What do I do with a pet rat?

Question

I don't know the first thing about rats. It's very friendly, I have some seeds for it to eat and fed it some cabbage. Can I put it in the bathtub and watch him swim? What should I do with him? What does he eat? How do I take care of him? It pissed on me today, any way I can prevent that from happening?

I don't think it's very cute. I decided to try to hold it again, this time I put him in a sweater. He peed on it, and crapped like ten times. I think I'm going to take him to the pet store. That is just ridiculous.

Answer 1

Ok. Rats eat rat food. It can be purchased at your local pet store like Petco, Petsmart, etc... The best food for them is Forti-Diet Rat/Mouse/Hamster food. Also, they will need a bottle of water in their cage, attatched to the side of the cage. Also, you will want them to have chew toys. I recommend edible logs. I forgot the brand, but you will see it and know what I mean. The cage should be fairly large, depending on the size of your rat. Oh, and DO NOT PUT YOUR RAT IN THE BATHTUB AND WATCH IT SWIM!!! Rats usually don't like water. If your rat DOES like water, It would be OK, just make sure the water is lukewarm- room temperature. Wrap it gently in a towel if you want when it gets out so it isn'y cold. You can just hang out with your rat. Let it run around in your bed, on the couch, etc. Play with it- love it. The rat peeing is natural-- there is little way to prevent this. All rats may pee when playing with you. Don't feed your rats seeds- they may choke. If you're wondering about rat snacks/treats, rats can eat anything except for a few things. Most fruits/ vegetables are OK. But, if your rat is male, DO NOT GIVE IT ORANGES! It is not good for your rats. If you want more info, email me at [e-mail]

Best answer me if you like the info**

Answer 2

Best food available for rats is ''Regal Rat'', actually. I haven't seen a Petco/PetSmart carry it, though. I have to go to a natural pet food store in order to purchase it.

Rats are relatively easy to care for. Provide safe bedding (no cedar! I use corn cob bedding and it works well). Provide healthy snacks (banana, apple, grapes....do NOT feed citrus fruits if you have a male, it's bad for the health).

Yes, you can allow your rat to swim, make sure the water isn't too cold or hot (lukewarm!) and that he's able to touch the ground at all times. They're good swimmers, but they can still drown, so don't leave them unattended in the water.

Make sure you handle him on a daily basis, and provide plenty of socialization for him (especially if he doesn't have another rat to share the cage with. They're very social and need attention).

When you refer to him urinating on you, it really depends. If it was just a few small spots, he's ''marking'', and this really cannot be avoided, it's something that comes with the territory when you own a male rat. It's harmless and easily cleaned up though.

Now, if he's peeing a lot and even defecating on you, that means he's nervous/scared, and you need to find ways to help him feel safe. (My male is comfortable ONLY if he has a hiding place, whether it's in my jacket, or in a plush igloo on the table).

Answer 3

Here's one website for rat care: http://ratfanclub.org/helpinfo.html It's an easy read.

You can put your rat in a cage or fish tank, no pine or cedar shavings as they can be toxic. You can put a little box or other small container for a bed in the cage.

You can buy rat pellets at a pet store. The author on this website has even devised a rat diet with fresh foods.

Rats do urine mark, esp males, that is alleviated with neutering.

Rats are great pets, very sociable and love people. Just remember they all like to chew, so keep on eye on yours esp around electrical cords.

Answer 4

Rats often enjoy riding on your shoulder. You can teach them their names pretty quickly & they can learn some tricks too. I wouldn't put one in the bathtub, when one of ours needs a bath (which isn't often) they get more of a gentle "shower" in the kitchen sink while I hold the dirty creature with one hand.
Usually they'll stop peeing on you so much after they get to know you, except for scent-marking, which is just tiny drops. For the most part, our rats wait ti they're back in their cage to go, unless they've been out too long to wait. Unlike mice & hamsters, rats don't usually poop on you either, unless they're nervous or scared.
Don't use cedar or pine bedding for your rat, these are really bad for small animals & I don't know why they even sell the stuff. Use aspen, Soft-Sorbent, Carefresh Ultra or another bedding. We mostly use Total Comfort & we also give our guys paper towels to play & nest in. Give your rat a cardboard box and/or a hammock to nap in. They also like some of the toys made for cats, birds or ferrets. Most of ours enjoy little plastic balls with bells in them.
There are rat foods you can get @ most pet stores, Reggie Rat is pretty good & we used to buy that til we decided on a homemade diet. You can give him a little whole-grain bread or cereal (unsweetened is best), an occasional dog biscuit (ours love the peanut butter flavor) & a nut in the shell every once in a while. Don't give him peanut butter, he could choke on it. I keep hearing that some rats enjoy uncooked pasta, but none of ours is interested although they sure like it cooked with a bit of marinara sauce ;-)

Answer 5

I disagree on the foods mentioned, I feed either Mazuri brand (available at PetsMart) or Harlan Teklad lab blocks (available on their website www.harlan.com) with either type of block supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. Do be careful with most foods though, keeping in mind that for the most part what we humans can eat a rat can eat, though moderation is always key. Rats are also very social animals and require companions, please consider getting him a friend OF THE SAME SEX (to avoid unwanted litters).

Please visit the following sites for a lot more in depth information, I hope you grow to love your new friend!

http://www.ratsrule.com/
http://www.ratfanclub.org/
http://www.dapper.com.au/

Answer 6

http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm
try that site is has loads of ideas for games and toys for your rat it's fantastic.
You can get a special rat mix food from your pet store it's basically like rabbit food but i don't advise giving him rabbit food. Don't give him much cabbage it will give him an upset tummy!Just handle him a lot and he'll stop peeing on you once he is totally used to you.I don't know about the bathtub think!you could buy them like a big hamster wheel or ball but mine don't like there ball and you have to be careful about a wheel as they can rip their tail off!
good luck

Answer 7

Go to Ausrfs - Australia Rodent Fanciers society.

please just dont feed it to a snake and they are indoor pets , use your commen sense. This rat is now your responsibility and you are now its parent , it will feel like that soon.

Answer 8

put it outside in the snow

Answer 9

feed it lovingly to a pet snake

Answer 10

feed him to a snake