Any rat, adopted from animal shelter or a person that abandons them is by default ethical. You can find adoptable rats by following nearby animal shelters or on social media sites. Luckily, when deciding not to have rats anymore, most people look for new home for them. This will give you extra Karma.

IMPORTANT! Always evaluate your experience with rats. Occasionally, while adopting rats, you can come across unsocialized adult rats, that might be emotionally traumatized or abused. There is no shame in admitting that you can’t help them (yet) and leave them for more experienced rat parent to adopt.

There are many scary stories online about household chemicals, that can result in severe health problems and even death for rats. Before using any strong chemicals, make sure rats are at least located in another room, and that the area is well-ventilated. 

It would be very difficult to provide a list of harmful chemicals, so use common sense when dealing with cleaning agents! If you wouldn’t want it close to your face, it goes for rats as well. 

Remember, they are way more sensitive than we are!

They smell fresh, but there’s nothing natural in them. They pose a severe risk of damaging the rat’s respiratory system. 

Rats use smell to orient themselves within any given space. Any strong smell can throw them off and make them irritated, even if it doesn’t create any damage to the respiratory system.

It’s recommended to keep the living space free of any fragrances and ventilate regularly!

Excessively loud music or other noises will cause stress, as rats are very sensitive to loud noises! Keep the volume reasonable!

However, rats will get used to the normal noises of your environment, and won’t be scared! You can live as normal! They oftentimes sleep right through music, when it’s not obnoxiously loud! 🙂

There are many lovely videos of rats hanging out with other pets, but just as many stories of inter-species communication going wrong.

Rats are naturally territorial and prey animals at the same time. It’s hard to know exactly how a rat will react to the presence of another pet. This goes the other way around as well!

Make sure rats are safely contained within a cage when other pets are roaming the living space! Also, is the latching system of your cage designed so it can’t be opened by other animals easily?

AKA The Bathtub Method 😀 This uses neutral space, free of markings by any of the rats. Neutral territory lessens any aggression significantly, allowing the rats to get to know each other, without fighting for territory.

Bathtubs are commonly used for this, since rats aren’t usually free roamed there. If you choose to do this, cover the bottom of the bath with a clean towel, as rats don’t like to walk an cold or moist surfaces.

However, any other neutral space can be used, as long as it’s free from any rat smells.

Rats are prone to obesity, so it’s crucial to control portion sizes and not overfeed them. Obesity can lead to various health issues.

Keep in mind, that a rat will convince you that they are hungry in order to get more food, even though they aren’t even hungry. Don’t fall for this! 😀

Some rats may be sensitive to certain foods. If you notice digestive problems or allergies, consult with a veterinarian to adjust the diet accordingly.

It’s important to choose high-quality rat pellets containing all the necessary base nutrients. Look for pellets specifically intended for rats, not generic rodent pellets, these can have significantly different contents within them. For example, pellets indented for hamsters will have significantly more calories, than rats require.

It’s required to include fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, lean protein sources, grains, and occasional treats alongside pellets.

This is a very popular home-made diet that meets all of the rats dietary requirements! 

Offer occasional special treats like yogurt drops or bananas (rats have a special love for them!). These should be given sparingly as they are high in fat.

40 – 60 min would be optimal!

Of course, no rat would ever complain about a longer free roam, so find a compromise between your schedule and the rats’ activity level. When a rat goes to sleep somewhere in a free-roam area, you can just as well put them back in a cage to sleep there 🙂 

This generally will be a DIY option, that makes free-roams safer. Designated area is enclosed in a non-climbable (everything is climbable, according to Lara) enclosure for rats to roam in.

This will require less babysitting and allow you to do your stuff, but use your judgment! Make sure that the rats won’t escape it after all.

A decrease in appetite or a refusal to eat can be a strong indicator that your rat is not feeling well.

Weight loss may also occur. A good way to track it is to perform regular weigh-ins.

An increased thirst can also be a symptom of various illnesses and inflammatory processes.

• Sneezing, coughing, or wheezing, any unusual noises.
• Laboured or rapid breathing.
• Porphyria, excessive amount of porphyrin discharge from nose and eyes 

If a rat is unusually inactive, reluctant to move, or spends most of its time lying down, it may be a sign of illness.

However, this can also indicate lack of activities, free roams and companionship, evaluate carefully!

Rats are usually passionate about keeping their fur clean and well-kept. If that’s not the case, it’s most likely a sign of ilness.

Neurological symptoms include:

• Head tilting.
• Loss of balance or coordination.
• Seizures or tremors.

Any neurological symptoms must be discussed with a vet! It’s hard to diagnose the condition by yourself because different causes can create the same symptoms. For example: Head tilting can be caused by a zymbal gland tumor, ear infection or a stroke!

Since almost all of the rats carry Mycoplasma pulmonis bacteria when a URI is noticed, it’s important to find out the cause of the flare-up.

URI flare-ups can be caused by:

• Stress
• Inadequate ventilation and hygiene
• Weakened Immune System
• Environmental Factors (Temperature and humidity)

When the cause of the flare-up is detected, it’s possible to decrease the chance of it happening again in the future!

 Poor ventilation, high humidity, and overcrowding can contribute to respiratory issues. Ensure that your rat’s cage is adequately ventilated and cleaned regularly to prevent the build-up of ammonia and other irritants.

Optimal humidity: 40-60%

Optimal temperature: 18°C to 26°C / 64°F to 79°F

Don’t smoke or vape indoors when having pet rats! Avoid exposing your rats to secondhand smoke, as it can severely damage their respiratory system!

Stress can weaken a rat’s immune system, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections. Provide a stable and comfortable living environment to minimize stress.

Malocclusion occurs when the upper and lower incisors do not meet properly. This misalignment can result in uneven wear of the teeth, leading to overgrowth of some teeth and undergrowth of others.

Rats may break their teeth due to accidents, chewing on hard objects, or fighting with cage mates.

Dental abscesses can develop when an infection occurs in or around a tooth root. These can be painful and may cause swelling around the affected area.