Rules can still vary by city, county or species. Check your state before buying.
Laws change. Verify with your state wildlife agency before purchasing.
Check your state's rules →Housing and enclosure setup
A tall wire cage with at least 2 cubic feet per rat, half-inch bar spacing, solid shelves, hammocks and ropes for climbing.
Use paper or aspen bedding and clean often; ammonia build-up harms their lungs.
Diet
A lab block as the staple, plus daily fresh vegetables and small portions of cooked grains, egg or lean protein.
Keep fat and sugar low. Avoid citrus for males (linked to kidney problems), raw beans, raw sweet potato and chocolate.
Health basics
Respiratory infections (sneezing, rattly breathing, red porphyrin around eyes) and tumours are the big two. Find a vet before you need one.
Lifespan
Typically 2-3 years.
Beginner tips
Always keep at least two same-sex rats. Offer an hour of supervised free-roam daily — they learn names and tricks quickly.
General guidance only. Nothing here replaces an exotics or avian vet who knows your animal.
Track it instead of guessing
Log weights, feedings, health events and care reminders for free in the keeper tools.
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