Looking for pet rats for sale in Sydney? Birdsville is located at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, servicing the Eastern Suburbs and Inner South West. While our rats aren’t bred on site, they come from trusted breeders across Australia who work with a wide range of bloodlines to produce stronger, healthier animals. Our rats are not inbred, and regularly sourcing new bloodlines gives them real genetic diversity.
We do not breed from any rats that have health issues. With a lifespan averaging 2 to 3 years like all domestic rats, we’re hoping to help reduce some of the common respiratory conditions and cancers found in the breed. More on this is covered in our How to Care for Pet Rats guide.
What You Need to Know
Rats need a minimum enclosure of 60cm x 42cm x 61cm high, ideally with multiple levels, a wheel, hides, tunnels and a salt lick. Their diet should be made up mostly of quality rat pellets, such as Vetafarm Rodent Origins, Selective Rat Pellets or our own Birdsville Rat Mix, supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables in moderation. For the full breakdown of housing, diet and health care, see our How to Care for Pet Rats guide.
Why You Should Get a Rat
Rats are intelligent, social and affectionate pets that bond closely with their owners, and many enjoy learning simple tricks. They’re playful, rarely aggressive when handled well, and make an entertaining, interactive pet for someone after more than just something to look at.
Why a Rat Might Not Be Right For You
Rats have a short lifespan of around 2 to 3 years, which can be tough for younger owners. They’re highly social and do best in pairs or small groups, so a single rat left alone for long periods can become bored or lonely. Nearly all domestic rats also carry a bacteria that can cause occasional respiratory symptoms, which is worth knowing before you commit.
Fancy Rat Varieties We Have For Sale
Our fancy rats come in a range of coat and body types. Some of the varieties we work with include:
Standard, the classic rat with a short, smooth, glossy coat.
Rex, which has an evenly curled coat and curly whiskers.
Tailless, sometimes called Manx-style, with a very short or completely absent tail.
Hairless, with little to no fur and soft, wrinkle-free skin, these rats need extra warmth and care.
Satin, known for a lustrous, almost sparkling coat.
Bristle Coat, with a harsh, rough-textured coat similar to a wire brush.
Since fancy varieties depend on what our breeders currently have available, come in store or get in touch to find out what we currently have on hand.
One or Two Rats
Sexing & Refund Policy
Please be aware these animals are not DNA sexed. While we may give an opinion on sex, this is not a guarantee, as young rats can be hard to sex. No refund, credit or exchange will be given if an animal is not your desired sex. On the positive note we rarely get it wrong as we are good at what we do but the rare mistakes can happen.
Availability
We almost always have rats in stock in a range of colours and coat types and both males and females. Our baby rats for sale arrive regularly in store visit us in store or give us a ring for any updates.
Package Deals & In-Store Help
Come talk to our team about setting your rat up right from day one. We can help put together a full package covering enclosure, substrate, food, toys, salt lick and parasite treatments, so you’re not guessing what you need. Our products are already competitively priced, but buying your rat and setup together brings even bigger savings, so it’s genuinely worth doing. See our staff in store for current package deals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy pet rats in Sydney?
Birdsville, at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015, sources quality pet rats from trusted breeders and services the Eastern Suburbs and Inner South West. We almost always have rats in stock in a range of colours and coat types.
What types of rats does Birdsville have for sale?
We work with breeders offering a range of fancy rat varieties including Standard, Rex, Tailless, Hairless, Satin and Bristle Coat. Availability depends on what our breeders currently have, so it’s worth calling ahead if you’re after a specific type.
How big of an enclosure do pet rats need?
The minimum enclosure size we recommend is 60cm x 42cm x 61cm high, ideally with multiple levels, a wheel, hides, tunnels and a salt lick. Full setup advice is available in store. We Sell a huge range of enclosures, from large rat mansions to so smaller sizes.
Can I keep just one pet rat, or do I need two?
Rats are highly social and do best in pairs or small groups. Keeping two is barely more work than keeping one, and they’ll keep each other entertained, so we generally recommend getting at least two.
Does Birdsville offer package deals for new rat owners?
Yes. Our team can help put together a full setup package covering enclosure, substrate, food, toys, salt lick and parasite treatments. Buying your rat and setup together brings bigger savings than buying everything separately.
Visit Us
Come see us in store at 684 Botany Road, Alexandria NSW 2015 to meet our rats and get everything set up for your new pet.
That’s both rat pages done. Let me know if you want the vet list fix carried over to the Mice page now too, or want to leave that for later.
bird exotics has shut down and unusual pet vets taken its place

