Choosing your pet rat.
__To ensure your rat lives a long and healthy life, and that you're satisfied with your choice. It's important to choose a healthy, friendly animal. Whether you're getting your rat from a breeder, animal shelter, rescue, pet store or show. Use the guide listed below to help you pick out your perfect companion.
- Check the overall condition of the cage. It should be clean and not overcrowded.
- Check the overall condition of the other rats in the cage. None should be sneezing, have red stained eyes or noses, or have breathing problems. Even if only a few seem ill, that means the healthy-looking ones have been exposed and is not a good idea to take the risk.
- Look at the rats eyes. They should be clear, sparkling not cloudy and dull or red-stained.
- The rat's nose shouldn't have any red colored discharge. That could indicate a respiratory illness.
- If the rat is tailless (genetically or accidentally) make sure it walks normally. It should not shuffle, hop or appear off balance.
- Coat should be shiny and have no hair missing in spots. In hairless and double rex the skin should be smooth not scaly or flaky.
- Run your fingers along the back (from tail to spine) look at the roots of the hair to make sure there are no lice. Lice appear as little red dots and the eggs appear white on the lower back.
- Get a good look at the rats incisors (front gnawing teeth) make sure they are aligned.
- Put your ear to the rats back or stomach to listen for any kind of squeaking, rattling or wheezing as it breathes.
- Feel the entire body for lumps that may indicate a tumor or abscess.
- When you put your hand in the cage look to see if the rat comes up to investigate you or if it runs and hides. Rats that are raised properly should come right up to investigate you.
- The rats' hands, feet and tail should be perfectly formed and working condition.
- Pick the rat up it should not struggle as you do so.
- Hold the rat close to your chest with your arm underneath for support. Does it hide? Does it want back in the cage? Does it look/walk around inquisitively?
- Some babies and young rats "play bite" just like puppies. It is common between 2-5wks. old. If after that age it's still nipping you need to curb the behavior quickly before it gets out of hand. It is better to get a rat that does not nip.