(frequently asked questions)
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A: Rats are very social animals, so it is always advisable to get at least 2. I do reccomend having three rats. If a rat is kept alone, it may literally pine away. (e.g. you get two rats, when they are old, one dies, and the other rattie is left without a cagemate)
Q: Where should I get my rats from?
A: Well let's see.... a rat you obtain from a breeder is more likely to be healthy. Pet stores do not breed for temperament and health, so even though a pet store rat might be friendly, they are less likely to have health problems. Plus, some people buy rats from a petstore, thinking that they have "two girls"/"two boys", and end up with a boy and a girl (and a bunch of babies!) Also, many petstore females may be pregnant because the store didn't seperate the males or females (or couldn't tell them apart)
Q: I can't find any local breeders. Should I just get some ratties from a pet store?
A: Have you tried looking for any rattie rescues in your area? There are many rescue ratties in need of permanent homes. Or maybe you could adopt some ratties from a lab who will no longer be needed.
Q: What breed of rats should I get?
A: There are currently no standardized rats breeds, there are types/varieties. There are many different rat types. They all fall into one of the four categories, body type, coat type, markings (color pattern), and color.
Q: What should I look for in healthy rats?
A healthy rat should have bright eyes, is active, a healthy, shiny coat, doesn't sneeze much (if the rat sneezes, say ten times in a row or sneezes constantly, the rat is likely to be unhealthy), and is curious.
Q: Should I get boys or girls?
A: Depends on what you are looking for. Boys tend to be squishy lap rats, girls tend to be crazy ("let's explore!"), and active. Though sometimes you may run into a girl who makes a good lap rat, and vice versa.
More FAQ's coming soon!
E-mail: clickertricks@yahoo.com