I recently bought the most beautiful rat from a pet store, and have asked about the best way to take care of him. Only problem is the guy at the pet store didn't sound very sure about what he was saying. I researched about them but most websites I tried conflicted what the last site said. I would really appreciate anyone telling me the best way to take care of my boy and give him a good life.

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Originally Posted by UncloudedEyes

I recently bought the most beautiful rat from a pet store, and have asked about the best way to take care of him. Only problem is the guy at the pet store didn't sound very sure about what he was saying. I researched about them but most websites I tried conflicted what the last site said. I would really appreciate anyone telling me the best way to take care of my boy and give him a good life.

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I trust the ASPCA - ASPCA | Rat Care

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

I trust the ASPCA - ASPCA | Rat Care

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Thanks a lot!

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Originally Posted by UncloudedEyes

Thanks alot!

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I know NOTHING about rats. Come back and let us know if they're good pets.

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

I know NOTHING about rats. Come back and let us know if they're good pets.

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So far I think they are amazing!

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Originally Posted by UncloudedEyes

So far I think they are amazing!

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I've got a few rats named batrat and sparky I'm sure you'll have a great time with your pet!! Oh and you should get the book my rat by Gerd Ludwig it will have a grey and white rat on the cover oh and your rat will need a bigger cage with a companion. Or else he could die

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Originally Posted by Brianna01hermy

I've got a few rats named batrat and sparky I'm sure you'll have a great time with your pet!!!! Oh and you should get the book my rat by Gerd Ludwig it will have a grey and white rat on the cover oh and your rat will need a bigger cage with a companion. Or else he could die

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Why would living alone cause a rat to die?

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Originally Posted by Brianna01hermy

I've got a few rats named batrat and sparky I'm sure you'll have a great time with your pet!!!! Oh and you should get the book my rat by Gerd Ludwig it will have a grey and white rat on the cover oh and your rat will need a bigger cage with a companion. Or else he could die

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Why would he die from living alone?

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Originally Posted by UncloudedEyes

Why would he die from living alone?

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Oh, good, it's not just me.

I stopped at the pet store yesterday to buy some dog treats and looked at the rats. I didn't know they are so many different colors. One of the salesgirls had one on her shoulder and he was just riding around.

If you can get past the "Oh, look. It's a RAT!" moment they look pretty cute - this one was really friendly.

Do rats, like mice, go potty wherever they are -- riding on one's shoulder, for instance? They are cute, cling nicely to clothes as they crawl around, but leave a pungent "trail" behind them.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Do rats, like mice, go potty wherever they are -- riding on one's shoulder, for instance? They are cute, cling nicely to clothes as they crawl around, but leave a pungent "trail" behind them.

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My rat so far has never done it when riding on my shoulder, but I put him on my mom once and he did. :3 I think after a while they learn not to 'go' outside of the cage, but it may take a while for them to learn. Not 100% sure, but it's what it seems like.

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Originally Posted by Brianna01hermy

oh and your rat will need a bigger cage with a companion. Or else he could die

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Rats don't need companions to stay alive.

Also, at this point, if the OP were to add another rat to the cage, there likely would be fighting over territory.

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Originally Posted by UncloudedEyes

My rat so far has never done it when riding on my shoulder, but I put him on my mom once and he did. :3 I think after a while they learn not to 'go' outside of the cage, but it may take a while for them to learn. Not 100% sure, but it's what it seems like.

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How do they learn?

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

How do they learn?

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Rats are incredibly smart.

They will pee and poo on people if they are scared. After much handling, they get used to it and seem to know that this is not the place for them to relieve themselves.

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Originally Posted by odinn7

Rats are incredibly smart.

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They must be smarter than mice.

They do seem to be. I have had both. Mice can learn to adapt but it seems that rats can learn to think.

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Originally Posted by UncloudedEyes

Why would he die from living alone?

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Because out in the wild they usually live in big groups. I had a rat named cocoa an it was just her and she died and she actually wasn't old

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Originally Posted by Brianna01hermy

Because out in the wild they usually live in big groups. I had a rat named cocoa an it was just her and she died and she actually wasn't old

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She didn't die of loneliness.

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Originally Posted by Brianna01hermy

Because out in the wild they usually live in big groups. I had a rat named cocoa an it was just her and she died and she actually wasn't old

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Perhaps you think she died from being alone but I guarantee you, it wasn't because of that.

Rats, as well as mice, are very smart. Can't get pet rats where I live, but mice are available. I've tried to talk hubby into a mouse a few times, we got hamsters instead. Dumber than posts. Cute though. ;)

Rats can be trained very easily. They can also be potty trained (I'm sure if this because I potty trained my dumb hamsters, if they can do it, a rat can). They do not need companionship from another rat in order to live long lives. Would they be happier with a companion, well it really depends on the amount of time you spend with your pet. If you spend 1 hour a week with your rat, then a friend would be a good idea, and really not that hard to introduce to your current rat. If you spend lots of time with your rat then you don't need to get him a friend.

Make sure that the rat has the proper nutrition, safe toys, and a lot of attention.

I'm not a rat expert, so I would have to do some research before giving any more information from what I've already posted, but from friends that have had rats, and having had mice (a close relative) I do know that the above info is accurate.

We need Shazzy, our current rat expert. :)