Rats: everything for clever, sociable pets

Anyone who has ever had rats knows it: they are special pets. Rats are intelligent, curious and sociable. They learn their name, come to you when you stand by the cage, and some rats even learn tricks. At the same time they need the right care: the company of their own kind, a roomy and tall enclosure, good food, a low-dust floor and something new to discover every day.

On this page you will find everything you need for rats, divided into five groups: rat food and snacks, bedding, cages, accessories and care products. Much of the food, the herbs, the bedding and the nesting material is from Zooply, our own premium brand. Knaagplaza is the webshop of 't Knaagplein in Bodegraven, and we use Zooply every day for the animals in our own shop and breeding facility.

At a glance

• ✓ Never keep rats alone: at least in pairs, preferably a small group of the same sex or neutered.
• ✓ Choose a tall cage with several levels and a bar spacing that suits the size of your rats.
• ✓ Give Zooply Rat Food as the foundation, a little fresh food and small extras; rats quickly become overweight.
• ✓ Use low-dust bedding without added scent; rats have sensitive airways.
• ✓ Provide attention, time out of the cage and enrichment every day.

What will you find in the Rats category?

Rat Food & Snacks

Rat Food & Snacks contains Zooply Rat Food, a complete mix made especially for rats, alongside the general Zooply Rodent Food. You will also find snacks for taming your rats, such as Zooply insects and the Zooply Nibble Mix, a large range of Zooply dried herbs, vegetables and flowers, and chewing material such as Zooply Apple Branches.

Bedding

In Bedding you will find low-dust Zooply bedding made of cotton, cardboard, coconut, hemp and wood fibre, corner toilets with litter, soft Zooply Nesting Material and Zooply dried grasses, moss and dried flowers for furnishing the enclosure naturally.

Cages

In Cages you will find cages for rats. A rat cage is tall, has several levels and is sturdy enough for animals that investigate everything with their teeth.

Accessories

Accessories contains houses, tunnels, wheels, hammocks and hanging bridges, toys and materials for rat scaping. With these you furnish the enclosure with raised sleeping spots, climbing routes and places to hide.

Care & Grooming

In Care & Grooming you will find water bottles, food bowls and transport boxes: the practical items for every day and for a visit to the vet.

Rats are group animals

A rat on its own is not a happy rat. Rats sleep curled up together, groom each other, play together and communicate all day long. Contact with you cannot replace that. So always keep rats at least in pairs, and preferably in a small group of three or more. Choose animals of the same sex, or combine neutered males with females. That way you avoid unwanted litters.

A group does need enough space. Provide several sleeping spots, several feeding spots and plenty of climbing routes, so that a rat that wants some peace can withdraw. That prevents tension in the group.

An enclosure that goes up

Rats are excellent climbers. A good rat cage is therefore not only wide, but above all tall, with several levels connected by ramps, ropes or hanging bridges. The bigger the enclosure, the better; a cage from the shop is often the minimum. Pay attention to the bar spacing. Young rats are small and squeeze through openings an adult rat cannot get through. Choose a cage whose bars suit the size of your rats.

Put the enclosure in a draught-free spot, not in full sun, not next to the radiator and not right next to a television or speakers. Rats are mainly active in the evening and at night. A spot in a room you go into regularly, but which is not too busy, often works well.

Diet: a complete foundation with small extras

Rats are omnivores. The foundation is a complete rat mix such as Zooply Rat Food, in a measured daily portion. On top of that they get a little fresh food, such as a piece of vegetable, and occasionally something rich in protein, such as a few dried insects or a piece of boiled egg. Snacks, nuts, seeds and fruit are extras. Keep them small, because rats quickly become overweight. A mix of grains and seeds is normal for rats; only top up the bowl once it is properly empty, so your rats also eat the less favourite pieces. Fresh, clean drinking water must always be available.

