What do fancy rats need?

Answer 1

They need a clean cage that's big enough to allow them to exercise and play. It should include a rat house or something where they can hide and sleep. Also toys and chew sticks, rat food, and fresh, healthy veggies and fruit. Fresh water daily, and good quality paper litter which should be changed regularly.

Most of all, they need companionship. Ideally, you should get two rats so they can keep one another company, and you should also handle and play with your rats. That way, they'll become tame and bond with you - rats can get very fond of their owners, just like little dogs. You can let them out of their cage to play (you may have to stuff a towel under the door, so they don't escape into the rest of the house).

They make smart, social, affectionate pets, but they need to be handled and petted and played with. Otherwise, there's no point in having them - they'll just be lonely little animals in a cage.

They don't have a very long life span (2 - 3 years on average), and they can be prone to health problems and need trips to the vet, just like any other pet.