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When some people think of rats, they think of a dirty, disease carrying, undesirable rodent. This could not be farther from the truth. Domesticated rats are clean, disease-free, and very intelligent. Rats make wonderful pets for children or adults. They are easy to care for and will give lots of pleasure in return.
According to the website "Our Rats - Rats as Pets", written by Tanja Saily, rats have been kept as pets as far back as the 1800's in England. She says that rats were not the cause of the Black Plague in the middle ages, It was cause by fleas on the rats and people living in unsanitary conditions.
Rats can live approximately two to three years, and they are about sixteen to twenty inches long including the tail, according to "Mice and Rats: The General Care of Pet Rats and Mice", published by Petswarehouse.com, Inc. It says an adult male rat can weigh up to two pounds but typically weighs less.
"Mice and Rats: The General Care of Pet Rats and Mice" recommends the following housing for a pet rat. Rats like to chew, so the cage should be designed to resist chewing and gnawing. Aquariums make great cages for rats since they are very easy to clean and disinfect. They are also relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes. An aquarium for two rats should be at least fifteen gallons.
The same article recommends the use of hardwood shavings, shredded paper, or pelleted paper as bedding. It warns that cedar and pine bedding often sold for small animals is toxic, and it can cause lung disease and damage to the internal organs. It is important for odor control and for the health of your pet to clean the cage once each week. Remove the old bedding, clean the cage with hot, soapy water, and add about two to three inches of new bedding material.
"Mice and Rats: The General Care of Pet Rats and Mice" suggests the use of a water bottle with a drinking tube. These are more practical than open dishes where the water can become easily soiled. Provide the rat with fresh water by cleaning the water bottle each day using a bottle brush and hot, soapy water. Food dishes should be heavy to resist tipping. They should also be cleaned regularly.
Food formulated especially for rats should be available for your pet all of the time, says "Mice and Rats: The General Care of Pet Rats and Mice". It goes on to say that small quantities of banana, avocado, fresh greens, and other fruits and vegetables should supplement the diet on a daily basis. Also, healthy cereal, dry oats, popcorn, and even pasta can be offered as a treat once and awhile.
Rats like entertainment as much as any pet. Toys such as big cardboard wrapping paper tubes, large exercise wheels, cardboard boxes, and toy ladders are suggested by the same article. Large, ventilated, clear plastic balls are available that the rat can use to run in. This will allow the rat to travel where it wants without the risk of escape or the furniture being gnawed. They are a lot of fun to watch, and these clear plastic balls will provide plenty of exercise for the rat.
Next time you hear the phrase "Oh rats", just remember that rats have been unfairly labeled throughout the years. They are really kind and gentle pets that have a lot to offer.
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