Here's a guide I made awhile ago. I hope I didn't miss too much!
Food
Feed a low protein, low fat, low corn lab block. The best brands I know of are Oxbow Regal Rat, and Harlan Tekland either 2014, 2016, or 2018. Many rats don't like the taste of Oxbow, and more than 20% protein is unnecessary for a pet rat which is not breeding or sick. (Please don't breed.) Some people like Suebee's diet, but lab blocks are always the best, that should be a back up. Avoid seed mixes and pet store brands, such as Kaytee.
Temperament
Rats are really friendly creatures, though they can be shy when first brought home, and even aggressive if poorly cared for. They are very intelligent and social, therefore it is mandatory to get at least 2. Rats can learn basic tricks, some love to cuddle, some love to play, some love both! Rats should not bite is handled properly. However, they will pee on you.
Treats
Can be fed lots of fruits and veggies as treats. Hard boiled egg, beans, nuts, and whole wheat pastas, whole wheat rices, and whole wheat breads are also adequate. Avoid treats that are high in fat and sugar, like yogurt drops and peanut butter. No lactose, iceberg lettuce, (romaine is fine) avocado, citrus, or chocolate. Nothing processed. If it's bad for you, it's probably bad for your pet. About 1/5 of a rat's diet should be treats, mostly fruits and veggies. The rest of a rat's diet should be lab blocks.
Housing
I like at LEAST 7.5 feet/245 centimeters cubed for 2 rats, with 5 feet/150 centimeters being the absolute minimum. Minimum dimensions would be 18"Lx30"Dx24"H. Super Pet Exotic is a good cage for it's price. Critter Nation, and other ferret cages are great.
http://www.martinscages.com/products/cages/rat/ are some of the best, buy the R-680 or bigger. No aquariums, they lack ventilation, rats can't climb the sides, and it's hard to hang toys. Don't buy a cage made of wood either, as they pee soaks in to the wood and STINKS. Ratties love to climb, buy a tall, wire cage with a base of at least 18"x30". About 45x75 centimeters.
Bedding
Not pine, not cedar, not sawdust. These can cause health problems. Carefresh, Yesterday's News, fleece, and aspen are great. People often line the shelves of the cage with material for easier cleaning.
Toys
Lots of tubes, hammocks, and nests are mandatory. Cube hammocks are popular among my rats. Paper towel, cardboard boxes, paper bags, and empty juice bottles are great free toys. To make a hammock, cut a square out of material and hang. To make a tube hammock, cut a leg of an old pair of jeans or sweatpants and hang. Do not confuse tube hammocks with tubes, mine love there large, plastic ferret tubes. A tube should have at least 2.5 inches/6 centimeter opening to be completely safe. There are no limits when decorating your cage. A solid bottomed wheel is a neccessity, especially if you get female rats, male often don't use on. Make sure it has a diameter of at LEAST 10 inches/25 centimeters, bigger for larger rats, and a solid bottom. Bird, ferret, and even cat toys are good for rats. Nothing with a lot of dyes, or pieces that can be choked on. It's okay if the chew plastic, they do not eat it, and it will happen. Still, provide a safe wood chew for their teeth. There are some 3rd party hammock sellers in "Garage Sale" category on this forum.
Play
Handle them an hour daily. Some rats are content to laze on your shoulder, but other like to run around a rat-proof room or space. No electric chords, chemicals, or places they can escape to. Mine run around on the top of my bed, a rat should always be supervised when out of the cage. If you are busy, still take your rats out, you can stick them in your sweater while you do your stuff. They'll burrow in your sleeves, and bond to your scent. You can create a playground by filling a wading pool with bedding and toys. Rats love to play and cuddle! Avoid hamster balls at all costs, those are very dangerous. The only use they have is you can hang them on the side of the cage as a nest.
Male or Female
Males are generally lazier, larger, and more cuddly. Females are more active, smaller, and are all over everything. Both are great pets. Males will occasionally get aggressive at 'puberty' when they are 4-6 months old. Unspayed females have a high chance of getting tumors, and if kept with other males, will become pregnant. Unneutered males will mark, are more aggressive, have a higher chance of certain diseases, and some people are grossed out by giant rat balls.
Vet
Take a rat to your vet if they show any symptoms of sickness, such as sneezing, porphyrin (a reddish discharge), lethargic, cuts, tumors, missing or funny looking fur, or a drastic change in behavior. Find a vet that has experience with rats, and who you can trust. Many people will get their rats spayed or neutered, to prevent aggression, health problems, marking, and unwanted pregnancies. Male rats will stink less if fixed.
Where To Buy
Breeders are often best, but are sometimes ignorant or breed only for profit. Pet store rats are a gamble, as they will almost always have health problems, but some have lived to be 5 years old. Shelter rats are pet store rats that have been abandon, but at a shelter should experience great care and be properly socialized.
Important Points
-get 2 or more. If there are 3 together, don't leave one stranded.
-get a large, wire cage
-rats are smart, cute, and very friendly
-average lifespan is 2-3 years, up to 5 is possible!
-need to be handled at least an hour a day
-very rewarding pets
-make sure you know of a vet who treats rats
Links:
http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/
http://www.petratscanada.com/ This one has a list of forbidden foods.
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pag...
http://www.ratsrule.com/ratcare.html
http://ratguide.com/care/
http://dapper.com.au/ The cages they use on this website have bad ventilation, the wood will stink.
viewtopic.ph... Cages!
viewtopic.ph... More cages!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32079380@N0... My Cage
