The rat is a cute rodent that has been spreading more and more as a pet in Italy in the last decade thanks to its exceptional qualities, following the trend of Anglo-Saxon countries that have been raising it since the nineteenth century as pet, and where it enjoys a lot of consideration: there, in fact, the breeding specimens also have the pedigree and participate in beauty shows, just like purebred dogs and cats! Many varieties are known which include different colors, shape of the ears, type of hair…. A friend for all tastes!
How they behave?
Rats are basically rodents Night and gregarious in nature, they love to be in company and for this reason they must be kept almeno in two! I'm onnivorously, it's a lot greedy, for this reason they must eat healthy, or they can face obesity.
They have a very concentrated life, long at most 3 years, but they live it to the maximum!
They are very docile rodents, hardly bite, and can be handled even by the smallest, given the size not too small, in fact they reach about 20 cm in length (excluding tail) for an average weight of 350 grams. I'm Intelligent e clean, they groom their hair like cats, and can learn to get dirty in the litter, despite the prejudices they are victims of!
It is not recommended to keep specimens of the opposite sex together, as they are already fertile from very young and very prolific, in a couple of months they would multiply tenfold! Rats of the same sex - if they have grown up together - hardly argue, but the subsequent introduction of a foreign specimen must be done carefully and in neutral territory.
Can the rat really get used to man and live in the house?
Rats are animals very sociable and attracted to man, with whom they often establish strong emotional ties, provided they are treated with delicacy and respect. They can learn small exercises with food prizes, come to the lure and play with the owner. Exploration is their favorite activity, and to satisfy this need it is good to guarantee it at least an hour a day of freedom from the cage in a room free of dangers, also an opportunity for interactions and games with the owner.
Do you need a lot of care?
Like all animals, rats also need a vet, but there is one for them veterinarian specialist in exotic animals, expert in the care of these animals! It is also possible to sterilize them to prevent tumor-type pathologies. They do not require vaccinations and do not transmit terrible diseases to humans, but a check up is recommended twice a year, being delicate animals.
Let's find out something about Rat Rescue Italia
Council Rescue Italia is a non profit association born in 2013, which deals with save abandoned rats and to relocate them to the right families. The Association also deals with spreading the correct rat culture as a pet, given its growing diffusion in Italy. Rat Rescue Italia is founded by volunteers, who with passion and dedication look after all these needy animals at their homes.
To learn more, visit the website https://ratrescueitalia.com/
Arianna Silvestro, student of Veterinary Medicine, founding volunteer Rat Rescue Italy
Photo: Arianna Silvestro, Rat Rescue Italy
