The following guide is not meant to be comprehensive at all, but more of an overview. For more in-depth details, you can review blog entries on the topic and check the sites linked in the side-bar. No information I provide here is meant to substitute for veterinary advice. If your rat is sick, take him to the vet!
Housing
As a general rule, you should allow two cubic feet of space per rat kept in a cage. This rule is somewhat flexible depending on the way you utilize space inside the cage, but it's a good ground rule to start with. You can use this site to help you determine how many rats can comfortably live inside of a cage before you buy it.
Wire cages are superior to aquariums due to their better ventilation and the climbing space they offer. You should never house a rat in an aquarium as the accumulation of ammonia from urine can cause irritation to the rat's respiratory tract.
When selecting a cage, be sure that the bar spacing is narrow enough. Some larger males will be fine with 1" bar spacing, but smaller rats and females will be able to squirm through; you're better off selecting 1/2" spacing or smaller. Additionally, select a cage that's easy to clean and has doors that provide easy access to all levels of the cage. Always choose a cage with powder-coated wire, as galvanized metal traps odor and deteriorates rapidly and non-treated cages will rust and cause health hazards for your rats.
Food
There is some debate among rat owners about the best rat food. Some people prefer to make a mix, while others prefer a lab block based diet. I personally prefer lab blocks, occasionally supplemented with a grain mixture of puffed cereals, rice, and oats. Whatever you decide to feed, you should avoid the "nut and seed" mixes commercially available in most pet stores -- rats will pick and choose and will tend to gain weight on these diets. Also, commercial seed mixes usually come with alfalfa pellets that the rats cannot actually digest, and are extremely messy.
There are two main brands of lab block that everyone recommends: Oxbow Regal Rat and Harlan-Teklad. Both are available to order online, but are usually not available in pet stores. Rats usually prefer the HT blocks, but the Oxbow has higher quality ingredients.
If you cannot order your pet food online, rat lab blocks are available in stores as well. The Kay-Tee Forti-Diet blocks are OK in a pinch, but they're full of a lot of empty calories; Mazuri is somewhat higher quality, but has too much protein. I would recommend you use the 8 in 1 lab block available at Wal-Mart. It's cheap and high quality.
You should aim to provide a low-protein diet, and supplement it as often as possible with fresh vegetables, especially dark leafy greens and other vitamin-rich veggies. You can also give small amounts of grains and some proteins as treats. Soy has been linked to cancer prevention in rats.
Lifestyle
Rats are social animals and will become extremely depressed and neurotic if they live alone too long. You should always aim to keep your rats at least in pairs; ideally, groups of 3-5 are best as their personalities come out the best in those numbers.
You should also provide lots of quality stimulation for them. They should get "out" time to run around, explore, and play with their human every day for at least half an hour. Their cage should also have several different places to rest and play. Rats enjoy nesting, and will be happiest if they have lots of options. Cages with lots of places to climb are also more interesting and enjoyable for rats than those that are all one level, and multiple levels, hammocks, and shelves make better use of space in your rat's home.
Health Care
It can be difficult to find a rat-friendly veterinarian, especially if you live in a rural community. To help with most medical ailments, I always consult the Ratguide before going to the vet. You can print off the page and discuss treatment options with your vet that way; a good vet is good at taking suggestions and is willing to try new things.
The most common ailments rats suffer from:
- Respiratory infections (will require antibiotics)
- Heart disease (need antibiotics and heart meds like Lasix or Enlapril)
- Tumors (may require surgery)
- Neurological issues (responds well to steroid therapy)
Rat First Aid Kit
You can save a lot of money on veterinary care by learning how to do basic first aid yourself. By treating minor conditions, you can save your vet fund for serious issues. Additionally, you can be prepared in an emergency to provide short-term care. Every rat-owning household should have a first aid kit available:
- Towels for warmth and to restrain a struggling rat
- Syringes for giving liquid food or medication
- Styptic powder, flour, or corn starch to stop bleeding from minor wounds
- Nail clippers to trim overgrown teeth
- Topical antibiotic ointment for minor cuts
- Ensure or similar type of high-nutrient meal replacement, for rats who are not eating well due to age or illness
- Saline solution for irrigating wounds
- Epsom salts to soak abscesses
- Infant ibuprofen for pain relief
