Handling: You will need to handle your rat regularly, but remember it is only a baby now and will need plenty of time to eat and rest. Handling your rat gently and regularly will ensure it bonds to you quickly and will love cuddles and face massages. Giving it a treat while you have a cuddle will ensure it really enjoys your company. See our website, Facebook and Insta for more
Teeth Health: Rats’ teeth grow constantly throughout their lives, and if they are not fed an appropriate diet and given things to chew on, teeth will over grow. Teeth can dig into the sides of their face and make them unable to chew normally. Without proper attention, overgrown teeth can cause serious trauma, anorexia, infections, pain, and even death from the inability to chew and swallow. To avoid these problems, always have a wooden toy for them to chew on in their space.
Worming and Mite Spray: Rats are susceptible to worms as they naturally explore new objects with their mouths. Worming within the first two weeks of being home, and every 3 months thereafter should prevent infection. Spraying your rat with mite and lice spray every six weeks is important as pests are very easily transmitted, even if you do not have other pets. While rare, they can contract fleas, if this does occur the safest method is to use a flea shampoo or powder and do a complete wash of their cage and bedding.
Diet: A proper diet is essential for your rat’s long-term health and wellbeing. Rats are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal material, and they generally love food and will happily eat almost anything offered to them. However, just because they will eat it does not mean it is good for them. A high-quality rat pellet or balanced mix should make up around 90–95% of your rat’s diet, with the remaining 5–10% consisting of healthy treats, fruits and vegetables.
At Birdsville, we recommend and stock premium options such as Vetafarm Rodent Origins, Selective Rat Pellets and our Birdsville Rat Mix. These quality diets are formulated by expert nutritionists and veterinarians and contain balanced vitamins, minerals and amino acids to support long-term health and vitality. They are extrusion cooked for improved digestibility and palatability. One of our most popular options is our in-store blend, prepared with rat pellets combined with vegetables, legumes, grains, meat biscuits and fruit to provide variety and enrichment.
We recommend avoiding supermarket or low-quality commercial rat foods, as these often contain fillers, artificial additives, preservatives and waste products. Some mixes may include whole corn that can develop mould, hard-to-digest alfalfa pellets, or excessive seeds with limited nutritional value. If you decide to use a lower-quality food, we suggest supplementing your rat’s water with Small Animal Vitamins to help ensure they receive essential nutrients.
The additional portion of your rat’s diet can include a variety of fresh foods offered in moderation. Suitable fruits include apple, pear, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon and apricot. Healthy vegetables include pumpkin, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, sweet potato, cucumber, spinach, romaine lettuce and squash. Rats also benefit from occasional whole protein sources such as cooked chicken (including soft bones), beef, tuna, salmon, eggs and small amounts of liver. Other occasional treats may include plain cooked rice or pasta, oatmeal, rice cakes, small pieces of cheese, dog biscuits, plain baby food and a small amount of soya milk. While rats enjoy treats just like we do, sugary and fatty foods should always be limited and fed in moderation.
There are also certain foods that should be avoided. Do not feed excessive amounts of cheese or peanut butter, as peanut butter can pose a choking risk. Avoid dried corn, iceberg lettuce due to its low nutritional value, orange juice or peel, blue cheese dressing, licorice, rhubarb, raw banana, potato skins, green or unripe potatoes, poppy seeds, and processed “junk” foods such as chips and fast food. Red cabbage and artichokes can cause gas and should also be avoided. Chocolate should only ever be given in extremely small amounts, if at all.
Providing a balanced staple diet, fresh water daily and healthy fresh food in moderation will help ensure your pet rat lives a long, happy and healthy life. If you are ever unsure about a particular food, our Birdsville team is always happy to assist.
Hygiene: Because rats live in such close contact with their litter and bedding these must be kept clean and free from toxins. Cleaning your rat’s cage regularly, with the right cage cleaner, is essential to avoiding unnecessary health problems. Ammonia in the fumes of urine causes irritation in the nasal passage, which makes them more susceptible to infection. If your cage gets stinky you have left it too long. Hemp and Kaytee is our most popular rat bedding we stock.
Toys: Rats are very clever and playful creatures. They will need a large variety of toys to keep them stimulated and free of boredom. They particularly enjoy things to climb inside of i.e. tubes, tunnels, boxes etc. they also enjoy balls and soft toys to chew or pull apart. Be sure to always keep their toys clean and replace any broken ones.
Enclosures: Pet rats grow much larger than many people expect, so choosing the right enclosure is essential. They need plenty of space to move, climb and explore, as well as room for enrichment items such as toys, a food bowl, water bottle, salt lick, hammocks, tunnels and cosy sleeping areas. A well-set-up cage keeps your rat active, stimulated and happy. We have a huge selection of different rat and mouse enclosures in store on our upstairs level.
At Birdsville, we stock a wide range of enclosures in different styles and sizes to suit both rats and mice. We also offer great value specials when you purchase your rat together with a complete setup, making it easy to get everything you need in one go.
When selecting a cage, always consider the bar spacing. Baby rats and mice can squeeze through the gaps in some larger wire cages that are designed for adults. If you’re unsure which enclosure is suitable, our team can help you choose the right option, and you’re welcome to test the bar spacing in store to ensure it’s safe and secure for your new pet.
Please Note: Please be aware these animals are not DNA sexed. Whilst we may give an opinion on sex, this is not a guarantee, as young rats can be hard to sex. No refund, credit or exchanges will be given if an animal is not your desired sex.
Boarding is available throughout the year, please visit Petsville Hotel to book your stay. Come see us in store if you have any concerns, or questions and feel free to bring your rat for us to see!
Recommended Vets
| Southern Cross0 2 9516 0234 St Peters | SASH 02 8913 400 Alexandria | SERV 02 9436 4884 Artarmon | The Wild Vet 1300 9453 838 Glebe | Carlingford Animal Hospital 02 9871 6036 Carlingford |
Fruits & Veggie Guide
Examples, not limited to:
| Fruits– Banana, Apple (no seeds), Blueberries, Strawberries, Rockmelon, Grapes, Pear, Papaya, Raspberry and Mango Vegetables –Broccoli, Carrots, Peas, Kale, Zucchini, Sweet potato, Capsicum, Bok Choy, Spinach and Green beans Poultry and meat are also fine in moderation e.g., chicken, beef, fish and eggs. | Don’t’s Avocado, Garlic, Onion, Rhubarb, Grapes, Raisins, Coffee and Alcohol |
