When you bring new rats home for the first time it can be rather stressful for both of you. You may feel a bit awkward, nervous and wondering what to do first. This could easily be felt by your new rats too. They might even feel exactly the same way as you do.

I am sure that you have a nice comfy cage ready, waiting for them along with food, (lab blocks) fresh water, possibly a nice big wheel, dangling toys and most of all a nice cozy soft bed that they can go into. Like most travelers arriving at unfamiliar surroundings they will probably be thirsty, hungry and tired so they will need to  get some rest after their big day. Everyone will need to adjust a little so a quiet observation of your new pals is not a bad idea. Give them time to explore, rest and feel comfortable in their new surroundings. You can enjoy watching them explore their new home. An empty Kleenex box and a few paper towels will draw their curiosity and probably meet with their approval. Never ever use cedar or pine bedding. Aspen, Yesterdays news, Corncob, Carefresh, PWI Pro-chips (my favourite) a soft maple hardwood extremely absorbent and used in labs are fine and safe for your pet rats.

If they are already well handled and come running to you right away that is excellent so go ahead and pick them up and hold them snuggled against your body so they feel secure and talk to them gently and welcome them to their new home.

I say rats here because it is always best to get a same sex pair unless you want to be surprised with a lot of babies. Rats need  one of their own kind to cuddle up to, groom and play with when you are not there. They are also nocturnal so when you are asleep they have a companion to keep them company.

Everything will be  a new experience for them at your home, unfamiliar surroundings, noises, scents as well as getting to know you too. They need to learn that you are their friend and they can trust you. You will be the person that feeds them so let them slowly smell your hand or hold a treat and offer it to them until they get use to you. They will soon learn to bond with you. Before you know it they will be eager and come running  to you when you approach their cage. They will totally depend on you for affection, play time, cleanliness, proper care and everything that will ever happen to them in their short life span.

Over the years I have found that rats prefer their beds up high. They like things like a vegetable strainer with soft bedding in it or a hammock strung up near the top of the cage to sleep in.  I prefer this too as it keeps them away from any possible odor of soiled litter at the bottom of the cage. Another reason I like this idea is because I don’t like my rats hiding away from me while I am socializing them. I want them out-going and not shy and running away to hide.

 I don’t believe in waiting too long after they are settled in, to pick them up. It will not take  long for them to figure out you are their friend and you are not going to hurt them. I find it hard to resist picking them up right away so  I start coaxing them out with treats like cheerios, corn bran cereal, grapes,  pop corn or maybe some pieces of arrowroot baby cookies.

Rats have an excellent sense of taste, extremely good hearing but poor eyesight and some will sit and sway back and forth just straining to see something. They can also laugh at a pitch higher than our ears can hear. Rats also do not show their pain very well and even a rat that may be suffering will still eat so if your rat appears ill please take it to a vet before anything more serious develops. They are prone to respiratory problems, If you hold your rat up to your ear and hear any wheezing, rattling in it's chest, hair standing up looking ruffled, a reddish discharge around it's nose or eyes your rat may need an antibiotic from your vet.

When a rat wakes up don’t forget to give it a little time so it can go potty before taking him out of his cage. Sometimes a new rat will fear poop at first but will stop when it feels safe with you. Some male rats may even dribble a bit to mark you by putting their scent on you there by making you their territory. Rats also have their pecking order just like dogs and have to establish who is top dog (um rat) when any new rat is introduced into their territory.

Baby rats are completely independent after 3 ½ to 4 weeks old. They should get lots of high energy foods till they are about 13 weeks old. Then you can switch to a maintenance program. Rats need their play time and  visit with you for at least an hour a day or when ever you can manage it. You can even take them on outings or camping with you. If you do go away for a week end and can't get a rat sitter you can set them up with lots of dry foods and an extra water bottle.  Ask a friend to check on them if you cannot find a willing rat sitter and make  sure the water bottles are very secure, they have lots of lab blocks, dry foods and everything is clean and safe.

Your rats can watch TV with you, have them share breakfast with you, help you study or simply entertain you with their cute antics. If you want to take them with you on an outing, a small gym bag is great with a carrying case in it. You can put some bedding, a few grapes and a carrot  in the case with them and it is amazing where you can go with your pet rats if needed, grin.  Oh dear, did I say that?   <:3(   )~~