Caring for Rats!
Whether you are preparing to adopt or simply researching proper husbandry, this guide is designed to walk you through the essentials of responsible rat ownership.
I recommend reading the beginners’ guide first and then exploring our more detailed articles about rat care. To skip the beginner’s guide, click here.
My goal is to make sure every Sundae Morning rat goes to a home that feels confident, prepared, and informed.
Beginner’s Guide to Pet Rat Care
A guide for new owners from Sundae Morning Rattery
Pet rats are intelligent, affectionate animals that thrive on companionship and interaction. With proper care, they become incredibly social pets that enjoy spending time with their humans. This guide covers the essentials of responsible rat ownership, including housing, diet, enrichment, health, and daily care routines.
Why Rats Should Never Live Alone
Rats are extremely social animals and should always live with other rats. In the wild and in captivity they form complex social groups and rely on companionship for mental wellbeing. Keeping rats alone can lead to loneliness, stress, and behavioral problems. For this reason, responsible owners keep at least two rats of the same sex, although small groups often work even better.
Housing and Cage Setup
Rats need a spacious enclosure that allows climbing, exploring, and sleeping comfortably.
A good rat cage should have:
Multiple levels
Solid floors (not wire)
Good ventilation
Secure doors and narrow bar spacing
Plenty of climbing opportunities and clutter to feel safe
Rats are active animals, and larger cages significantly improve their welfare. Many care guides recommend at least 2 cubic feet of space per rat, though more space is always better.
Cage Setup Essentials
Your rats’ enclosure should include:
Hammocks
Hideouts
Climbing ropes or ladders
Chew toys
Litter box
Nesting material (paper, tissues, etc.)
Providing different textures and climbing options helps keep rats mentally stimulated.
Safe Bedding
Rats have sensitive respiratory systems, so choosing the right bedding is important. You should set up your enclosure to allow for deep bedding, between 2 - 4 inches deep.
Safe options include:
Aspen or kiln-dried pine bedding
Hemp bedding
Avoid:
Cedar
Pine
Dusty bedding
Fleece/blankets
Paper
These materials can either release harmful aromatic oils or allow ammonia buildup that will irritate the respiratory system.
Diet and Nutrition
Rats are omnivores and thrive on a varied diet that includes a balanced staple food plus fresh foods.
Staple Diet (Lab Blocks)
The majority of a rat’s diet should be a high-quality lab block or pellet designed specifically for rats.
These foods provide balanced nutrition and prevent rats from picking out only their favorite foods.
Common examples include:
Oxbow Essentials Adult Rat Food
Mazuri Rat and Mouse Diet
Teklad/Harlan lab blocks
Staple foods should make up the majority of a rat’s diet, with fresh foods offered as supplements.
Fresh Foods for Rats
Fresh foods provide enrichment and additional nutrition.
Good options include:
Vegetables
Broccoli
Kale
Carrots
Peas
Bokchoy
Fruits (in moderation)
Apples
Bananas
Berries
Protein treats
Eggs
Cooked chicken
Plain lactose free yogurt
Rats should always have access to fresh water from a water bottle.
Foods That Rats Should Not Eat
Some foods can be unsafe for rats and should be avoided. There are much more thorough lists online that you should read up on, although there is sometimes disagreement about what is and is not safe for rats. (I will make an all encompassing list soon!)
These include:
Raw beans
Alcohol
Caffeine
Very salty or sugary foods
Lactose
High fat foods (too many seeds, oils etc)
Feeding a balanced diet and limiting treats helps prevent obesity and health problems.
Enrichment and Mental Stimulation
Rats are extremely intelligent animals and require enrichment to stay happy.
A well-enriched cage may include:
Hammocks
Tunnels
Climbing ropes
Foraging toys
Wooden chew toys
Dig boxes
Rats should also receive daily out-of-cage exercise time to explore and interact with their owners. One hour per day minimum, the more the better! (As long as they have food and water available)
Without mental stimulation, rats can become bored or stressed.
Handling and Socialization
Most rats become very affectionate pets when handled regularly.
Tips for bonding with your rats:
Allow new rats a few days to settle into their new home
Use treats to build positive associations
Always support their body when lifting them
Never pick up a rat by its tail
Handle them with confidence, pick them up when needed, but also give them opportunities to choose to come to you
Have a dark cozy spot for them to settle, like a hoodie pocket or blanket so they feel safe with you
Regular handling helps build trust and strengthens your bond.
