Bringing New Rats Home: Tips for a Smooth Transition
Congratulations on your new pets! Bringing new rats home can be a lot to think about. We have some advice and tips on how to make the transition as smooth as possible for both you and your new rats. Being prepared can make the transition smoother for both of you!
What To Prepare Before They Arrive
Before you pick up your new rats, you should have a few basics already purchased and prepared. Food is at the top of the list. For more information on what you can feed your rats, see: Safe Foods For Rats: The Ultimate List
Be sure to set up their enclosure so it will be ready when you arrive home.
Still looking for a cage? Check out: Rat Enclosure Basics: Choosing An Enclosure
The first thing to add to their enclosure is a clean water dispenser. Your rats should have access to water at all times. This should be cleaned regularly to ensure no bacteria or mold builds up.
Bedding is next on the list. Good bedding can really cut down on odors and ensure your rat’s respiratory systems stay healthy. Nesting is also an important natural behavior, and they need bedding to do this!
Safe bedding options include recycled paper bedding, hemp, aspen, *kiln-dried* pine, shredded paper and fleece. Fleece should not be used exclusively as digging is an important natural behavior for rats. Do be cautious of anything that is too dusty. Brands may differ in dustiness and keeping it to a minimum is important for your rats’ sensitive respiratory systems.
Enrichment items are important for keeping your rats happy and mentally healthy. Chew blocks, apple sticks, tissue boxes, toilet paper rolls, hammocks. There are so many items to choose from! Having a few to rotate during cleanings can make life easier!
For lots of fun ideas on enrichment items for their cage, check out: How To Set Up A Rat Cage
Ready for Pick Up!
Once your enclosure is all setup, you are ready to pick up your new pet. Be sure to bring your own container for carrying your new friends home! Small boxes or plastic containers work well for short trips. Longer trips will need something more durable and chew-proof. If you choose to use a box, regardless of the length of the trip, be sure to supervise your rats. They can chew through cardboard very quickly!
It helps to have a second person with you. That way someone can supervise the rats while the other person drives. We want everyone to make it home safely!
Bringing Rats Home: Introducing Their New Cage
When you arrive home you will want to show your new rats their enclosure. Give them some time to adjust and explore their new home. Depending on their temperament, they may be scared and try to hide or they may be very curious and want to explore. Meet them where they are and they will soon learn to trust you.
Once they are comfortable and have had time to explore, the fun begins!
All of our rats are handled regularly while in our care, so they should do well with handling. Offer some fun treats to build their trust, and don’t worry if they don’t take it right away. They may just need more time to adjust and get comfortable with you and their new surroundings. With a bit of time and patience, you will have a new playmate in no time!
Don’t Forget To Quarantine!
If you already have pets, please follow quarantine rules to be sure your new rats remain healthy. They should be kept separate from any resident rats for a minimum of 14 days to prevent the spread of any illnesses.
This is a good overview on the benefits of quarantine: https://ratguide.com/health/basics-health/quarantine.php
Failure to comply with proper quarantine will void our 72-hour health guarantee.
Feel free to keep in touch with us!
We hope bringing your new rats home is just the beginning. We love to see pictures of our babies as they grow and are happy to answer any questions you may have. Please reach out!
Looking for more articles on rat care? Check out our Rat Care page for more articles!
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