Handwritten by Jaxy Fox
So you want a pet rat?
Owning a rat is a great option for those looking to adopt a smaller animal, that they can handle well. Unlike some small animals, rats are quite easy to hold, let free roam around, and care for overall.
What you should know about rats:
- every rat is very different. Some are more active, some like to nibble lightly, while others just sleep and snuggle all day. Picking out the rat that matches your personality, is the big first step towards owning the right rat.
- some rats will need running wheels, while others will just sit and stare at it. Understanding and being flexible to your rats needs is important to maintain their quality of life.
- It is true what they say, “rats only live 2-3 years” but I have found, with good genetics and proper care they can easily live til 3-4 years depending. Just be prepared for a pet whose lifespan is really 2-4 years.
- Learn more about the first steps of taking home a rat, here.
How do I pick the right rat?
No pressure! No matter what, your pet rat is going to love you and cherish you. They are naturally very sweet, sensitive little creatures; curious to learn more about their world.
The first thing to check is their age, are you looking for an older rat or a younger rat? Some younger rats may require two to three times more attention than an older rat, who has already learned the art of chilling out.
Next is choosing your gender. Rat genders tend to vary with the norm being: females are more rambunctious than boys, and boys tend to be chill. I have found this to be the case, especially once they’re older. But not always gender specific traits!
It is less common to see a boy and girl rat bonded together. However, it can happen as long as one of the rats is spayed/neutered. (Which some rat folks can find to be, taboo.) In my experience, they are your rats and you shouldn’t feel the judgement of others towards your decisions as a rat owner. I had a boy neutered once at the Boulder Humane Society. I think it was around $150 and after the two weeks recovery, he was very relaxed around the female he ended up living with.
Some rats make exceptional Emotional Support Animals, you can learn more about it, here.
Where can I find rats to adopt?
Well from us of course! We try to make it easy for you to reach out to us, in fact, please feel free to text us about rats currently available at anytime of day, 303-229-4100.
We also recommend Colorado’s Rat Rescue, Smol Beans Rat Rescue. ColoradoRatRescue.com
Local shelters, Pet Shops, Craigslist, Facebook groups, are also valid ways to go about finding pet rats. But be advised: some noncommercial groups promote rats as feeder rats, or rats as food.
How can I adopt a rat through you?
I try to keep this website as up to date as possible, but chances are we have rats you cannot see, that are available. Please text us or email us, and we will get back to you same day.
What supplies will I need?
Please keep in mind the following are all personal suggestions:
• a Cage, with .5inch bar spacing or less. Critter Nation cages by Midwest are very popular for their size and tight (smaller than a half inch) bar spacing. Making them great for all small animals, including baby rats, which can easily slip through tight things. A great resource is Facebook marketplace for used cages.
Make sure to cover any floors with bars as this can cause injuries to their feet.
For two rats sharing a cage the recommended size is at least 6cubic feet. Remember rats love to climb, when choosing your cage.
• Bedding: NEVER WOOD CHIPS, not pine not aspen not cedar not any sort of wood chips should ever be used as a bedding. It irritates their sensitive respiratory systems. CHOOSING A BEDDING LIKE: Kaytee, is always a safe choice. It’s also worth the price because it truly expands. Some cheaper beddings will claim they “expand” but won’t.
Personally, I bought a paper shredder for like $25 + Construction paper 500 sheets $6 + Brown Lunch Bags $2 = a ton of safe bedding for rats.
• Food: The reason Oxbow Essentials is so highly talked about is because they have complete nutrition in every triangle. Choosing a rat food that’s assorted with seeds and such can be fun, but it’s not preferred. Rats can develop selective feeding habits, eating only the fun things and wasting the (using food colored) nutritious pieces. Also, the ingredients may include things they cannot digest, like whole raw corn seeds.
Choosing a whole nutrient ion food as their staple, and offering fresh fruits and veggies is going to be the best way to feed your rat!
• Feeding Accessories: try to find a metal bowl that will attach to the cage. Finding a secured bowl, rather than one that can be spilled, will save you money on food in the long run. (Check out bowls for birds.)
