My new pet rat. Meet Earl...

[Kiki]

I bet @Tesumph can recommend a good diet for Earl.

 

[townchicks]

I fed my rats Purina Lab chow. The lab chow is formulated to feed lab rats and mice and is a complete food, also it is somewhat hard, so it helps to keep the teeth worn down properly. The bags of mixed junk that most of the pet stores sell for rodents, is basically junk food. They also got a little bit of what ever I had for dinner that night. If you can't find lab chow, then dog food would be better than the junk food mixed stuff.

 

[mountainbunny]

...and this is Earl's favorite hang out spot, on top of my head!

 

[Kiki]

...and this is Earl's favorite hang out spot, on top of my head!

He is going to poop on you!

 

[Tesumph]

Congrats on your new rattie! He looks like a doll. I would really suggest getting him a (male!) rat friend. Rats are incredibly social creatures, even more so than chickens, and will get depressed without companionship. They can actually die of loneliness!
On that note, you mentioned buying an aquarium for him. I would also suggest getting your money back and buying a cage; not only is the ventilation very important for their delicate respiratory systems, the multiple levels and climbing bars are very stimulating for their active brains.

The best rat food on the market is Harlan Teklad lab blocks
https://www.amazon.com/Nesom-Distributing-Envigo-Formerly-Harlan/dp/B00N0DEDT8
and Mazuri kibble.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000...57&sr=8-11&keywords=mazuri+rat+and+mouse+diet
Dog food isn’t very healthy long term unfortunately, and the seed mixes you find at pet stores are the equivalent to feeding chickens only scratch (it’s junk food). In my years of owning rats, Harlan teklad was their favorite and produced very low-odor poops.

Sorry to harp on you, just some important pointers for basic health. He looks like a keeper haha, makes me miss owning the little rascals. Best of luck!

 

[mountainbunny]

Congrats on your new rattie! He looks like a doll. I would really suggest getting him a (male!) rat friend. Rats are incredibly social creatures, even more so than chickens, and will get depressed without companionship. They can actually die of loneliness!
On that note, you mentioned buying an aquarium for him. I would also suggest getting your money back and buying a cage; not only is the ventilation very important for their delicate respiratory systems, the multiple levels and climbing bars are very stimulating for their active brains.

The best rat food on the market is Harlan Teklad lab blocks
https://www.amazon.com/Nesom-Distributing-Envigo-Formerly-Harlan/dp/B00N0DEDT8
and Mazuri kibble.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000...57&sr=8-11&keywords=mazuri+rat+and+mouse+diet
Dog food isn’t very healthy long term unfortunately, and the seed mixes you find at pet stores are the equivalent to feeding chickens only scratch (it’s junk food). In my years of owning rats, Harlan teklad was their favorite and produced very low-odor poops.

Sorry to harp on you, just some important pointers for basic health. He looks like a keeper haha, makes me miss owning the little rascals. Best of luck!

Thanks for all the good advice. I'm looking around for a larger, multi leveled rat home for him. I'll look at the rat food they sell at Petco and if it doesn't look decent, I'll shop around. I just remember having good luck with Benefil many many years ago when rat food options were junk. ...that 1st option for food looks like what I saw at Petco. Will look again next time I'm there.

 

[AlderCreekFarms]

I rescued a rat just like that from my son's python just minutes before he was due to become dinner! I said no way, he's too cute you go get that snake a cockroach or something! That rat was the sweetest little thing, I loved her. She lived 3 years. I forget what we fed her, it's been at least 10 years ago. Glad you have a snuggle muffin to call your own.

 

[mountainbunny]

I rescued a rat just like that from my son's python just minutes before he was due to become dinner! I said no way, he's too cute you go get that snake a cockroach or something! That rat was the sweetest little thing, I loved her. She lived 3 years. I forget what we fed her, it's been at least 10 years ago. Glad you have a snuggle muffin to call your own.

. Many many years ago when I bought my 1st rat. I got him at a feed store .When I told the girl I was buying it as a pet, she started crying because she was so happy I was buying him as a pet.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Cute!
You definitely need a different home for him than you have. You also need companions- two rats are the minimum, three is better.
Rats also need, bare minimum, two cubic feet per rat. They need lots of room to climb, and that cage has to be stuffed with toys. Also, don't use wood shavings, the dust can cause them lung issues.
This is a social media post, but the source is reputable, great rat care info: http://zoologicallyobsessed.tumblr..../how-to-meet-the-basic-needs-for-your-pet-rat

 

[mountainbunny]

Cute!
You definitely need a different home for him than you have. You also need companions- two rats are the minimum, three is better.
Rats also need, bare minimum, two cubic feet per rat. They need lots of room to climb, and that cage has to be stuffed with toys. Also, don't use wood shavings, the dust can cause them lung issues.
This is a social media post, but the source is reputable, great rat care info: http://zoologicallyobsessed.tumblr..../how-to-meet-the-basic-needs-for-your-pet-rat

I am shopping around for a larger, multi level rat home for him. This is his baby house, so he has plenty of room for now. Using shredded dustless paper as litter/bedding.