I have a problem... discussion

I'm thinking about getting a pet rat- I have full permission to purchase one under the conditions that I pay all costs and I take care of it. I still have my eye on hamsters, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, and rabbits but rats are the most intelligent of all small animals, thus capturing my attention (no matter how adorable the dwarf hamsters are).

I think I've worked out a decent schedule for taking care of it, consisting of: daily food refills, veggie treats, water changing, and interraction; bi-weekly fruit treats; and weekly begging changes and toy changes. Does anybody who's owned rats before have any modifications to suggest?

Also- I've been looking at rat cages online. I'm trying to figure out what's the most bang for my buck while meeting high-quality standards (durable and spacious) but it's kinda confusing. Do any rat owners have recomendations or pointers on what to look for?

Any other general advice about small animals would be greatly appreciated.

I've owned rats before!!! They are probobly the BEST pets you could ever have! And I can honestly say that!
They are loyal, can be trained.
Can use a litter box if needed.
Are very sociable and will snuggle or play, depending on their temperment. Some rats will even lick your hands and face like a dog! =)

I recommend buying two or more, because like I said, they are social animals and will sleep together in a huddle to keep warm. Obviously, same gender unless you want to breed. xD
They can get really lonely and it is said that if you have two or more, healthy, well fed rats, they live longer and happier.
They can be trained, as I said. Take a raisin or a peanut and treat them the same you would a dog, they'll get there!
Also, a litter box is not neccisary but if you perfer that instead, it won't do any harm! They will naturaly separate the bathroom area from the rest of the cage anyway(usually in the corners). But it may be easier to clean the cage.
They will need baths after a while to. They groom themselves yes, but naturally, rats will swim in the wild. Once you think their fur is getty a little to oily, go ahead and lightly wash them with ROOM TEMPERATURE water and a damp washcloth.

That was just a little bit of my personal care advice, but if you really want a trusted perfessional's oppinions:
http://www.ratcare.org/
This lady is a TRUE rat pro. I have her book about rats! xD

Also! Here is a really good group, FULL of rat owners I have been on since I got my cute little girls!
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/2...

Thanks for the recomendations! These are some of the cages I'm looking at online:

All Living Things Pet Home for Rats $45


Super Pet My First Home Extra Large $70


This is a roughly proportional size comparison:


small=first
huge=second
tall=third

I just had a very simple cage. Like the first one. Dependant on the rat's temperment and activity level would you add toys to it.
I bought a little plastic toy with holes in the bottom if it so it would hang from the top of the bars. You would stuff it with food and the rats would pick the food out.

You wouldn't need to go so far as $90 for a rat house! xD Just get a plain cage, just like the second one. That is the syle I had for my ratties! xD
I checked out the demensions for it to, its a nice size. I'd reccomend that one.
Toy reccomendations!
Never get wire mesh toys/ramps for rats. They could slip and get a paw stuck or if the metal get's rusty, slice their delicate little paws.
Hammocks are ok, but rats tend to chew the fabric, so if you do get a hammock for them, check the strength often...
Rats will get bored if they don't have anything in their cage and then tend to squeak and squeal from restlessness and boredom.
They love to eat and chew. Often stick carrots or lettuce in their cages and let them munch. Also, there are chewtoys available!
Rats LOVE to climb. Ladders, ropes, tunnels, hammocks and platforms are the best way to entertain them!
Cardboard tubes, crumpled paper, paper bags and cardboard boxes are really good for them to play with!
If you get a wheel, make sure it is solid plastic with little notches for holding into, not the metal wire, for the same reasson I stated previously.

Bedding! NEVER USE CEDAR OR PINE! IT WILL KILL YOUR RAT! I promise you, if you use cedar or pine it WILL die. O.O Scary-huh? I'm sorry... I'm remebering what happened to my rat... he got pink eye and died. The natural chemicals in the pine and cedar bedding will damage them slowly and once you see the signs you can't help them...
Aspen bedding works fine but isn't the most comfortable bedding around...
You will find the best stuff out there isn't taht expensive!
CareFRESH Ultra is the bedding I used after my firts rat died from pine/cedar... CareFRESH has been deemed the #1 rat bedding out there! Trust me, it is REALLY good. It is absorbent, soft, and is easily woven into a snugly nest for little ratties!
http://exoticpets.about.com/od/guinea... (for more bedding tips)
http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/careof... (more cage reccomendations)

I'd go with the wide one. It is the biggest and the more space, the better.

But expensive. I'll definately still consider the small one, because it's still a decent size- right?

Yes, it is an okay size for two smaller rats.

What do you feed them? I'm looking at food now.

Supreme Pet Foods Reggie Rat Origional Food $8
Nutritionally complete and rats love it but VERY pricey

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro-Health Mouse, Rat, & Hamster Food $8.80 (5 lb)
Most rats love it and they can't leave the "healthy stuff" behind; cheap

Nutriphase Rat & Mouse Food $9 (5 lb)

Mazuri Rat & Mouse Diet $7 (2 lb)
Nutritionally the best and rats can't leave out the "healthy stuff" but pricey