Topic: Pet rat questions

[bulrush]

I am considering getting a pet rat. I had mice as a kid but I think I did a few things wrong. I have a few questions.

- I would like a smaller rat. Do they need to be in groups or is a single rat ok?
- What size cage do I need for a single rat. I can get rid of some of my fish and use a 10g aquarium.
- How long do rats live?
- If I put them on my shoulder will they poop on me?
- Replacing bedding and cleaning the cage once a week, is that enough?
- Clean cage with soap, pine cleaner, or something else?
- Cedar shavings ok for the cage?

Thanks all. We have some great pet lovers here and I didn't want to sign up for another website.

[Cholly]

Single rat is okay if you have time to socialize with it.
20 long would be better.
About 3 to 5 years depending on type.
They can be trained not to.
Sort of. Shavings or what have you should be changed out two or three times a week, washing would be okay weekly.
Soap and water fine.
A lot of debate about that now, I don't know.

Engaging little beggars, a lot smarter than mice. Wish I had time for one, but it wouldn't be fair to the dogs and cat, not to mention the fish.

[Sandypup]

Never had a rat and I'm too tired to find a few articles and websites, but I'll give the questions a shot.

Better in pairs unless you can socialize with and have lots of mental enrichment.
10 gallon aquarium is far too small and it's generally better to go with a wire cage for better ventilation.
What Chols said.
What Chols said. They can be trained to do tricks and lots of funny little stuff.
Spot cleaning daily is best and then a thorough cleaning once a week.
I'm assuming soap would be fine, pine cleaner would probably be bad for respiration.
NO cedar shavings. It can cause respiratory infections. I personally use white pine for my gerbils because it's cheap and doesn't have a massive smell to it.

[LittlePuff]

They make awesome pets. The smaller you can get them, the better. Handle them often. I had mine trained to use a litter box in his cage. He liked to chew plastic, so I used a glass container and clumping cat litter, it worked great. You'll only have to clean the cage weekly. I just scooped out his box daily, it only took a few minutes.

I have 2 dogs and 2 cats and they all let him run around and didn't bother him. I used baby shampoo for his baths. I gave him one every two weeks. He really liked the blow dryer.