Rats make wonderful pets!! They are an excellent choice when it comes to keeping a pet in an apartment, where cats or dogs aren't allowed. Rats are very intelligent, sometimes compared to the intelligence of a dog or cat, just in a smaller sense. Contrary to what some people believe, rats are not dirty! I believe they clean themselves as much as or even more often than cats do. They clean themselves just like cats too. Rats are easily trained, and love getting treats for doing a trick. Rats rarely bite, usually only when they're scared, feel threatened, or smell food on your hands.

Rats aren't very expensive to upkeep, but the initial costs are rather high. The biggest cost would be the cage. We bought ours at Petsmart for $45. It was a good investment tho, as our rats love it. Plan on spending at least $30 for a cage, unless you want to make your own. CareFresh bedding costs around $5-$6 a bag (10 liters); aspen bedding runs about $5 (1500 cubic in). Food is approximately $3-$6, depending on which brand and how much you get. Store bought treats run fairly high, a small bag being about $3.

Do you have the time? Rats require much human attention, at least an hour each day. If you don't spend a lot of time with your rat, he won't be as tame or affectionate. After spending time with your rat, you will become the best of friends. Also, cleaning the cage takes some time as well. Thoroughly clean the cage, remove all bedding, wash all toys, water bottle and food bowls.

Before you even go out to buy a rat, buy everything else *first*. Have the cage set up and ready to go when you bring your ratties home. Make sure you have all your supplies: cage, water bottle, bedding, food, toys, treats, nest box.

Hold on! You're not ready yet..put those car keys back down. There are a few things to consider before getting a rat.

Boys or Girls?
Neither sex is better, but always get the same sex when buying two or more rats (unless you plan on breeding them). Male rats (bucks) tend to be more lazier (go figure!) and female rats are busy or on the go. Similar to dogs, male rats will scent mark their territory with their urine. Not only do they mark their cage, but wherever they are allowed to go, even you! Because of this, their cage may smell stronger. You might want to wear old clothes when handling your rat, or covering up furniture/carpet with old sheets. Female rats (does) are smaller than males and have a smoother coat. Adult male rats weigh about 400-700 grams (14-24 oz), whereas females weigh 200-500 grams (7-17 oz). The male rat makes a better lap pet. The female is more curious and likes to explore.

How Many?
Rats are very social creatures. They need lots of attention, so they need a companion. 2 rats are a perfect pair, but you don't have to stop there. But make sure you have plenty of space to keep more rats. Not only is it better for your rats to have a friend, but it's spellbinding just watching them play together. Rats living in pairs have much more fulfilling lives than solitary rats

Choosing Your Rat
There are tons of varieties of rats! If you can, purchase your rat from a breeder; rats aren't exposed to as many illnesses and are handled more often. Don't fret if you can't find a breeder near you! A pet store is just fine. You may want to check the Ratty Health section so you know what to look for. I believe that the employee at the pet store we got our rats from was clueless about rats. Pick a rat and hold it up to your ear. Listen for sneezing, loud breathing or wheezing. You DON'T want to get a rat with those symptoms, nor do you want to get any rat from that cage. In fact, you may want to go to a different pet store altogether, as most diseases are airborne. Feel the rat's belly - do you feel any lumps (tumors)? Check the nose, eyes, and ears for any for any red spots and cloudiness in the eyes. Hold the rat in your hand - he should feel hefty, not thin or light. Let the rat crawl on you. It shouldn't bite! Shy rats take more time to socialize, but they can be great pets. Stick your hand into the cage. Pick from the rats that come to investigate. Don't be afraid to ask questions, either! You want to know how old they are, if male and females are kept separate or together, what sex your rat is, etc. Choose a rat that is about 6 weeks old. A younger rat may not be fully weaned from its mother.

When you go to choose your rat, you may want to bring along a container to transport your rat. Or, you could buy one at the pet store. It will also come in handy when it comes time to clean the cage. It's not necessary to have one, as the store will provide a box for you.

Okay, now you can go out and buy your rat :)