Pros and cons of keeping a decorative rat in the house

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05/29/2019 The desire to have a companion animal at home arises for various reasons.
Some simply love all living things, others are escaping loneliness, and still others are looking for a playmate for their child. Some people are frightened by the sight of a decorative rat and even disgusted. These animals don't deserve this kind of treatment. After all, good looks do not always mean a pleasant disposition.

Most likely, a negative reaction to tame rodents arises from comparing them with wild relatives. The rat, as a pet, has lived next to humans since the 18th century and is very different from its ancestors. This is a cute and smart creature.

Short

Keeping a rat is considered one of the simplest, compared to caring for other types of pets. Rats are easy to train, they are loyal and sociable, and friendly towards humans. Tame animals love to spend time with small children, but adults will not get bored with them either. Rats especially love it when their owner scratches their belly or behind their ears. They can spend hours next to their owner without intruding on him.

Some types of rats choose favorites among members of a large family, but willingly communicate with everyone. If the owner is sad and the animal feels it, he can try to cheer him up with funny faces or sounds. Rats are one of the few pets that can laugh when tickled.

The average lifespan of rodents is about 2 years. However, if the owner is able to provide the pet with adequate care, it can increase to 4 years. Rats are so unpretentious to care that even a junior high school student can handle it, with whom rats often become best friends.

Rodents in the wild live a nocturnal life, and during the day they sleep, preparing for the next hunting trip. If the rat is smart, then you can accustom it to daytime. And if a person himself is an owl by chronotype, then there is no point in changing the rhythm of the pet’s life; it will not interfere with everyday life. You can sometimes frolic with your pet at night; owners say that at night, contact with the animal is felt on a deeper level, when no one is distracting.

A rat is a rodent from the mouse family, which has more than 64 species. Rats began to be kept as pets in the 19th century, and in the process of breeding new breeds, they began to differ from their wild ancestors. During the breeding process, the calmest rodents were selected to prevent future outbreaks of aggression towards people.

But, despite the fact that the ornamental rat has a different character than its relatives living in the wild, it is very important to purchase a pet from a trusted place, which is bred and kept in the necessary conditions and does not have diseases. By purchasing such a rat, you can be sure of its safety.

A trusted place means purchasing an animal from a reputable breeder or pet store. When buying a rat from a pet store, pay attention to how they are kept: cages must be clean, food bowls must be filled with fresh food and clean water. The animal must be active: if the animal is lethargic and does not show activity, this may indicate its illness.

Rodent breeding

Puberty in a domestic decorative rat occurs at the age of 5-7 weeks. However, she cannot be mated at this time. Early pregnancy is harmful to the health of the rodent. The optimal age for the first crossing is 5-9 months. Fertilization is possible only during estrus, which occurs every 4-5 days and lasts for 12 hours. To get offspring, you need to keep the female together with the male, but before giving birth it is better to separate him.

Pregnancy in a domestic decorative rat lasts 21-23 days. There are 12-14 cubs in a litter. Although a rat has only 12 teats, it can feed even 22 pups. About 2-3 days before giving birth, the expectant mother begins to build a nest. She carries paper and pieces of fabric there. A pregnant rat's figure changes. It looks thick and resembles a pear. Your pet moves less and eats more. By the end of the term, a large belly is already clearly visible.

During pregnancy, it is very important to monitor the diet of your pet rat. She needs protein foods and vitamins. Childbirth in rats is easy and quick. The cubs stay with their mother until they are 4 weeks old, after which they need to be housed. You should not touch the little rats in the nest until they begin to emerge from it on their own.

Interesting fact. If a pet rat has not been fertilized before 9 months, then its ability to reproduce decreases. Overweight ornamental rodents also have problems with reproduction.

General characteristics of rats

If we compare representatives of different sexes, then females are more active than males, and males are more phlegmatic and somewhat lazy. But, regardless of gender, domestic rats are very loving, they will be happy with stroking and other caresses from the owner.

In addition, we can highlight the following features inherent in domestic rats:

• cleanliness;
• unpretentiousness in content;
• amenable to training;
• curiosity and intelligence;
• sociability.

It is important to remember that when buying such an animal, each quality can have not only advantages, but also disadvantages.

For example, fairly developed intelligence can create problems: they can open simple bolts and latches in a cage without any problems. But, at the same time, the developed intelligence of the rat makes this animal special: it recognizes its owner and can learn simple tricks.

It is also worth remembering that a rat is a rodent and if you give it the opportunity to walk, you should worry about the safety of the furniture and your belongings, and you also need to make sure that the animal does not eat something dangerous to its health.

