A basic guide about keeping fancy rats as pets . . .
There are so many sources of information on how to keep rats (many of these conflicting views) I am only going to provide the briefest of information on these pages, however more in depth information will be provided to you along with ongoing support before leaving my home.
By doing this I believe I can offer the advice that you want and need to keep your rats happy and healthy and not burden you with confused information from different sources. If you do have any questions about rat care then please do get in touch and I will try to help however I can.
Darkstar rats are first and foremost our pets. I have bred champions and been keeping rats for 24 years!
I breed show quality rats and like to work with varieties that are older and need to be kept ticking over like the stunning Cinnamon Pearls and also the odd pink eyed litter.
I usually only keep about 15 rats at a time.
Darkstar rats or ones coming to live with me usually stay here for life.
Sometimes the odd older girl will go as a pet or with a baby of hers. This is rare and usually a special request.
My does share my living room with me so really are family pets! The kittens are raised that way as well often with the help of my son who also keeps rats.
Seeing as some do go on to be family pets I treat each kitten as if it will be a family pet.
Here are some very basic tips to help you get started:
1 Minimum cage size is 2ft x 1.5ft for a pair of rats. You will also need a small cage for when they are little or are being transported. A single storey Hamster cage for a few days while they settle in invaluable, putting small babies in a huge cage to start with can spook them. However they will need a large cage as well to go in when the settling in period is up and this should be purchased before you obtain the kittens. Savic Freddy and Ferplast Jenny make nice cages or cheaper large versions are fine. However please make sure the bar spacing is close together for young kittens as they can squeeze through tiny spaces and escape.
A small hamster cage to take rats home in and for cleaning out times and transition period.
2 No wheels or wire bases on cages as rats feet are small and can easily become trapped resulting in injured feet and tails. Some rats tail carriage can be effected by the use of wheels. Wire shelves need covering with lino or similar.
3 Provide as big a cage as you can and furnish with items such as flowerpots, tubes and boxes to add fun however do remember that the most fun a rat can have is with his own kind and their owner. A lone rat even with human company all day is not really a good idea.
4 Do not overfeed rats over 5 months. A fat rat is not a happy rat and obesity in rats can lead to heart problems and tumours and this will also contribute to a decrease in their lifespan.
5 Find a rat friendly vet.
6 I will offer more indepth advice on diets but fresh water must always be available and a gravity fed bottle is the easiest way of ensuring that clean water is always on tap.
7 I will personally go through rat care with you.
8 Steer clear of commercial rat foods if possible. You can't beat a diet of good quality rabbit mix i.e. Alpha Herbal mixed with the occasional goodies.
By doing this I believe I can offer the advice that you want and need to keep your rats happy and healthy and not burden you with confused information from different sources. If you do have any questions about rat care then please do get in touch and I will try to help however I can.
Darkstar rats are first and foremost our pets. I have bred champions and been keeping rats for 24 years!
I breed show quality rats and like to work with varieties that are older and need to be kept ticking over like the stunning Cinnamon Pearls and also the odd pink eyed litter.
I usually only keep about 15 rats at a time.
Darkstar rats or ones coming to live with me usually stay here for life.
Sometimes the odd older girl will go as a pet or with a baby of hers. This is rare and usually a special request.
My does share my living room with me so really are family pets! The kittens are raised that way as well often with the help of my son who also keeps rats.
Seeing as some do go on to be family pets I treat each kitten as if it will be a family pet.
Here are some very basic tips to help you get started:
1 Minimum cage size is 2ft x 1.5ft for a pair of rats. You will also need a small cage for when they are little or are being transported. A single storey Hamster cage for a few days while they settle in invaluable, putting small babies in a huge cage to start with can spook them. However they will need a large cage as well to go in when the settling in period is up and this should be purchased before you obtain the kittens. Savic Freddy and Ferplast Jenny make nice cages or cheaper large versions are fine. However please make sure the bar spacing is close together for young kittens as they can squeeze through tiny spaces and escape.
A small hamster cage to take rats home in and for cleaning out times and transition period.
2 No wheels or wire bases on cages as rats feet are small and can easily become trapped resulting in injured feet and tails. Some rats tail carriage can be effected by the use of wheels. Wire shelves need covering with lino or similar.
3 Provide as big a cage as you can and furnish with items such as flowerpots, tubes and boxes to add fun however do remember that the most fun a rat can have is with his own kind and their owner. A lone rat even with human company all day is not really a good idea.
4 Do not overfeed rats over 5 months. A fat rat is not a happy rat and obesity in rats can lead to heart problems and tumours and this will also contribute to a decrease in their lifespan.
5 Find a rat friendly vet.
6 I will offer more indepth advice on diets but fresh water must always be available and a gravity fed bottle is the easiest way of ensuring that clean water is always on tap.
7 I will personally go through rat care with you.
8 Steer clear of commercial rat foods if possible. You can't beat a diet of good quality rabbit mix i.e. Alpha Herbal mixed with the occasional goodies.