• Water Bottle: I have found the Lixit brand works well. Just read the directions 😅 Also helps to have more than one depending on how many rats you end up adopting.
• Toys, Enrichment Items, Boredom Breakers! Your rat needs a lot of exciting things to keep them busy. Whether you make these toys yourself, or you purchase them! (LEARN MORE ABOUT MAKING YOUR OWN TOYS HERE)
Making your own rat toys can be very rewarding! Check out arattoy.com for parts to build your own rat toys!
Otherwise, I like to tell people to buy bird toys for their rats. They are safe (usually) fun, colorful, and work great! (The rat toy market is virtually obsolete, but you can always check my pet store online: Ada toy.com).
• Comfort Items like: hammocks, liners and tray covers, okay, short list lol!
Here is a link to my ULTIMATE FIRST TIME RAT OWNERS WISHLIST
Cleaning the Cage:
Definetly something to keep in mind when choosing your cage. Having easy accessibility to all the corners is important.
I know this isn’t possible for everyone, but I just use a shop vac (after removing my rats from their cages, of course).
Hot Washcloths, rung out, and Vinegar/Water solution in your own spray bottle is going to work.
Be careful and avoid highly scented sprays as it’s too much for their respiratory systems. Also chemicals can burn their feet, and in turn, when they like their paws they would be ingesting it, too. So try to stay away from those types of cleaners.
THEY MAKE CLEANERS JUST FOR SMALL ANIMALS! I use “Absolutely Clean: Small Animal Cage Cleaner & Deodorizer.” The reason you want to have something like this on hand is because it cleans the uric acid (or urine build up).
Once a month or so you should spray what you can safely with bleach and let it sit for a few minutes for DEEPEST CLEANS! (And while bleach will help with overall disinfecting and removing mycoplasma – it will not remove all the uric acid) IF FACT, and most importantly: Bleach if not completely removed properly can mix with rat urine and cause a toxic ammonia which is quite dangerous for them. So only use bleach for your deep cleans, and remember to remove completely.
What to do if your rats start fighting:
First off, ask yourself why they are fighting? Is there enough food? Is one territorial over the food- you should multiple bowls then.
Is their cage clean? Rats will fight like an old married couple if their cage isn’t clean.
Be careful trying to separate your rats! Use a paper towel tube, or something soft and long. If you are ever going to be bit by a rat, it is 100% likely during a rat fight.
They are not common! But it can happen. Gently try to separate the calmer rat, for some cool off time, before reintroducing as cage mates again.
Should I get two rats or one?
Honestly, you have to adopt two or more, unless you are planning on playing with and socializing, letting them free roam, daily. Rats are empathetic and need companionship. If you are up to it! Then one rat might be for you!
Do I need to give my rats baths?
Some will say, “absolutely do not bathe your rat! They don’t need it!” Okay, well tell that to MY super smelly rat who loves to lay in their own poop.
So yes, you can. No, you don’t have to. Using a rat soap made for rats (we make our own soap and it’s the only rat specific soap on the market), or a gently baby soap works, too. It’s always going to be up to you whether or not you want to bathe your rats.
Technically speaking, rats are cleaner than cats. So…
Rat Care Tips:
learn more about introducing pet rats here: https://rattery.org/2025/09/09/best-way-to-introduce-pet-rats/
do not feed treats to your rats through the cage. Open the door each time and hand it to them. This way, you can help prevent them biting you each time you stick your fingers through the bars, because otherwise they might assume it’s treats.
rats love treats! And often, fresh fruits and vegetables can be offered in small amounts daily. See our list of safe foods for rats.
when picking up rats, never pick them up by the tail. In the unfortunate event, it could fall off (and will not grow back). Try scooping them! Or picking them up first under their arms and then meeting their butt and legs with your other hand for support. Like this:
if interested in learning about litter training, here is a separate article I have written: https://rattery.org/2025/09/11/how-do-you-litter-train-a-rat/