The ancestors of rats and the current representatives living in the wild live in packs, so the rat will need communication, and if you do not have a goal to have offspring, then it is advisable to have two animals of the same sex. Same-sex rats will not fight for territory, so you do not have to worry about possible conflicts, and the main advantage is that they will not produce unwanted offspring.

But even with a neighbor, the animal needs communication with its owner. It is necessary to devote time to the pet so that it is sociable, not afraid of people, and also to avoid aggression towards people due to fear.

If the animal is not tamed, it will be unsociable and can show aggression towards its owner, experiencing fear of a person who is many times larger than its size. There have been cases when domesticated rats attacked people, to avoid this, pay attention and show care to your pets.

Is it true that they are marking territory?

Many people report that they leave drops of urine everywhere. This behavior is quite normal, this is how rodents mark their territory and this is inherent in nature.

The fact is that urine contains a huge amount of information that they leave for their relatives.

They not only mark their territory, but also convey information regarding age, social status, sexual maturity and the presence of stress. Marking territory is more characteristic of males, but females are no exception.

Owners often cover them with a special fabric during walks to protect carpets and furniture from such “fragrant” marks.

There are situations when animals urinate on themselves, but this does not apply to marks at all, it is a sign of a disease and you should definitely contact a veterinarian. Apart from the issues with marks, in general they are very clean and easily litter trained.

Pros and cons of keeping an animal

Despite the fact that many people are afraid of rats, they are very cute animals and excellent candidates for the role of pets. By getting such an animal, you can count on a lot of positive emotions, as well as a loyal friend who will always be with you.

Pros of keeping rats:

1. Cost-effective maintenance – the biggest cost is purchasing the cage. Feeding rats does not require investing large amounts of money, and you can make most of the accessories for the animal’s exciting leisure time yourself.
2. Not noisy animals - rats are very quiet animals, which is a huge advantage compared to other animals.
3. Simple diet. The decorative rat is an omnivore; moreover, they can be fed fruits and vegetables, and store-bought food is inexpensive.
4. They do not take up much space - rats do not require large cages, so they can be placed even in a small apartment.
5. They do not need to be walked - in comparison with other pets, this is a definite plus.
6. Cleanliness - these animals do not have any unpleasant odors if you tidy up their home in a timely manner.
7. Interest – rats are very interesting to watch, they are always busy with something.

Possible disadvantages:

1. If you have a cat or dog at home, then if you get a rat, there may be conflicts. Showing interest, animals can turn the cage over, and the rat will experience stress from being near a predator.
2. Sociability - if you do not have enough time to communicate, it is advisable to purchase a second animal.
3. Lack of time - if you spend a lot of time away from home, and your work involves business travel, it is better not to get a rat; if left unattended for a long time, the animal may die.
4. Allergies – if one of your family members is allergic to wool, it is better not to get a pet.
5. Short lifespan - rats live only 2-3 years, during which time any person will get used to their pet, and for children the death of a beloved animal can become a source of stress.

Based on the above pros and cons, we can conclude that rats have minor disadvantages. Before purchasing such an animal, it is important to take into account the interests of each family member and discuss the possibility of purchasing it together.

A decorative rat can become an irreplaceable friend, you can play with it, teach commands, even just watching the life of this animal brings only positive moments.

And most importantly, even in small rooms you can find a place for this animal.

By paying enough love and attention to your pet, even in such a short period of time in a rat’s life, you can get a lot of positive things.

It is not for nothing that the decorative rat is considered one of the most intelligent and loyal animals. Despite the fact that pets are unpretentious, before purchasing it is still worth learning about the peculiarities of caring for and maintaining animals. Minimal care and high intelligence, as well as devotion to humans, make pets of this species increasingly popular.

Money

Although these animals are inexpensive, they need a spacious cage. If you keep rodents in pairs, the cage should be large enough so that the animals can run and jump freely, make hiding places with supplies, and choose a favorite place to rest. The minimum acceptable dimensions for one or two animals: 60x40 cm, height not lower than 50 cm. It is logical that a spacious, high-quality cage costs a lot of money. And since pets spend most of their time in it, a small home will make the life of the rats miserable.

Rat care

Caring for your pet is not at all difficult; it is enough to follow basic cleanliness and general recommendations.

When keeping decorative rats, you will have to include cleaning the cage in your schedule. Daily change of drinkers, as well as replacement of dirty filler as needed, are mandatory rituals. It is periodically necessary to disinfect your pet's cage, especially those objects and things that he uses most often.

Animals are considered one of the most unpretentious and easily adapt to the surrounding space. Sometimes pets can be allowed to walk around the apartment. But it is especially important to keep an eye on it for those who have exposed wiring or valuables placed in a visible place in their apartment.

