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FUN FACTS
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  • Rats have a good memory.
  • Rats are social animals.
  • a Fancy rat is just a domesticated brown rat, Rattus Norvegicus.
  • There is a monument to rats and mice in russia.
  • There is a rat temple in India
  • Rats are very clean and really hate getting dirty.
  • Rats are color-blind and have a poor eyesight.
  • Rats are excellent climbers, jumpers, and swimmers.
  • Rats have sharp teeth.
  • Rats have an incredible tail function.
  • Rats can control their bladder
  • A rat's sense of smell is incredible
  • Rats can't throw up.
  • Rats laugh - but we can't hear it.
  • Rats can be trained (there is even a rat-olympics)
A RAT's DIET
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Rats are omnivores, meaning they are healthiest when they eat a combination of fruits, veggies, and meats.

So, the best rat diet consists of mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, plus a small portion of rat pellets or rat cube food daily. Make sure the rat pellets have at least 16 percent protein content and 4-5 percent fat content for a balanced rat diet. A rat's favorite fruits and vegetables include:

  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Pears
  • Citrus fruits
  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli
  • Parsley
  • Berries
  • Peas
  • Carrots
  • Melons
  • Stone fruits 
RAT TREATS
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Like all pets, rats love treats. Rats are smart and can be very food motivated so you may even be able to train your pet rat to do tricks or tasks by motivating them with a treat. Some of a rat's favorite treats include:

  • Seeds
  • Sweets
  • Bread
  • Cooked pasta
  • Cooked rice
  • Cereal
  • Grains 
  • Mealworms

These foods have lots of carbs and some have lots of sugar, so they should only be given to rats as a treat.

OBESITY IN RATS
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Rats are one of the most common pets to be obese. They love eating anything they can get their paws on. Rats that live in cages are particularly prone to getting overweight. Obesity in rats can lead to similar health problems as in other animals and humans. However, due to their small size, the most pressing problem is the development of large fat deposits under the skin called lipomas that can grow large enough to inhibit movement.

The good news is that rats love to be active, so making them solve puzzles to get their food, putting them in multi-level cages, or letting them out to run around when and where it is safe to do so are all ways to keep your rat's weight under control. 

Also, make sure to give them "treat" types of foods only occasionally, and feed them the proper amount of other foods for their size.

TUMOURS
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Tumors are relatively common in pet rats, and they can contribute to rats' relatively short lifespans. These growths, which can be malignant or benign, can occur in various places on a rat's body. Some cause pain or impede rats' daily activities. Because these animals are beloved by their owners for their friendliness and intelligence, early detection and treatment of tumors are critical. Treatment, primarily surgery, may help keep a rat more comfortable or extend its life.

Tumors can develop on the skin of a rat where they are visible or internally where they may go unnoticed for some time. Some common types of tumors in rats include:

  • Mammary tumors
  • Lipomas
  • Cysts
  • Brain tumors
COMPANIONSHIP
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  • Rats are social animals and often run in packs.While it's true that a single pet rat can often live a healthy life and won't exactly pine for another rodent, it's been shown that rats with a playmate or two are happier animals.
  • A rat will be just as close to you if it has a friend. Some owners are under the impression that if a second rat is brought into the mix, the original rat will lose its connection with the owner. To put it bluntly, this is ridiculous. Rats have enough love for everyone. In fact, when more than one rat's around, they'll often compete for your affection in a gentle way.
  • Rats love to play together. A constant opportunity to interact with another of their species will keep your pet rats happy, invigorated and more loving. 
  • A single rat may develop behavioral problems. Over time, this could manifest itself in a number of ways, such as the rat no longer wanting affection or, inversely, becoming clingy with you.
SIGNS OF TROUBLE
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Although rats can’t talk to you about feeling ill, their behavior and appearance give clues. Lethargy, failure to eat, red staining around the eyes and nose, sneezing, wheezing, hunched posture, change in behavior, drinking a lot more or a lot less, unkempt fur, unusual discharge from the body, weight loss, strange vocalizations, a strange walk (lame, staggered), a constantly tilted head — all of these are signs of possible rat illness or injury.

Basically, be aware of anything abnormal. If it’s normal for your rat to be energetic and bounce around but suddenly he or she just walks, or if your rat is usually very calm and laid-back but suddenly he or she seems anxious and tense, these are signs to discuss with a rat-savvy veterinarian.