Rats make excellent pets, especially for older children and adults. They're clean, friendly, inquisitive and highly intelligent. They love a bit of problem-solving - and you can even teach them tricks. They bond well with people and rarely bite.

1. By Burgess Pet Care

2. Are you familiar with the following
scenario?
Your young son begs you if he can have a
pet and he swears deep down that he’ll
look after him. You don’t take the
decision lightly...You wait until you
believe he’s old enough to be trusted
with this responsibility.
After doing a lot of research you
discover that a rat sounds like the
perfect pet for your son.
They’re
clean, friendly, inquisitive, highly
intelligent and they sure loves a bit of
problem-solving just like your son!

3. The perfect habitat for a pet rat is a cage made of wire with different
levels connected by tunnels. He tends to sleep during the day but will be
up and ready to play when your son returns from school.
Be aware of the fact that rats hate being cold or too hot so keep the cage
at a constant temperature away from noisy appliances like TV, CD players
and household items.

4. For a perfect comfy bed line the cage floor with paper-based litter and
cover it with shredded paper for bedding. Never use wood shavings or
sawdust or fine litter as the dust may irritate and cause an allergic
reaction.

5. Rats are very clean and good hygiene is vital to their good health. Your
son must clean the cage thoroughly once a week and replace all the lining
and bedding to keep his new pet happy and healthy.

6. During your pets life (usually around two years) you’ll find that he is
personality is inquisitive, active and playful. He will hates being lonely
and bored so playing with him will be as rewarding for you as it is for
your pet.
He will put a smile on your face as soon as you begin to interact with him
because of his friendly and loving nature.
Never underestimate his needs for exercise because he is little, small in
size but big in personality...