caretakers. Males will generally do well together only if introduced when they are young. Females, on the other hand, are more accepting of new friends when introduced later in life.

As mentioned above, an important consideration in rat behavior is not to house males and females together, as they will breed—and breed. The average rat litter is 12 young and can be as high as 20. Care must be taken to separate males and females when they are six weeks of age to avoid unwanted litters. 

Know Proper Fancy Rat Handling

General rat temperament, behavior and social nature are led by their affectionate personalities, playfulness and curiosity. Rats may be friendly and curious by nature, but you’ll need to get your pets used to you—and used to being handled. You’ll need to know proper handling for your pet rat. Here’s how you can properly handle pet rats: 

1. Start by feeding them small treats. 
2. When they’re comfortable with that, you can pick them up, one hand supporting the bottom, the other over the back.  
3. When you get to know each other better, don’t be surprised if your little guys want to snuggle and be petted. At this point, your rat is hand-tamed. 
4. Once your rats are hand-tamed, you should let them play outside of the cage in a safe, secure area for an hour or so every day. 
5. This out-of-cage playtime will keep your smart, active friends mentally stimulated and physically fit—just be sure to always supervise. 

Creating an Ideal Rat Habitat

An essential part of proper pet rat care includes creating the perfect rat housing and habitat, including cage considerations such as a spacious cage, recommended sizing, bedding, nesting and enrichment toys. 

Rats do best in wire cages because they enjoy climbing, and there is good ventilation. A cage that is 2’ x 2’ x 2’ will generally do for a pair of rats—if you plan to keep more than that, you’ll need a larger cage. Your wire cage should have a solid plastic or metal floor, and bedding of aspen or pelleted recycled paper should be provided. Do not use pine or cedar shavings, which can be harmful to your rats.

A large, multi-level cage designed for ferrets can also make a great rat home, as can a large aquarium. If you opt for the latter, it will require a screen cover to provide ventilation and will probably need to be cleaned more often than a wire cage to keep odor problems under control.

Whatever type of cage you choose, don’t forget the furniture! Provide small boxes or flowerpots to hide in, and PVC tubes for your rats to run through. You can also add a tree branch for them to climb on. Some rats enjoy running on an exercise wheel, so you may want to get one. Make sure that the wheel has a solid surface without wire rungs so their tails cannot get caught while running.

Rats love to play with toys, and a bored rat is an unhappy rat. You can offer yours many of the same toys that parrots enjoy, including swings and ropes for climbing. 

What Does a Rat Eat?

You’ll need to know the proper rat diet, including what rats eat, safe and unsafe foods, portion control, rat feeding frequency and hydration needs. 

Your pets will do well on rat blocks (sometimes called lab blocks), a high-quality pellet chow formulated for rodents. Look for a brand that lists soymeal as its main ingredient. This food should always be available.

You can supplement your rats’ diet with fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Peas, broccoli, carrots, apples, and bananas are good foods to start with, but it’s fun to try new things and discover your pets’ favorites. Rats love human food, and you can give yours the occasional table scrap, such as cooked pasta or a bit of pizza crust. Treats need to be limited to prevent obesity.

A safe menu of foods for rats may include:

• Recommended serving of pelleted or block-type food for rats: A typical serving is 5–10 grams of pellets per 100 grams of body weight, adjusting based on your veterinarian’s advice, especially for underweight or overweight rats. These diets are usually the primary food source. Rats tend to graze throughout the day, so you’ll want to offer your rat a day’s worth of pellets, discarding uneaten food after 24 hours.   
• Varying amounts of supplemental fresh foods: Supplement fresh foods to a rat’s diet alongside rat blocks for better health and to prevent boredom. While packaged mixes are available, rats often select their favorite pieces, which can lead to an unbalanced diet. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations on the best foods and serving sizes for your rat. Supplemental fresh foods may include small amounts of: 
  • Peas 
  • Carrots 
  • Apples 
  • Bananas 
  • Pears 
  • Citrus 
  • Broccoli 
  • Endive 
  • Bok choy 
  • Celery 
  • Berries 
  • Lean meat such as low-fat cooked chicken 
• Treats, very sparingly: Treats can be fed only for special occasions, as these can cause obesity and do not provide the balanced nutritional value they need. These may include: 
  • Seeds 
  • Nuts

Rats need to avoid the following in their diet because it is toxic to them and can cause illness and even death:

• Chocolate  
• Caffeinated beverages 

You should also avoid feeding your rat sticky foods such as taffy or peanut butter as some rats can easily choke on foods with these types of textures.

