1. You may notice your young rats chasing and jumping on each other, and pinning one another to the ground. This is a game and the object is to get the others nape of the neck. If they can contact the nape, they gently nuzzle it. This is play fighting, and it starts at around 18 to 20 days of age. As they get older, around 30 days old, the play fighting intensifies and then dies down as they reach adulthood.
2. Rats have a very strong wall between the esophagus and stomach. It’s physically impossible for a rat to forcefully expel food from his/her tummy.
3. Rats are social and do much better with other rats around. I recommend you have at least two rats so they can keep each other company. Same sex pairs or groups are best. Male rats are generally more laid back with a go with the flow personality while females are usually more active and spunky. However it does all depend on the rat itself as they all have different personalities.
4. Cedar and pine shavings contain phenols which are toxic to rats. The caustic compounds in phenols can cause respiratory problems and kidney and liver damage. Also avoid using clay-based or clumping kitty litter. Shavings from hard woods, like aspen, are preferable for your rat’s habitat. You can also use shavings made from paper.
5. Rats grind their teeth when they are feeling content. Interestingly, they also do it when they’re feeling stressed. The grinding keeps their tiny choppers at the proper length. Make sure you have some chew toys and blocks in the habitat to help keep constantly growing teeth at a decent length.
6. Rats have highly tuned senses and can become overwhelmed by the electromagnetic fields generated by electronic devices. Until a new rat is well acclimated to your home and shows no signs of agitation or irritation when exposed to electronic devices, you should try to keep the habitat in an area of the house with a minimum of electronic activity.
7. Your rat probably likes having the top of its head stroked and gently scratched. They also appreciate it if you pet them along their back, from neck to about the middle – the area closest to the tail can be sensitive. Rats usually enjoy having their ears rubbed.
8. Rubbing a rat’s belly like you would a dog’s isn’t recommended until the rat trusts you and is very comfortable with you. And if you stroke your rat’s face, make sure to rub in the direction the whiskers grow (stroke back toward the ears) – pulling them forward is generally uncomfortable for the rat
9. Rats are super clean! Even cleaner than a cat!
10. Rats are pretty great swimmers, and most of them really enjoy it!
2. Rats have a very strong wall between the esophagus and stomach. It’s physically impossible for a rat to forcefully expel food from his/her tummy.
3. Rats are social and do much better with other rats around. I recommend you have at least two rats so they can keep each other company. Same sex pairs or groups are best. Male rats are generally more laid back with a go with the flow personality while females are usually more active and spunky. However it does all depend on the rat itself as they all have different personalities.
4. Cedar and pine shavings contain phenols which are toxic to rats. The caustic compounds in phenols can cause respiratory problems and kidney and liver damage. Also avoid using clay-based or clumping kitty litter. Shavings from hard woods, like aspen, are preferable for your rat’s habitat. You can also use shavings made from paper.
5. Rats grind their teeth when they are feeling content. Interestingly, they also do it when they’re feeling stressed. The grinding keeps their tiny choppers at the proper length. Make sure you have some chew toys and blocks in the habitat to help keep constantly growing teeth at a decent length.
6. Rats have highly tuned senses and can become overwhelmed by the electromagnetic fields generated by electronic devices. Until a new rat is well acclimated to your home and shows no signs of agitation or irritation when exposed to electronic devices, you should try to keep the habitat in an area of the house with a minimum of electronic activity.
7. Your rat probably likes having the top of its head stroked and gently scratched. They also appreciate it if you pet them along their back, from neck to about the middle – the area closest to the tail can be sensitive. Rats usually enjoy having their ears rubbed.
8. Rubbing a rat’s belly like you would a dog’s isn’t recommended until the rat trusts you and is very comfortable with you. And if you stroke your rat’s face, make sure to rub in the direction the whiskers grow (stroke back toward the ears) – pulling them forward is generally uncomfortable for the rat
9. Rats are super clean! Even cleaner than a cat!
10. Rats are pretty great swimmers, and most of them really enjoy it!