The domestic rat: everything you need to know about this small mammal

Intelligent, clean and curious, too often domestic rats still suffer from unjustified prejudice. Yet this sociable rodent is a wonderful companion for anyone who takes the time to look after its needs. What should a pet rat’s cage contain? What do they eat? Do they have any issues health-wise? Let Francodex introduce you to a very endearing little mammal.

 

Looking after your pet rat

Domestic rat fact sheet

Let’s start by learning more about the domestic rat through its main physical, morphological, biological and behavioural characteristics:

At birth, baby rats, known as kittens or pups, are naked, blind and deaf.

However, they quickly develop, with a coat appearing within the first week and eyes opening at around 13 to 15 days.

You’ll find there are several varieties of pet rat that all differ in appearance:

• the classic domestic rat, which has ears on top of the skull and a short, smooth coat,
• the Dumbo rat, which can be recognised by its large, round ears, set lower and to the side of its head,
• the Rex or double Rex rat, which has a slightly curly coat, more or less dense but short, and curly whiskers. A double rex sometimes has hairless areas,
• the naked rat, which is completely hairless. Its smooth, sometimes wrinkled skin is more sensitive to cold and damp,
• the satin rat has an extremely glossy, as though lacquered coat, with a very silky feel,
• domestic rats with specific coats, such as:
  • the hooded rat, with a plain body, a coloured head and a stripe down the spine,
  • the Berkshire rat, with a white belly and coloured back,
  • the husky rat, with a grey coat that gradually lightens,
  • the Siamese rat, with darker colouring on the extremities (tail, nose, ears).

Why choose a rat for a pet?

Often victims of prejudice, domestic rats are nevertheless one of the most endearing and intelligent rodents you can keep.

Playful and sociable, they form genuine bonds with their humans. They also recognise voices and can learn their own names - they can even perform small tricks if you use positive reinforcement.

Contrary to popular belief, domestic rats are naturally clean and spend a lot of time grooming themselves.

Domestic rats are equally at home in flats and houses, as long as they never live alone and are provided with a stimulating environment and daily contact.

What is the ideal environment for a pet rat?

In captivity, a pet rat’s well-being depends on the quality of its environment. To remain in good physical and mental health, they need somewhere that is secure, stimulating and cleaned and maintained regularly.

A spacious, structured, stimulating home

Domestic rats need a large, well-appointed cage. It must measure at least 80 x 50 x 50 cm for two individuals, and have:

• several levels,
• platforms,
• ramps to encourage movement.

Bars are preferable to Plexiglas, as they provide good ventilation, which is essential to prevent respiratory problems.

Situated in a place that’s not too isolated from the rest of the house and sheltered from draughts, your rat’s cage should be designed as a real play area, with:

• hammocks
• tunnels
• ropes
• hideaways
• things to gnaw
• ect.

Varying textures and shapes is essential for stimulating your pet rat’s brain and preventing boredom.

You should also make sure that the floor is covered with rodent bedding (hemp, flax, maize) and, above all, avoid cedar or pine shavings. They become toxic to the fragile respiratory tract, ammonia being formed when they come into contact with urine.

A domestic rat should never live alone. Living with a fellow rat of the same sex (preferably females), properly introduced, helps guarantee their emotional balance.

Cage maintenance and hygiene

Every day, remove any soiled areas and replace the water and hay. Once a week, we recommend a thorough clean of the cage, accessories and floors.

If your vet has ruled out any health problems, but your pet’s smell is still too strong for you, give it some odour care treats, which reduce unpleasant odours from urine, digestive tract and coat by strengthening the skin barrier. But good hygiene remains the priority!

To disinfect your pet rat’s environment without harming its sensitive respiratory tract, Francodex 5-in-1 disinfectant spray⁽¹⁾ is just the thing. It cleans, deodorises and gets rid of bacteria. On the other hand, for small surfaces or quick everyday cleaning, opt for multi-purpose cleaning wipes.

(1) Biocidal class TP2, TP3 and TP4: Dangerous. Observe the precautions for use. Always read the label and product information before use.

Pet rats: what kind of diet meets their needs?

The domestic rat is an opportunistic omnivore. In the wild, it feeds mainly on plants, but supplements its diet with animal proteins.

In captivity, this small mammal’s diet must be balanced, varied and low in fat, because domestic rats have a tendency towards obesity and diabetes, so their diet needs to be carefully monitored.

The basic diet of a pet rat:

• a mixture of special pet rat complete pellets, to be given daily,
• a few fresh vegetables (carrots, courgettes, broccoli, for example) to be introduced very gradually to avoid any digestive problems,
• a few pieces of fresh fruit - but only now and again, because of the sugar,
• occasionally, a little cooked white meat, cooked eggs or yoghurt, for protein,
• clean, fresh water available at all times.

⚠️Focus on foods you should never give small mammals!

If your pet rat shows a drop in energy, has a dull coat or appears generally weaker, it may be suffering from deficiencies. Consult your vet as soon as possible. On medical advice, a complementary food such as Vitavit can help during convalescence, but it must be accompanied by a change in your pet’s overall diet.

What’s more, to maintain your little pet’s digestive balance, or during a dietary transition, give it 1 or 2 Intestinet treats a day.

How to look after your pet rat’s health?

Pet rats are robust, lively creatures. However, diseases can progress rapidly in small mammals, which means they need to be monitored on a daily basis.

The domestic rat is predisposed to respiratory problems: sneezing, wheezing, rapid or noisy breathing.

These symptoms are often linked to:

• unsuitable bedding
• a poorly ventilated environment
• a weakened immune system.

Digestive problems (diarrhoea, constipation) and parasites are also common in rats.

If in doubt, consult your vet. As a preventive measure to limit the risk of infestation by external parasites, your vet may recommend a recurrent treatment using insect repellent or anti-parasite pipettes ^(2).

(2) Biocidal product class TP 2: Use biocidal products with care. Always read the label and product information before use.

What’s more, to look after your pet rat’s oral hygiene, you can give it treats rich in vitamin C and pomegranate, which help keep gums healthy.

By following these valuable tips, your pet rats should live long, healthy, happy lives. Have you already chosen names for your future little friends?

Looking after your pet rat

Article drawn up with the assistance of
Dr Marie MAROSSERO, Veterinary Surgeon