Brian Starr

How to

Care for a Dumbo Rat

Dumbo rats are known for their cute, low-slung, floppy ears that resemble those of the beloved Disney cartoon elephant. In reality, they are not a separate breed of rat—their appearance is simply the result of a mutati...

How to

Care for a Young Rat

Rats are lively and intelligent creatures that can grow into great pets with the proper care and handling. At birth, baby rats, also called “kittens,” are only about long and are hairless, blind and deaf. They need ...

How to

Sex a Rat from Birth

If your female rat has just given birth to a litter, it can be heartwarming to see her with all of her little babies (‘kittens’). Although they’ll all be pink and hairless the first few days after they’re born, ...

How to

Shoulder Train a Pet Rat

Having a pet rat can be a rewarding experience, as rats are intelligent and affectionate creatures. You might be surprised to learn that you can train a rat to do all sorts of impressive things. Among the best party tric...

How to

Care for a Pet Rat

Rats have been called "low maintenance dogs" because of their appealing blend of intelligence and loyalty. While no pet can really be considered "low maintenance," rats are certainly much easier to care for. A well-socia...

How to

Feed a Pet Rat

Rats make amazing pets, but what are you supposed to feed them? To give your pet the energy to play, you'll want to keep fruit, veggies, and protein on the menu. We're going to teach you everything you need to know. Read...

How to

Tame a Rat

In order to turn a skittish rat into a loving pet you need to gradually make it comfortable with you. This process should begin by allowing it to get used to its home and building up trust with the animal. Using treats a...

How to

Breed Rats

Rats will breed and produce many offspring if left to their own devices, but it is better to breed rats in a controlled way to prevent a rat population explosion. If you are committed to starting a responsible breeding p...

How to

Choose Between a Pet Mouse or Pet Rat

Mice and rats are both low maintenance, cute pets. However, they do have different needs and personalities. Choose a rat if you’re looking for a more social, active and clean pet. If you’re on a budget and want a pet...

How to

Bathe Your Pet Rat

Rats are very clean animals and usually do not require a bath at all, and even if they do get dirty most times a sponge bath or quick wipe off is all that is needed.. 18 March 2021. However, from time to time you may nee...

How to

Get Rid of Fleas on Rats

Fleas are not commonly found in rats, but they can be transmitted to your pet rat from cats and dogs, or from other wild rodents. For any flea infested animal, persistent flea treatment and maintenance is the key to ensu...

How to

Build a Safe Playground for Your Pet Rats

Rats need a lot of exercise and space to roam. Unlike small rodents like mice and hamsters, they can't spend most of their life in a cage. Some owners let their rats run freely in the home, but if your home hasn't been r...

How to

Introduce a New Pet Rat to Another Rat

Rats are very social creatures, so if you keep one as a pet, it will probably enjoy living with another rat. However, if 2 rats were not raised together from a young age, they may fight and be territorial with each other...

How to

Treat Diarrhea in Rats

If your pet rat is experiencing diarrhea, your first move should be to look for any related symptoms. If nothing else seems wrong, your rat might just need to stick to a bland diet. However, symptoms like blood in the st...

How to

Get Rid of Tropical Rat Mites on Pet Rats

If you've seen little bugs crawling around on your pet rats and a veterinarian has confirmed that they're tropical rat mites (''Ornithonyssus bacoti'') versus lice or other kinds of mites, you're going to have to follow ...