It is a good idea to keep your rat’s enclosure in a room of the home with a minimum of electrical devices such as kitchen equipment, TV’s or other objects, as rats are very sensitive to the electromagnetic fields that such equipment gives off. Here are some interesting facts about rats that you may not be aware of! These can upset your rat, and cause them to become unhappy and agitated. Other names for a Norway rat are common rat, brown rat, street rat, sewer rat, Hanover rat, Norwegian rat, or wharf rat. They enjoy toys, especially the kind that can be chewed and contain hidden treats. 10) A single rat can leave 25,000 droppings a year – poo–ey! It is literally impossible for a rat to vomit, because they have a particularly strong wall between the stomach and the oesophagus. How to Look After a Hairless Guinea Pig (Skinny Pig). Yes, rats are squeak-y clean! Rats tend to have certain favourite spots to be scratched and petted, including their ears, sides of the head and along the spine. Unlike humans, rats lack the ability to vomit… Want to learn a bit more about our rodent friends? Whether you are considering getting a pet rat for yourself or your child or already keep one or more of these lovely little rodents, this article will cover some fun and interesting facts about pet rats that you might not already know! This means that your rat may feel insecure or upset if you handle them when you are in a bad mood, so stick to picking them up when you’re feeling good! Do you like this article? Grinding the teeth is usually a sign of contentment and relaxation, much like cats and purring. Your rat should be used to people and well socialised in order to build up a trust and relationship with you, and assuming that this is achieved, they usually very much like getting attention! What did you think of our fab facts about rats? Feeding your rat the right foods to keep their teeth at a comfortable length is important, as is giving them toys that they can use to wear their teeth down. But did you know that rats grind their teeth too? Rats find it easier to distinguish moving objects, and will sometimes sway when checking out their surroundings in an attempt to help their vision to pick out shapes from the background. Rats are highly social animals that form complex social groups with other rats, and that will tend to be lonely and bored if housed alone. Let us know by leaving a comment, below! Two male rats may fight if introduced when adult, but if raised together as friends from a young age, are much more likely to get along. Their tail is an additional seven to nine inches long. © Copyright - Pets4Homes.co.uk (2005 - 2020) - Pet Media Ltd, Fun & Interesting Facts About Guinea Pigs, Foods That Are, and Are Not Safe for a Pet Rat. This is often accompanied by vibrating eyes. 9) Rats’ long tails are used for balance and to keep themselves cool – they can direct some of their body heat out through them! Once your rat knows you well and trusts you, they may even like you to stroke their tummy! But you can actually adopt a homeless pet rat from a rehoming shelter or charity, much as you can with a cat or a dog. 1. Once they learn a navigation route, they won’t forget it. Rats don’t have particularly good eyesight, and this is particularly true of rats with pink or red eyes. Rats take care of injured and sick rats in their group. For how misunderstood they are, rats as pets make amazing companions for a lot of different types of people and living situations. Rats have excellent memories. Rats are very sociable In the wild rats live in family groups, and pet rats should be no different. Decorate their cage with hammocks and hideaways (sometimes called igloos) so they have a place to kick back, if needed. Average lifespan of a pet rat is 18 to 36 months. Help us by answering a short survey. They need company so it’s best to get them in pairs or more - more is preferable to avoid a lone survivor if one dies unexpectedly, and they will go through a period of mourning when one of their family dies. 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. They can fit in amazingly small spaces Looking for free pet advice for your Rodent? Rats Can’t Vomit. Guinea pigs for sale. Rats make for one of the most rewarding small pets to own, as they are highly intelligent, interesting little animals that often bond strongly with their owners, and make for excellent companions that are rather more low maintenance than cats or dogs. 17 Facts That Will Make You Love Rats Even More. Pet rats should live in large, vertical cages, because they like to climb. But rats may also grind their teeth when they are upset or stressed to try to sooth themselves, which is again similar behaviour to cats and purring! They’re also great swimmers, able to hold their breath for several minutes. Pet Rat Facts . Rats are highly attuned to picking up negative emotions from their handlers, such as stress, tension or fear. Baby rats will pursue each other around the cage, wrestling and play fighting. 1. Contrary to what many people believe, pet rats are not the dirty, disease-infested creatures of folklore. So some people might consider wild rats to be a bit of a pest, but domestic rats can make really great pets. Can you keep a fennec fox in the UK as a pet? A Norway rat body is typically nine to eleven inches long. These rodents will typically keep their digs pretty clean. Without companionship rats tend to become lonely and depressed. However, rats can, on occasion, regurgitate their food, when partially digested food flows back up the oesophagus. Fact #1: Rats have touchy tummies and whiskers. Rats’ teeth grow throughout their lives; they do not stop once they reach a certain length! When happy, rats have been observed to chatter or grind their teeth. They’re known to be clever and affectionate pets and anyone who has pet rats will definitely be singing their praises! 1. If you’re in the market for a pet rat, your first port of call is likely to be the pet shop or online classified adverts. Potential rat owners are not always aware of this, so it is definitely worth checking out charities and adoption ads before you make a purchase. After this time, the rats will slowly stop playing in this way as they become more mature. Then leave your comments. The base of the tail can be sensitive in some rats, so avoid this spot! Take a look at our fun facts below. 4 months , 5 month and 1 yr, Russian Dwarf Hamster, Cage, and Accessories. Females tend to be more active and busy than males, and males are more likely to relax and sit in your lap while you stroke them! Tell us what features and improvements you would like to see on Pets4Homes. Male rats are usually slightly larger than females, and have slightly harsher fur. Amazing Facts About the Rat. Domestic rats are affectionate, clean, sensitive and easy to train. This behaviour starts at around two to three weeks of age, and peaks when the rats are around a month old. Have something to say? Read on to learn more. Some Fun And Interesting Facts About Rats Rats make for one of the most rewarding small pets to own, as they are highly intelligent, interesting little animals that often bond strongly with their owners, and make for excellent companions that are rather more low maintenance than cats or dogs. When rats are happy or playing, they … Wood shavings for bedding should not be made of wood such as pine or cedar, as these give off a product called phenols, which are toxic to rats. Most pet rats are actually a type of rat called a Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus). It is wise to keep at least two rats together, with same-sex pairings unless you are planning for babies! Just goes to show that they're the greatest pets ever. How Easy is it to Look After a Guinea Pig? If you want to avoid the potential of causing kidney, liver and respiratory problems in your pets, stick to hard wood shavings that are recommended as safe for rats, or use another medium entirely such as paper.