Pet rat: lifespan, size, diet and care

How big it is

An adult is up to 28 cm (11 in) long, head and body.

Zoomed ×4: here you see the man up to 47.5 cm (19 in) off the ground

1Guinea piglong 25.4 cm (10 in)2Lovebirdslong 15 cm (6 in)3Pet ratlong (head and body) 45 cm (18 in)4Goldfishlong 25 cm (10 in)5Budgieslong 20 cm (8 in)

1. Guinea piglong 25.4 cm (10 in)
2. Lovebirdslong 15 cm (6 in)
3. Pet ratlong (head and body) 45 cm (18 in)
4. Goldfishlong 25 cm (10 in)
5. Budgieslong 20 cm (8 in)

All the pets next to a person

Before it arrives

• At least two rats of the same sex, ideally siblings: never alone
• A big multi-level cage (ferret or chinchilla cages work), with a solid floor, not wire mesh
• Hammocks, ropes, ladders, tunnels and hides at different heights
• Dust-free bedding; never cedar or pine shavings, newspaper or cotton wool
• Rat nuggets and a kitchen scale to weigh them
• Ceramic bowls (not metal) and several water bottles, so they can all drink at once
• A spot at 19–23 °C (66–73 °F), with no drafts, away from bathrooms, TVs and computers (they make ultrasound)

Its home: temperature and light

The room

18–26 °C (64–79 °F)

What it eats and how often

rat pellets plus a little fruit and vegetables every day

• Adults: every day, 2 meals a day

Rat nuggets weighed out every day, following the amount on the bag, split between morning and evening. Only a little fruit and vegetables, as part of the day's allowance, not on top of it. If food is left over or the rat is getting fat, give a bit less.

Vaccines and checkups

The care calendar

What to do, from the most frequent to the least.

• every dayFresh food and waterWeighed rat nuggets and a little fresh veg, morning and evening. Remove leftovers and check the water bottles.
• every weekTeeth and body checkFront teeth, eyes and nose; feel its body for new lumps. Every day, watch them morning and evening.
• every weekWeigh-inUse a gram scale and note the weight, when you clean the cage.
• every weekDeep clean the cageSpot-clean every day. Put back a little of the old nesting material if it's clean.
• every yearYearly check-up at the vetWith a rat-savvy vet.

Call the vet right away if…

If you see one of these signs, call your vet now: don’t wait for it to pass.

• Sneezes often, snuffles, or breathes noisily or with effort
• Red-brown staining or crusts around the eyes or nose, especially if heavy or recurring
• A new lump, especially on the belly or chest
• Head tilt, circling or loss of balance
• Loses weight, sits hunched with a scruffy coat, or its front teeth look too long

Ate something dangerous? What to do now