The Reality of Owning Rats
Owning rats can be an exceptionally fulfilling, enjoyable experience. However, they are not for everyone, especially when considering the upkeep and requirements necessary to be a good rat owner. Below are some of the realities of what it’s like to own rats.
Financial Costs
While rats themselves may not be initially expensive to cover adoption prices, the cost of upkeep and care can easily turn a $15 rat into a $1500 rat overnight.
Initial investments can average between ~200 and 500 USD for a standard setup with a proper cage, food, enrichment for 3-5 rats.
This includes:
-
Cage
-
Hammocks
-
Ropes
-
Chew Toys
-
Food
-
Hides
-
Exotic Pet Insurance Policy (Optional)
Time
Caring for rats can be time consuming if not factored into your daily routine. Below are average estimates of time spent providing care in respect to the frequency of the activity. These events can vary in anything between a couple of minutes, to several days.
Daily
0.5
hours
-
Feeding (1x/day)
-
Fresh water (1x/day)
-
Spot cleaning (i.e. litterbox cleaning, removal of dirty hammocks)
Weekly
2-3
hours
-
Weekly cage clean with bedding and hammock swaps
-
Water bottle cleaning
-
Weighing of rats
-
Laundry
-
Rat-safe free roam
Monthly
6-8
hours
-
Full deep cage clean, including hides and litterboxes
-
Laundry
-
Replacement of chew toys
-
Air purifier/dehumidifier cleanout
Surprises
24+
hours
-
Daily medication administration
-
Hospital cage maintenance
-
Emergency veterinary visits
-
Unexpected messes in the cage or in playpen
Lifespan & Coping with Loss
Rats, unfortunately, live on average between 2 to 2.5 years, 3 at maximum. This means that our time on earth with them is rather limited. Over the years I have learned to handle the loss of my beloved pet rats, but at times it can still be difficult losing them. One thing that helps me remind to be kind to myself is something that a friend of mine told me many years ago. I do not believe in reincarnation, but I love thinking about a rat's life like this:
If you are struggling with the loss of a pet, it can be important to take time to cope with it in a healthy way. Here are some resources that can assist through the grieving process:
1. Talking with a trusted family member or friend
2. Journaling to process feelings and emotions
3. Letting yourself grieve. Everyone grieves differently, and as long as it is not harming you or others, then it is completely fine
4. Take time to care for yourself. Give yourself grace and understand that grief is not a linear process
5. Get in touch with a pet bereavement charity to speak to someone who understands how you may be feeling
If you are finding yourself in an unsafe headspace or simply not handling the death well, please seek mental health counselling, therapy, or medical support. You are not alone in this. Remind yourself that death is a natural part of life, and your rat passing is not directly your fault. Your rat passed knowing they were loved by you. And remember, you may not spend our whole life with them, but they spend their whole lives with you.
Imagine all living beings as vessels for souls. We each have our own soul, and that means that rats have their own souls. Each time a vessel passes, the soul must find a new vessel to take its place. Rats live such a short time as they are simply vacations for souls. They spend a few years relaxing, recuperating from their difficult past lives, eating good food, spending time snuggled up in the cage, loved and adored by their owner (you). When the soul feels properly recharged, the rat passes and the soul goes on to continue a new life thanks to you.
Things to Consider Before Getting Rats
If you are unable to answer any of these questions, then rats are not an ideal pet for you at this time.
1. Will I be able to afford the initial costs of adopting rats, as well as covering the maintenance costs such as food and veterinary care?
Initial costs can be a bit of an investment, as well as the maintenance fees. Ensure you are able to factor these costs into your monthly budget for your household.
2. Will I be able to have reliable transport to get to a veterinary office in the event of an emergency, for routine appointments, etc? If so, how will I be getting to the vet?
Relying on a random friend or an Uber for transport is NOT considered a reliable source of transport. You need to be able to rely on your own vehicle/physically driving to the veterinary office, public transport (bus, train, etc), or bicycle/walking if you are within walking/cycling distance.
3. Do I have a reliable source of income and a backup plan in case the source falls through?
This includes a way to cover emergency care costs, as veterinary bills are usually unable to be paid in installments. Consider applying for CareCredit if you are in the United States, or create a specific savings pot for rat costs. Budget appropriately to factor in everyday costs such as food and litter as well.
4. Do I have a place to safely house the rats in my place of residence that is away from harms?
This includes hazards such as other pets, cleaning chemicals, wires, essential oil diffusers, perfume, and other aerosols.
5. Do I have a plan in place that allows the rats to be safely relocated in the event of an emergency?
This can be a family or friend's place, a shelter the accepts exotics, or a foster home.
6. Can I handle the death or the loss of my pet rat(s) in a healthy way?
Rats have a short lifespan and have the unfortunate potential to pass away unexpectedly. While it is normal to be upset and sad following the passing of your rat, if it disables your ability to go about day-to-day functioning for an extended period of time, then a pet who lives longer may be a better option for you.
7. Am I physically and mentally able to provide consistent upkeep with cage cleaning, feeding schedules, and healthcare monitoring?
If I am unable to physically and/or mentally provide cage cleaning at any point in time, do I have support that can help me clean the cage, feed the rats, etc? Support can be from parents, friends, roommates, caregivers, etc
8. Do I have an ethical source to acquire my rats from?
This means a reputable breeder! Here is a helpful guideline for choosing a fancy rat breeder:
9. Do I have access to veterinarians who specialise in rodents, especially for emergencies?
Veterinary practices that see rats are variable by distance and frequency depending on your geographical location. Emergency vets can be even more scarce for those that are comfortable and experienced with rodents.
10. Will other people be impacted by my decision to adopt rats?
If you live with roommates, are they comfortable with the idea of rats in the house? Are there any concerns they may have? If you live with your parents, do your parents understand the importance of costs, veterinary costs, etc?
If you are under 18, your parents MUST agree to take your rats to the vet and cover payment, as minors are unable to be classified as the legal owner when seeking veterinary care. Having to convince your parents for pet rats is a sign that it may be best to wait until you're an adult.
If you are renting, you MUST have permission from your landlord or rental agency otherwise you may risk being told to suddenly give up your rats.