Rats

by Carol A. Himsel

Offers practical advice on keeping rats as pets, and includes information on their housing and health care

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction

72 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1991

Reviews

[Andrew Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great solid manual from the medical, scientific, genetic, historical and biological perspective on proper rat husbandry, nutrition, health and care. Personally this would get my five stars if it also devoted just a little more print space to the importance of play, enrichment and maintaining a stimulating habitat for these sweet, intelligent (and very clean) serotonin dealers. Rats are such social animals (wrestling, playing tag and cuddling 24/7) that they really do need the company of at least one other rat, and I think this could have used more emphasis; however guidance on this may well have changed since 1991 when this book was published. I was surprised not to find a reference to bruxing and boggling behaviours in this manual, as this is perhaps the most obvious feedback we monkeys have that we're keeping safe, happy and contented rats. :)

[Jamie Wyatt Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually found this book very informative. I have found a lot of information out there about rats is untrue, but as I flipped through this book in Barnes and Noble I noticed a lot of things that were true. I know I will always be a rat lover so I figured so harm in buying a book about rats wouldn't be a waste of money. I was right. It had a lot of information I was already aware of, but also a lot of medical information and tips that I didn't know, but they will be useful in the future. Good informative book!

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were curious about owning a pet Rat, read this book! I learnt so much about owning a pet Rat and despite what people think, rats are clean,intelligent, fun animals that will make great pets for a small household and will bond to you like any dog or cat. Despite a few health issues they are not hard to care for and can live for a few years so they are a great pet! If you never liked rats, read this book, you will soon change your opinion about them!

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a more recent edition out now, but this was the one that the local public library had. It's a pretty good overview (as most of these Barron's books are), if not terribly detailed. My girlfriend's daughter recently got a pair of rats, and I'm hoping that the information I learned in this book will aid me in helping her with them.

[gooey boy jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really liked this book! as an aspiring rat owner getting ready to have rats of my own i found it very concise yet extremely helpful. while further reading of other bigger books helped expand some knowledge this was a very nice and informative start to my research.

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good basic beginner's guide. As an experienced owner, I didn't read anything I didn't know before.

One plus this book had was the charts of vitamin needs, sickness symptoms, and nutritional requirements. They are great references to have.

One big minus is that this book is dated. It lists wood shavings as acceptable bedding (it is no longer considered safe), and Carefresh bedding is called "hard to find" when it is very popular and in most any pet store.

[PJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was helpful and gave me some good information. Since it was published in 2002, I will soon read the 2012 edition as well.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend of mine has pet rats, and I realized I really didn't know much about them. This is an adequate beginners guide (one of the few the local library owned) and gave me the basics.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information but some strange choices as to what should be included.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too complete.

[Rayjan Koehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative little book. I have never had a rat(and am not able to get a companion animal right now), but the information i learned from this book should be useful in the future.