Fresh, clean water should always be available. A glass water bottle with a drinking tube that attaches to the side of the cage is the best way to go, as it’s easiest to keep sanitary. You’ll also want to offer them a water bowl until you’re sure that your pet rats are drinking from their bottle. To check that your rat is hydrated, you can pinch and pull your pet rat’s skin away from its body and then let go. If their skin stays raised for more than a second, your pet rat is dehydrated. Then, you’ll want to ensure your rat is getting enough water, and it would also be a good idea to reach out to your veterinarian. 

Always confirm with your veterinarian that you are providing your pet rat with the proper amount of food and water.  

Rat Health

To ensure your pet rat lives a long and healthy life, it’s important to understand common health issues, preventative care, and basic first aid. This section outlines essential information for keeping your rat in top condition. 

Here are some key points to remember: 

• Veterinary Care: Schedule annual checkups with a veterinarian experienced in treating rats. Many vets recommend exams every 6-12 months, including blood tests and fecal checks for parasites. It's crucial to find a rat-savvy vet before bringing your pet home. Contact your vet immediately if you notice any unusual behavior in your rat. 
• Nutrition: Provide a healthy diet and ensure constant access to fresh, clean water. 
• Weight Management: Weigh your rat weekly, as they are prone to obesity. Consult your vet to determine a healthy weight range for your individual rat. 
• Environmental Control: Keep your rat’s cage away from drafts to minimize the risk of respiratory illnesses and other infections. Avoid intense, direct sunlight, as rats are susceptible to cancer and tumor development. 
• Bedding: Never use cedar or pine wood shavings for bedding, as the oils can be toxic to rats. 
• Hygiene: Scoop out soiled litter daily and add fresh litter as needed. Clean the entire cage weekly with warm, soapy water. 
• Dental Health: Provide ample chew toys to prevent overgrown teeth, which can hinder eating. Replace chew toys regularly. Your veterinarian can help identify and correct any dental issues. 

While rats are generally hardy, they are prone to certain health problems, including respiratory diseases, cancer, lice, intestinal worms, and other parasites. Older rats are particularly susceptible to kidney and bladder stones, as well as kidney disease. 

Be vigilant for the following signs that your rat may need medical attention: 

• Diarrhea 
• Difficulty breathing 
• Dull eyes 
• Lethargy 
• Lumps 
• Open wounds 
• Sneezing 

If you suspect your rat is ill, seek veterinary care immediately. Prompt treatment is crucial for a positive outcome.

How Long Do Rats Live

Rats are full grown at six months of age. A domestic rat’s life expectancy is typically two to three years if well cared for. Keeping them healthy and happy with an ideal rat habitat, proper food and proper hydration is essential.

Purchasing or Adopting a Fancy Rat

Are you looking to purchase or adopt a small furry friend like a fancy rat? Now that you know what you need to know before getting a rat, here’s a quick cheat sheet of factors to consider when purchasing or adopting a fancy rat. 

1. Rats are social, so you should consider getting at least two of the same gender.  
2. Pet rats are clean! They clean themselves constantly. 
3. Are rats nocturnal? Yes, and that includes fancy rats. Be aware that they move around throughout the night, which may cause minor noise.  
4. Rats like to exercise at least one hour a day. 
5. Their time with you will be short but sweet—they typically live up to three years. 
6. If you choose a female rat, know that they typically become agitated when in heat, which is every five days. 
7. If you’re wondering how big rats can get, know that male rats are larger and courser, with adult male rats typically weighing 0.88 to 1.54 pounds. Adult females (known as does) generally are 0.44 to 1.10 pounds. 
8. The most common fancy rats tend to be “Norway Rats,” which are otherwise known as “sewer rats” or “common rats.” 
9. Getting your rat from a rat expert or breeder may help ensure you have a socialized and healthy rat. They could also help you find the pet rat for you, such as finding a specific coat appearance. 
10. How much does a rat cost? It may typically be around $20 but can also vary widely. 
11. Many animal rescue groups and animal shelters offer pet rats for adoption. 
12. You’ll want to seek an exotic animal veterinarian to make sure you have all the best rat care needs.

For more expert tips about your new pet’s health, explore our other pet care articles.