Points to Consider when Purchasing Your Pet Rat

Are you prepared to keep more than one rat? Rats are gregarious animals that enjoy each other’s company. A rat on her own can get very depressed and lonely, even with the attention of her owner. However, don’t let this put you off: two rats, although they may need more space, are just as easy to keep as one, and can provide twice as much fun. If you want a single pet, get a syrian hamster.

Do you have other family pets that might terrorise the rat? Cats and dogs can learn to live with small animals with no bother, but care must taken at all times and playtime out of the cage supervised.

Will you have money for the on-going costs, like food and bedding, and will it be purchased from a reliable source?

Do you have enough money initially to buy a large enough home for her? Rat cages can be expensive, you should expect to pay upwards of £60 for a new cage for two or three rats, such as a Savic Freddy, and then the initial food, bedding and cage accessories cost on top of that can take you well over £100.

Will you have the money and inclination to take a sick rat to the vets?

Who will care for your rat while you are away?

Would you like males or females? Male (buck) and female (doe) rats have much the same personality- they are intelligent, affectionate and friendly. However there are some differences. Bucks are bigger and will need more space, but are also much lazier. They are much slower and calmer than a doe, and would therefore be a better pet for a child. They will generally grow to be about 30cm long (excluding tail) and will eventually weigh between 450-700 grams. Does are quicker and more active and are also more slender and smaller, growing only to about 22cm long and weighing between 250-400 grams. Either sex makes a brilliant pet, and I have never found that one smells more or takes more care than the other.

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