When it comes to choosing a pet that’s fun, intelligent, and affectionate, pet rats are a great choice, especially for those who need a pet that is suitable for apartment living or that is easy to bond with. However, despite their size and reputation for being a low-maintenance pet, rats require and deserve specialized care to stay happy, healthy, and active. At Eagle Animal Hospital, we’re here to help pet parents provide the best lives and care for their animals, so keep reading for tips on pet rats before you get your own.
Never Have Just One
Rats require social interaction to stay happy and healthy, so you should never have a single rat for a pet. Without socialization from other rats, they can get lonely and bored, leading to behavioral problems, unhealthy habits, and even depression. Plus, having multiple rats means more love, fun, and bonding to enjoy with your pets!
Provide Lots of Enrichment
Rats are incredibly intelligent animals, and providing enrichment keeps them happier throughout their life. Great enrichment options include treats folded inside a paper towel tube, cardboard boxes for hiding and chewing, and even training sessions! Rats are smart enough to learn tricks and commands, and learning is a great way to provide enrichment in addition to bonding.
Free-Roam Time is Essential
While rats can live happily inside their enclosure, offering them supervised free-roam time provides exercise and mental stimulation that’s essential to healthy rats. Create a free-roam playpen for your rats by circling an area with cardboard or mesh (material that they can’t squeeze out of or under easily) and bring toys, treats, and safe obstacles for them to play with while they free-roam.
Have Fun With Them!
Of course, having fun with your pets may seem like a no-brainer, but rats can provide more than just entertainment. They are intelligent, affectionate, and intuitive animals that can bond deeply with their humans, so spending time with them regularly, whether it’s playing, training, or just cuddling them keeps everyone happy and healthy!
Eagle Animal Hospital is proud to offer exotic pet care services at Riverside and Tiffany Springs, so call us to schedule your rat’s physical exam or routine vet care today!