We all worry about how much time we are spending with our pets, but does a busy lifestyle really mean we cannot own a pet? We think not! Many people have only a few hours a day spare, but this is all you need for keeping these cuddly critters.
Contrary to what many might think, taking care of a rat is not as hard as it seems.
We wish it was longer, but rats have a life span of up to three years.
This means owning this pet is not a lifetime commitment.
Not only this, rats are hardy and tough, they do not need to be pampered.
With these hints and tips you will gain the knowledge to become a great rat owner in the precious time you have to spend with them.
Feeding: Buying rat kibble from your local supermarket may be cheap and easy, but your rats could be getting much more vitamins for the same cost.
Creating your own mix of rat food will save you time and money, as well as giving your rat a varied diet.
Doing this may even prolong your rat's lifespan, and promote a healthy coat! Use this recipe below as a base for your own time-saving creations: Dried fruit flakes Bran flakes Pumpkin seeds Bread sticks If you have more than just a few hours spare then making a wet food mix every other day will befit your rat considerably.
Usually wet mixes contain even more vitamins and minerals vital to your rats' diet.
Use this mix below for some initial ideas, changing ingredients to suit your own cupboard: Kale Low protein cat food (for younger rats only) Peas Cooked beans Cleaning: One of the main issues pet owners have with rodents is their smell.
Male rats tend to scent mark which will leave their cage smelling considerably musky.
The only way to counteract this is by regular cleaning.
With a busy lifestyle this may not be as easy as you once though.
Generally you will need to clean out the cage every few days, not only for your benefit, but for your rats' too.
There are, however ways to prevent the smell building up.
One way is to buy products that will reduce the smell.
Cage granules will absorb bad odours and soak up any liquid around them.
Another way is to keep the room the cage is in aired and clean.
Rats scratch themselves as part of their daily cleaning routine and their skin will float into the air, just like humans.
If you spend a lot of time in the same room you will need to hoover and air out the room regularly.
Play time: Worried about how much time you are spending with your rat? Don't.
Rats are social creatures, but as long as they have another rat's company they can entertain themselves.
Rats live in colonies in the wild, they naturally need company.
A little friend would take some of the pressure away from you.
To keep your rats active in their cage, buy or make toys for them to play with.
Simple things such as pieces of fabric tied together with treats inside will keep your rats busy, stimulating them and keeping them active.
If you are low on money, cardboard tubes or old cereal boxes will keep them entertained for hours.
Hiding tasty treats around their cage is also great for enrichment.
As rats get older they will become less active.
At a younger age you may need to spend longer playing with your rat, but later in life they will enjoy sitting on your lap while you watch TV.
All of this said, a pet rat needs attention and love.
Give it all this and your rat will be sure to repay you with its very own kind of love.
This could include chattering their teeth, or snuggling up to you as you play.
Always read up on a pet you may want to own before purchasing one.
If you do not have the time or commitment to own an animal then you should never buy one.
Rats are small but they still need a good home.
These creatures are smart, friendly, and adorable.
One thing we can say is that once you go rat, you will never go back! Most wanted Cage Fresh Granules Cage Fresh Granules are critter friendly microbes that neutralise the typical rodent smell from any cage.
Just sprinkle on new bedding, or a freshly cleaned cage and let the granules work.
This will not only leave your house smelling fresh, but it will remove bad toxins from the cage that will harm your rat.
The granules are small enough so your rat will not attempt to eat them, and come in a large container.