Health and Veterinary Care
Rats have short lifespans, but this does not mean you will find them passed away in their cage at the end of their life (it can happen, but it’s not typical). Rats are fighters and will hide infection and illness for as long as possible. It’s important to do daily health checks on your rats to catch illness early for the best chance of treatment.
Rats have very sensitive lungs and noses. You should never have candles, diffusers, fragrance, essential oils or Febreze where your rats may smell them. I also recommend using fragrance free dish soap to clean their cages to avoid irritation. I recommend having an air purifier, not because they are stinky, but because it helps filter out all of our toxins for them! Even all purpose cleaners can bother them. If you can smell it, they can smell it much, much more!
Common health issues include:
Respiratory infections
Tumors
Parasites (mites)
Abscesses, cuts and scrapes
Dental issues
Soft stool or changes in stool
Signs of illness may include:
Sneezing or noisy breathing
Weight loss
Lethargy
Lumps or swelling
Red discharge around the eyes or nose
Squinted eyes, side sucking
If you notice any of these symptoms, consult an exotic animal veterinarian.
How to do a health check
Weigh your rat on a kitchen scale. Record weight in grams. For adult rats, they should not be rapidly dropping or gaining weight.
Pet your rats with firm pressure, pay attention to the spine and hips. They should feel strong and stable. Watch for the spine feeling bony and/or thinning of skin.
Pick up your rat and look at their eyes. They should be wide open, bright, and shiny all over. Beware of dullness, discharge, crusties, injury, etc.
Check ears by looking into them for any discharge, and even smelling them for any signs of infection. If there is something wrong you may smell it. Feel around the jaw and under the ears for any swelling.
Hold the rat up so the side of their ribs is touching your ear. This is called Rat Phone. Listen to what their breathing sounds like every day. This will help you learn what their normal is, and you’ll notice if things change. It should sound like a whooshy helicopter. You shouldn’t hear any crackling, bubbling. popping, wheezing etc.
Lift rat up above you so you can see the mouth, and gently pull on the chin skin to look at the teeth. They should be flat across both ends of the teeth, not skewed or angled.
Feel down the sides of the rat for any lumps or bumps.
Look at the feel and nails and make sure they are clear of injury.
Check the genital area and tail for any swelling or injury. Rats keep themselves very clean, there should not be any residue around their genital area. For males, especially older males, you may need to slide back the sheath of the penis to make sure there is no buildup.
Put your rattie down and watch their behavior. A healthy rat will be bright, move confidently, sniff around and not make any breathing sounds. They should not wobble or have a head tilt. They should be able to sit up and hold their food tightly with two hands.
If anything comes up during your health checks, be sure to call your vet and get an appointment for your rat!
Daily and Weekly Rat Care Schedule
Many new owners wonder what daily care actually looks like. While routines vary, caring for rats usually involves a combination of daily interaction and routine cage maintenance. Below is a typical routine used at Sundae Morning Rattery.
Daily Routine
Morning:
Check food and refill lab blocks if needed
Refresh water bottles
Remove any spoiled food
Rat medicine, if necessary
Evening
Refill lab blocks and add fresh food
Spot clean cages
Free roam and social time, minimum 1 hour of supervised out-of-cage time
Health checks
Rat medicine, if necessary
Rats benefit greatly from daily interaction and exercise outside their enclosure.
Every Other Day
Change litter boxes
Replace or wash hammocks
Remove heavily soiled bedding
Rats tend to use certain areas more frequently, so these spots may need more frequent cleaning.
Weekly
Once per week:
Remove all bedding
Wash cage surfaces
Clean shelves and accessories
Replace bedding
Wash hammocks and fabric items
Order groceries with fresh food items in mind for the rats
Complete cage cleanings help prevent ammonia buildup from urine, which can irritate rats’ respiratory systems.
Introducing New Rats
When adding new rats to an existing group, introductions should be done carefully to avoid conflict.
Summary of rat introductions:
Quarantine new rats for 2 weeks in a separate room
Introduce rats in a fully cleaned, small carrier with supervision
After rats relax and are sleeping in carrier (a few hours hopefully), move rats into a slightly bigger cage (also ensure it is fully cleaned to avoid any old scents).
