Helpful Tips
We believe that bringing any animal into your home is a lifelong responsibility and joy. Here are some helpful tips to get you started... and beyond!
HOUSING:
The best housings have: ample ventilation (plenty of air flow), a solid bottom (wire bottoms can severely hurt rat feet), a place to hide, bedding (PXRR rats are raised in aspen bedding, but any non-dusty bedding would be fine), water bottle, food dish, and toys (optional).
Look for brands like Critter Nation or All Living Things (PetSmart).
FOOD:
PXRR rats enjoy Kruse rat block as well as fresh veggies and/or fruits. We purchase our food from a local feed store in bulk. I would also recommend Oxbow Rat Block or Mazuri lab block. You can also purchase food from me at $2 / lb or $10 for a 5lb bag (usually lasts 2-3 months for a pair of rats).
Here is a great comprehensive list written by Cassidy Ryann Murphy of Eunoia Rattery:
What Is/Isn't Okay For Your Rats to Eat!
WHY RATS?:
Pet rats are truly domesticated animals that have been selectively bred in captivity for hundreds of generations. They have been bred to be gentle and affectionate. Domestic rats are as different from wild rats as dogs are from wolves. They rarely bite and stay clean by grooming themselves like a cat several times a day.
Rats are extremely social and personable animals that bond strongly to their owners. They are smart enough to learn their names and will come when you call them. They beg to come out of their cage to play and interact with their owners.
Rats love to be petted. They enjoy being rubbed behind their ears or scratched on their shoulders. Some rats will roll over on their back so their owner can rub their tummy. Many rats will lick their owners to show affection just like a dog.
Rats do best when they have a caged buddy.
Rats are very playful and will wrestle with your hand the same way a kitten will. Rats will play games with their owners, including tug-o' war, hide-n-seek, and peek-a-boo. Rats can learn many tricks just like dogs. They can learn to sit up, fetch, walk a tightrope, pull up a basket on a string and jump through a hoop, or anything else you can imagine to train them.
Each rat is an individual with his or her own personality. Some rats are very intelligent (more intelligent than most dogs and cats!) but some rats aren't so smart. But even these bumbling blockhead rats are affectionate and make adorable loving pets.
Rats make great pets for both children and adults. Because they are nocturnal animals, they are happy to sleep during the day while their owner is at work or school. Then they are ready to come out to play in the morning or evening. They are especially good pets for apartment dwellers with limited space, and busy people, as long as you can spend at least 1/2 to 1 hour a day with your rats.
BUDDY RATS ARE BEST:
Rats are highly social animals and do best with a cagemate. A single rat can become insecure and nervous. Studies have also shown that single rats tend to have more health problems than rats in groups. We recommend that rats be kept in same-sex or altered pairs or groups. Rats that are properly socialized will still enjoy interacting with their owner; and because they have a cage buddy and are not insecure, they become better companions.
LINKS:
Here is a link to one of the most comprehensive FAQ's on the web by AFRMA (American Fancy Rat & Mouse Association)
http://www.afrma.org/rmindex.htm
HOUSING:
The best housings have: ample ventilation (plenty of air flow), a solid bottom (wire bottoms can severely hurt rat feet), a place to hide, bedding (PXRR rats are raised in aspen bedding, but any non-dusty bedding would be fine), water bottle, food dish, and toys (optional).
Look for brands like Critter Nation or All Living Things (PetSmart).
FOOD:
PXRR rats enjoy Kruse rat block as well as fresh veggies and/or fruits. We purchase our food from a local feed store in bulk. I would also recommend Oxbow Rat Block or Mazuri lab block. You can also purchase food from me at $2 / lb or $10 for a 5lb bag (usually lasts 2-3 months for a pair of rats).
Here is a great comprehensive list written by Cassidy Ryann Murphy of Eunoia Rattery:
What Is/Isn't Okay For Your Rats to Eat!
WHY RATS?:
Pet rats are truly domesticated animals that have been selectively bred in captivity for hundreds of generations. They have been bred to be gentle and affectionate. Domestic rats are as different from wild rats as dogs are from wolves. They rarely bite and stay clean by grooming themselves like a cat several times a day.
Rats are extremely social and personable animals that bond strongly to their owners. They are smart enough to learn their names and will come when you call them. They beg to come out of their cage to play and interact with their owners.
Rats love to be petted. They enjoy being rubbed behind their ears or scratched on their shoulders. Some rats will roll over on their back so their owner can rub their tummy. Many rats will lick their owners to show affection just like a dog.
Rats do best when they have a caged buddy.
Rats are very playful and will wrestle with your hand the same way a kitten will. Rats will play games with their owners, including tug-o' war, hide-n-seek, and peek-a-boo. Rats can learn many tricks just like dogs. They can learn to sit up, fetch, walk a tightrope, pull up a basket on a string and jump through a hoop, or anything else you can imagine to train them.
Each rat is an individual with his or her own personality. Some rats are very intelligent (more intelligent than most dogs and cats!) but some rats aren't so smart. But even these bumbling blockhead rats are affectionate and make adorable loving pets.
Rats make great pets for both children and adults. Because they are nocturnal animals, they are happy to sleep during the day while their owner is at work or school. Then they are ready to come out to play in the morning or evening. They are especially good pets for apartment dwellers with limited space, and busy people, as long as you can spend at least 1/2 to 1 hour a day with your rats.
BUDDY RATS ARE BEST:
Rats are highly social animals and do best with a cagemate. A single rat can become insecure and nervous. Studies have also shown that single rats tend to have more health problems than rats in groups. We recommend that rats be kept in same-sex or altered pairs or groups. Rats that are properly socialized will still enjoy interacting with their owner; and because they have a cage buddy and are not insecure, they become better companions.
LINKS:
Here is a link to one of the most comprehensive FAQ's on the web by AFRMA (American Fancy Rat & Mouse Association)
http://www.afrma.org/rmindex.htm