Floor, toilet and nest

Rats' airways are sensitive. Dust and ammonia from urine can irritate them. So choose low-dust bedding without added scent, such as Zooply bedding, and keep the enclosure well maintained. Remove wet patches daily and replace the whole layer in good time. Many rats learn to use a corner toilet if you put it in their favourite pee corner. For the sleeping spot, provide soft, safe nesting material, such as Zooply Nesting Material; never cotton wool or synthetic nesting fluff.

Enrichment and daily attention

A clever rat gets bored quickly. You can see boredom in gnawing at the enclosure, restless behaviour or, conversely, sleeping a lot. So give your rats something to do every day. Hide food or Zooply herbs in the enclosure, put down new branches or grasses, change a climbing route now and then and give them toys to pick apart. Also let your rats out of the enclosure every day, in a safe, enclosed area without cables, poisonous plants or gaps.

Taming works best with patience and small rewards. Sit quietly by the cage, let your rats come to you and reward them with a small piece of snack. Pick them up gently with your hand under their body and never by the tail.

Keeping an eye on health

Rats do not always show straight away that they are feeling unwell. So take a quick look at your rats every day. Are they eating and drinking normally? Are they active at their usual times? Is the coat smooth and are the eyes and nose clean? Weigh them every few weeks. Sneezing, squeaky or rattling breathing, red crusts around the nose or eyes, lethargy, eating less or losing weight are signs to take seriously. In that case, contact a vet with experience of rats. Respiratory problems can get worse quickly in rats.

For the visit to the vet, use a well-ventilated, lockable transport box with a layer of bedding and some food. Never leave the box in full sun or in a warm car.

Useful combinations

If you are just starting out with rats, you will need at least:

• A roomy rat cage with several levels.
• Zooply Rat Food as the daily foundation.
• Low-dust bedding from Zooply.
• Hammocks and hanging bridges for sleeping spots and climbing routes.
• A water bottle and a sturdy food bowl.

Frequently asked questions about rats

How many rats should I get?

At least two, and preferably three or more. Rats are group animals and need the company of their own kind to feel good. Choose animals of the same sex, or make sure the males are neutered if you want a mixed group. Then also provide an enclosure that is big enough for the whole group.

What is the minimum I need to get started?

A roomy, tall cage with levels, low-dust bedding, a water bottle, a sturdy food bowl, Zooply Rat Food, a few hammocks or houses to sleep in, nesting material and something to gnaw on. After that you can expand with tunnels, toys, herbs and natural materials.

Do rats become tame?

Yes, most rats become very tame. They are curious and quickly learn that your hand means something good. Work every day in short, calm sessions with small rewards. Young rats often get used to you fastest, but an older rat can also become very affectionate with patience.

Do rats smell?

Rats themselves smell very little; they groom themselves thoroughly. Odour mainly comes from urine in the bedding, the hammocks and the nest. With low-dust, highly absorbent bedding, a litter tray and regular cleaning, the enclosure stays fresh.

Are rats suitable for children?

Rats are often calm and happy to be picked up, which makes them lovely pets for older children. An adult does remain responsible for care, health and visits to the vet. Teach children to pick up a rat calmly with a hand under its body and never by the tail.

How long do rats live?

Pet rats usually live two to three years. That is not very long, which is why it is good to make that time as good as possible for them. Older rats often become calmer and less agile. Adapt the enclosure with lower levels, easy ramps and an easily accessible feeding and drinking spot, and keep a closer eye on their weight and breathing.

Do rats need a wheel?

Not every rat uses a wheel, but young, active rats often do. In that case choose a large wheel with a solid running surface, so feet and tails cannot get caught between rungs. For rats, climbing, time out of the cage and enrichment remain more important than a wheel.

Everything for rats at Knaagplaza

At Knaagplaza, the webshop of 't Knaagplein, you will find everything for rats in one place. Zooply is our own premium brand, based on what we see working every day with our own animals. Choose Zooply Rat Food as the foundation, low-dust Zooply bedding and soft Zooply Nesting Material, furnish a tall enclosure with hammocks and climbing routes, and give your rats attention every day. Then you will have clever, cheerful housemates that bring you years of joy.