Before you bring your new friends home, it is important to make sure you are set up with all the right kit to look after them. Most important is buying a suitable cage. Here are some things to think about when it comes to mice cage requirements. This post was coauthored by Beri Instone, a…
We all love treating our rats, and our rats love the interest and variety a yummy treat brings. However, it’s important treats are healthy for our pets, and a good way to do that is to make them ourselves. I mostly use bits and bobs of human foods as treats – a nut in a…
When adopting a pet, it is necessary to do some research about the type of animal, their care, and what to expect. However, there is a lot of misinformation out there so in this post, we’ll take a look at some of the most misleading pet rat myths. Myth 1: Rats Don’t Have Bladders –…
Cleaning is a job we must do regularly to eliminate germs, bugs and bad smells, and make sure our pets stay healthy. The practical basics of how to clean a rat cage are pretty straight forward (and we have a guide here to help!), but there are some less obvious things that are helpful to…
Pet rats come in lots of different varieties, but have you ever wondered why and how? Today’s article aims to demystify the genetics which give our rats different colors. Dominant and recessive genes Let’s start with a few terms. A gene is a section of DNA that tells cells, proteins and enzymes what to do….
When deciding to buy pet rats, one of the first decisions to make is whether to adopt boys or girls. Rats need to live in pairs or groups, as they are social creatures and don’t thrive living alone. However, unless you are desexing your rats, it is important that these are same-sex, as breeding is…
One of the downsides to keeping pet rats is that they are prone to illness. Although it is possible to breed against a lot of rat health problems, this requires expertise, effort, and careful record-keeping. That generally doesn’t happen where rats are being bred en-masse for sale. As a result, many rat owners will see…
Creating a safe and interesting cage layout for your rats is relatively straight forward. However, a new movement in pet keeping is challenging whether the way we keep rats – in cages, on shallow substrates and with artificial toys such as wheels – is the healthiest and best way to look after them. Being able…
Rats are naturally friendly and curious animals. Handled regularly from a few days old, they usually have no problems bonding with their owners. That’s why I recommend adopting baby rats from a reputable breeder or a well-cared for rescue litter. However, rats bred commercially en masse don’t receive this handling and can experience several stressful…