It is important for owners to know several general rules for keeping and caring for animals in order to avoid trouble:

• the cage should be located in a secluded place, protected from direct exposure to sunlight;
• include in the daily schedule basic cleaning of the cage, changing feeders and drinkers. It is advisable to have both regular and suspended cages at different levels;
• Twice a week it is necessary to thoroughly clean the cage with disinfection;
• if necessary, you need to bathe the animal in water at room temperature;
• You also need to systematically trim the animal’s claws using dedicated nail scissors.

Due to the fact that pets need movement, they need to be periodically given the opportunity to walk around the apartment. Experts advise first allocating him a certain free territory. And after accustoming to the name, you can periodically let him go around the entire apartment, but make sure that the safety of wires and personal belongings, especially important ones, are not left unattended.

Decorative rats are worthy contenders for the title of a pet and a full-fledged member of the family.

Anyone who has encountered this cute creature at least once in their life will no longer be indifferent to them. Rats are especially good with children; they can develop a sense of responsibility for their friends and skills in caring for animals. Children note that rats often become their best friends. This is especially noticeable among introverts or those who experience difficulties with socialization, for example, becoming the target of school bullying.

The rat will help irresponsible people learn the necessary qualities and value contact with the surrounding nature more. Experienced people began their care of animals by keeping rats.

It is advisable to keep the rat in a cage. The curiosity of an animal, if released into the wild, can cause great harm: while exploring new territories, a rat can damage things/furniture, as well as harm itself. When releasing the animal, try to keep it in sight, and after the walk, do not forget to return it to the cage.

Despite the fact that the rat is a fairly clean animal, it is necessary to clean the cage on time, remove old food, change the water, and replace the bedding to avoid unpleasant odors. Timely cleaning of your home will prevent not only the development of unpleasant odors, but also the development of infections that can trigger the development of diseases.

In addition to cleaning, the animal needs a balanced diet, which can be purchased at any pet store, along with bedding and other necessary accessories for play.

But feeding a rodent involves more than just store-bought food; for a rat’s complete diet, it is necessary to provide fruits, vegetables and herbs, and you can pamper it with store-bought treats.

Required purchases:

• cell;
• a bowl for water and food (you can use a drinking bowl);
• accessories for games;
• litter

The first thing you need to provide your pet is a comfortable cage with the possibility of active games. Filler, constant access to water and food should always be available. Rats are clean animals and they do not need to change their litter too often. An aquarium is not suitable for the home; it provides insufficient ventilation and the rat can simply suffocate. If finances allow, you can purchase a 3-story cottage with many different exercise machines and other equipment. This will help the rat maintain sufficient physical activity when the owner is very busy.

In addition to size, a rodent cage must meet a number of the following simple but important requirements:

1. The strength of the metal rods from which the cage is made. The distance between them must be at least 10 mm.
2. A deep tray is required.
3. If there are exercise equipment, they should be securely secured.
4. Printing paper without ink can act as a filler.
5. The house must have a drinking bowl with a constant supply of clean water.
6. The presence of a shelter in which the pet can rest, hidden from prying eyes.

Diet of a decorative rat

Despite the general unpretentiousness, each type of rat may have its own favorite types of dishes that it prefers. To avoid a number of health problems, it is necessary to accustom your pet to a proper diet from a young age. A balanced diet for an animal should include the following products in different proportions:

Cereals

Crushed and dry cereals, as well as rice and barley porridges, are allowed.

Nuts and seeds

The seeds are suitable for pumpkin, sunflower, as well as sprouts of oats, wheat, and so on. You can give them to your pet in the form of dietary supplements.

Various fermented milk products

The main thing is that the products have moderate or low fat content.

Meat products and pure protein

It’s better not to rely heavily on protein sources, but you shouldn’t allow a deficiency either.

Vegetables

The fiber contained in vegetables stimulates the functioning of the intestines and the general gastrointestinal system.

How to choose a pet

When choosing a pet, pay attention to its behavior, since active and curious animals usually get used to people faster, and cheerfulness is also a sign of good health. Being too calm and quiet may indicate health problems.

Examine your pet, his nose, eyes and anus should be free of discharge. His coat should be well-groomed, beautiful and clean. They are very clean and spend a lot of time cleaning.

The skin on the ears and tail should be intact, pink and clean. Check the fur for parasites or lice. If you have lice, you may see parasite eggs behind your ears.

The rodent should breathe easily and calmly; difficulty breathing and sneezing indicate respiratory diseases. There should be no moisture around the mouth; excess saliva may indicate dental problems.