Once rats fully show bonding behavior (rat piles, snuggling, etc) they can be moved up into a larger cage. This entire process may take a few days to a few weeks, no need to rush.
Move rats to full size, fully cleaned cage.
Some minor squeaking and pinning is normal as rats establish hierarchy. Please do lots of research before introducing rats, as this quick summary is an example of one method.
Free Roam Safety
Before allowing rats to explore outside their cage, the area should be rat-proofed.
Make sure to:
Cover electrical cords
Block small holes or gaps
Remove toxic plants
Keep other pets away
Rats are natural chewers and can fit through surprisingly small spaces.
Choosing a Responsible Breeder
A responsible breeder focuses on health, temperament, and proper socialization.
Good breeders typically:
Handle babies appropriately
Select for temperament
Provide lifelong support to adopters
Offer guidance on care and introductions
Maintain clean housing and proper nutrition
Ethical breeders also ensure rats are placed in appropriate homes and are never adopted out alone.
Sources
Note on rat information. Rat care is constantly improving as we learn more about what works best for our little buddies. Its important to read up as much as possible from reputable sources about best practices for pet rats. There is sometimes disagreement in the community, so please do you research and try to understand why we do things the way we do!
Eversong Woods Rattery - Husbandry
https://www.eversongwoodsrattery.com/husbandrySan Diego Humane Society – Rat Care Guide
https://resources.sdhumane.org/Resource_Center/Educational_Materials/Small_Animal_Care/Rat_CareRSPCA – Rat Environment Guide
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rodents/rats/environmentWildwood Veterinary Hospital – Rat Care Sheet
https://wildwoodvet.com/animal-care-sheet/rat-careWhyte Ridge Veterinary Hospital – Rat Care Information
https://www.whyteridgevet.ca/rat-care-info.pmlSpectrum Morphs Rat Care Guide
https://www.spectrummorphs.com/sm/ratcare
Rat Care in Detail
*
Rat Care in Detail *
Best Bedding for Your Pet Rats
Best Bedding for Pet Rats | Safe Substrate Options for Respiratory Health and Enrichment
Bedding is more than just something that lines the bottom of the cage. It directly impacts your rats’ respiratory health, enrichment, and overall quality of life.
When choosing a substrate, there are two major priorities to keep in mind:
1. Supporting Natural Behaviors
Rats are active foragers and natural diggers. Their bedding should allow them to:
Tunnel
Dig
Burrow
Forage
One of the easiest ways to provide enrichment is by scattering food directly into the bedding and lightly ruffling it. This encourages natural foraging behavior, increases mental stimulation, reduces stress, and can even improve overall temperament.
Deep, loose substrate allows rats to express instinctive behaviors that are essential to their wellbeing.
2. Ammonia Control and Respiratory Health
Ammonia control is critical.
Rats have sensitive airways, and most pet rats carry Mycoplasma as a normal respiratory bacteria. When ammonia levels build up from urine, it irritates the respiratory tract and can trigger flare ups.
High ammonia exposure can lead to:
Chronic respiratory irritation
Increased susceptibility to infection
Permanent lung damage
The difficult part is that ammonia damage often develops slowly. Symptoms may not appear for months, and by the time you notice signs of respiratory distress, irreversible damage may have already occurred.
Your bedding must be highly absorbent and effective at neutralizing ammonia.
What to Avoid
Certain bedding types and additives can do more harm than good.
Avoid:
Scented bedding
Products with added fragrances
Anything containing sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
Scented products can irritate sensitive airways and may react negatively with ammonia in urine. Baking soda should never be used, as it produces carbon dioxide when introduced into the stomach, which can lead to blockages or intestinal rupture if ingested.
The following bedding types are not recommended:
Fleece or fabric as a primary substrate
Shredded newspaper or Yesterday’s News
Carefresh
Corn cob bedding
These options either lack proper ammonia control, do not support natural digging behaviors, or pose safety concerns.
Recommended Bedding Options
The following substrates are appropriate and support both health and enrichment:
Kiln dried pine
Aspen
Hemp
Flax
Compressed wood pellets can be used in litter boxes if desired.
For dig boxes or additional enrichment areas, you can use:
Cocopeat
Shredded paper
Hay
Providing the right bedding is one of the most important ways you can protect your rats’ respiratory health and improve their daily quality of life.
If you are ever unsure about a bedding choice, I am always happy to review it with you before adoption.