FOOD.. YUMMY YUMMY

Rats can eat almost anything. Yes.. Almost. Rats are omnivores. Hence there is no fix rat diet which you need to follow strictly as long as they can get all the nutrient they need. Keepers from the overseas give their rats food which is specially made for rat because they are easily obtainable in pet stores there. Lab blocks or commercially prepared block-type food contains all basic nutrients that a rat need in its diet. However, according to ratsrule.com, commercial rat diets are full of ingredients that are either inappropriate for rats or simply aren't liked by rats. So unless you have access to high quality lab block, such as Harian Teklad, it is not advisable to use commercial rat food. Whereas, rat keepers here in Malaysia would create their own mix for their rats' staple diet. Rats need a mainly vegetarian diet with some animal protein. An example of a rat's diet will be mixture of fruits, vegetables, oat, sunflower seeds, spaghetti, wholemeal bread, cooked chicken bones, eggs and baby biscuits. It is not advisable to feed hamster mix to rats. 'Most mixes contain tiny seeds and alfalfa pellets that do not get eaten. Rats have a hard time digesting alfalfa, so they rarely eat it. Peanuts and other nuts, while enjoyed by rats and fine as treats, contain too much fat and protein to be a staple part of a rat diet. Finally, dried corn can not only contain fungus, but also creates nitrosamines in the stomach, which can lead to cancer' (ratrule.com). It is best that the food given do not contain preservative and colouring, and the food is low in salt and sugar. (carefully examine the ingredient used in the kibbles as well). These substance will cause dehydration, hair loss, diarrhea or many other complication to your rats. Bear in mind that male rats cannot tolerate high protein level as female rats. Ensure that there is a constants supply of clean, fresh drinking water. For treats, owner may consider using baby food, yogurt, fruit salad, steam corn, yogurt, cooked rice or pasta, biscuit, cheese, etc.. because rats basically like them as much as we do. A minimum amount of chocolate chips can be given. Rat, unlike cats and dogs, is one of the few animals that can take chocolate. Bare in mind, food that is healthy for humans is healthy for rats. Avoid food that will cause gas because rats are unable to pass gas for the rest of their lives. So gassy food such as potato chips and carbonated drinks might give them stomach ache instead.

Suebee's rat diet is one of the most recommended rat staple diet as it contents correct amount nutrients a rat needs (closest to lab block). Here's the recipe

1. 400 g dry rolled oats

2. 150 g puffed wheat cereal

3. 180 g puffed rice cereal

4. 340 g children vitamin/ mineral tablet, or small animal vitamin

5. 140 g roasted, unsalted soy nuts

6. 230 g dried fruits

7. 230 g dry pasta

8. 2/3 cup sunflower seeds

9. 120 g sugar-free muesli (optional)

YOUR RATS' COMFY HOME

Both wire cage and aquarium can be made as houses for rats, but one must know the advantages and disadvantages both of these houses before using them. The choice must be suitable for both pets and owners.

An aquarium will protect the rats from drafts, but has poor air circulation which makes it warmer and more humid than a wire cage. An aquarium is also more difficult than a wire cage to decorate and to provide levels for climbing. A 20-gallon tnak (75.7 liter) will house one or two females or males and would need to be cleaned twice a week since the rats are living in their litter, unlike in a wire cage where they can climb up onto shelves. Tanks make it difficult for the owner to interact with their pets. Rats housed in aquariums need daily out time to provide necessary exercise (RMCA Resource, 2002). Aquarium can however avoid bedding from falling out of the rats' house which some owner might find it a hassle. Plastic tanks are lighter in weight and can make perfect travel carrier for rats. 

However, wire cages give good air circulation to the rats and provide surfaces for the rats to climb. Wire cages encourage more interactions to the owner. Wire cages also allow decorations such as hammock, sleeping pouch, ramps, levels and climbing ropes which encourage the rats to move and play around. Wire cages should be powder coated, not galvanized, as galvanized wire will corrode in time as rat urine burns it away. The cage floor should be solid, not wire, and shelves should be solid (RMCA Resources, 2002). Wire flooring is often the cause rats' foot or leg fracture and sprained. 

Whichever house a owner choose to give to a rat, be sure that there are plenty of rooms for the rat to grow and move around, especially when one is getting a baby rat. Cages for hamsters are not suitable for rats because the size of the cages are not big enough for a full grown rat to live healthily and happily. Cages which are too small will cause stress to the rats living in them and some might even turn out to be smaller in size. Make use of the rat cage size calculators available online to estimate the cage that you should buy, or you can calculate the size of your rat cage by using the formula stated at the end of this post. Big bid cages and sugar gliders cages are some of the options for rat cages in Malaysia because there are not much cages catering for rats here. But be sure that the floor is not wired floor. Write down your budget and the size of the cage that you are looking for, bring a measuring tape and visit a reputable pet shop to pick the cage of your choice. 

Wooden cages or wooden levels are unacceptable for rats as their urine will soak the wood, causing ammonia build up, which can lead to or exacerbate respiratory disease (RMCA Resources, 2002). Rats are able to chew through wooden products as well, hence wooden cages allow them to escape. 

RAT CAGE FORMULA (in inches)

WITHOUT LEVELS: Height x Length x Width = Cage volume (cubic inches)

WITH LEVELS: Height x [(Length + Levels' length) x (Width + Levels' width)] = Cage volume (cubic inches)

Divide cage volume with 3456 = Number of rats that can live comfortably in the cage

1 inch is about 2.5 cm

If there are levels in the cage, the width and length of the levels should be taken into calculations as well