Resources

So you're thinking about getting pet rats? Here are some resources to help you make an informed decision on whether rats are the right pet for you.

 

Rat Awareness Week: Why rats are amazing

https://fb.watch/oldGssGf_g/

 

Isamu Rats: Thinking about pet rats 

http://www.isamurats.co.uk/thinking-about-pet-rats.html

 

Isamu Rats: FAQ How long do rats live? 

https://youtu.be/RCJBJLJ99ao?si=6UFuWcL0EyasImYG 

 

Faithful Rattos: Reasons why you SHOULDN'T get pet rats 

https://youtu.be/TSVe9sxe4G0?si=wb7vWMcFCcWACJl- 

 

Emiology: Things I wish I’d known before getting rats 

https://youtu.be/qaEFsE443E0?si=4NbiQHUVvE4Vx2WC

 

Rat Awareness Week: Rat Chat- Top Tips & Compromises 

https://fb.watch/olaIwEtkrm/

 

So you STILL want pet rats? Great! Here are some resources to help guide you in sourcing rats, how many to get and some information to help you decide if you would like bucks or does.

​

Isamu Rats: Getting your first rats 

http://www.isamurats.co.uk/getting-your-first-rats.html

​

Bucks or does?

 

Rat Awareness Week: Bucks or Does, which are best for you? 

https://fb.watch/olccwenXPK/

​

Isamu Rats: All about bucks

Behaviour: https://youtu.be/3xEFN_wVYNg?si=Bt-Hf9vTqdRtBdW5

Health: https://youtu.be/oHBPvkA_5D4?si=Url1Ozb9HkyqYnav

​

Isamu Rats All about does 

Behaviour: https://youtu.be/5l5RPH4NYp4?si=AS6V_YwAVDbUDxhx

Health: https://youtu.be/PDVzfx5OZFE?si=XjAsuNAaAxEPOsoG

​

Where can I get them? (...apart from us of course!) 

 

Estelle Sanford: Why NOT to buy rats from pet shops:

 http://www.estellesandford.co.uk/rodentfarm.html

 

NERS (article by Alison Campbell & a poem by Mary Giles):

http://www.neratsociety.co.uk/articles/petshops.shtml 

 

NERS (article by Alison Campbell) Why rats need company 

http://www.neratsociety.co.uk/articles/company.shtml

 

NFRS breeder list (make sure to read the disclaimer) 

https://www.nfrs.org/breeders_list.html 

​
 

You've sourced your rats? Awesome! Here are some resources to help you get ready and prepare for collection and set up. 

 

Sourcing a rat savvy vet

​

Rat Vet Reviews on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1849856665043534/?ref=share

You can also ask your breeder or rescue for local recommendations 

 

See also Azuline Rattery: Is insurance worth the cost? https://azulinerattery.wordpress.com/is-insurance-for-rats-worth-the-cost/

 

Getting ready: The basics
 

Rat Awareness Week: Preparing to get rats, The Basics 

https://fb.watch/olaCjgYevb/

 

Rat Awareness Week: Preparing the right environment

https://fb.watch/olbiBBvw0n/

 

Azuline Rattery: 10 most common mistakes new rat owners make

https://azulinerattery.wordpress.com/10-most-common-mistakes-new-rat-owners-make/

 

Marigold Rats: Setting up your rats home https://www.marigoldrats.com/post/setting-up-your-rats-home

 

Rat Awareness Week: Rat Chat - Habitats 

https://fb.watch/olaQ-rVXZe/

 

Rat Awareness Week: Wheels

https://fb.watch/olaSRO-5al/

 

Rat Awareness Week: Enrichment Toys

https://fb.watch/olaWH_ik4q/

 

Cage set-up inspiration: 

Marigold Rats: 

Our Rats' homes | Marigold Rats

 

There are also lots of fantastic cages on Facebook in the groups Rat Care UK and Naturalistic & Bioactive Rat Set Ups.

 

Food, glorious food! Resources for what to buy, what not to buy:

 

Isamu Rats

Feeding & Nutrition 

http://www.isamurats.co.uk/feeding-and-nutrition.html

Enrichment feeding 

http://www.isamurats.co.uk/enrichment-feeding.html

Vegetables & Fruits 

http://www.isamurats.co.uk/vegetables-and-fruits.html

 

Rat Awareness Week

Rat Chat -Diet & Nutrition 

https://fb.watch/olchm7QWaY/

Commercial mixes Vs homemade diets 

https://fb.watch/olcjwZwQ3k/

 

The Scuttling Gourmet Book: https://shunamiterats.co.uk/the-scuttling-gourmet/

 

Where to buy pre-made rat mixes 

Rat Rations

https://ratrations.co.uk/rat-mixtures

Ratcessories 

https://ratcessories.com/products/rat-mix

 

Additional note: If your rats come from a breeder, ask them about their rats diet and what they thrive on. Some breeders find that their rats are better suited to some mixes than others. For example at Marigold rats, our rats do better on a higher fat diet so we make our own. This doesn't mean you have to make your own if you buy our rats, but we would encourage you to give them extra healthy oils and fats occasionally. 

 

You've got your new rats home! Congratulations on joining the rat owning community, becoming a fully fledged rat parent and signing your life away (kidding! sort of). Here are some resources to help with caring for your rats. Including health related articles that may come in handy. 

​

Isamu Rats

Starting out with rats 

http://www.isamurats.co.uk/starting-out-with-rats.html

Rat information & care guide 

http://www.isamurats.co.uk/rat-information-and-care.html

Health Checking 

http://www.isamurats.co.uk/health-checking.html

​

Rat introductions (how to safely introduce new rats to your group) 

http://www.isamurats.co.uk/introducing-rats.html

The Carrier Method: http://www.isamurats.co.uk/the-carrier-method.html

Useful video: https://youtu.be/uMA-MWGwN8A?si=3uIuEOeEJuuHQMJj

 

I would also encourage you to browse all of the other articles on www.isamurats.co.uk as they are very informative and helpful. 

​

Rat Awareness Week

Did you know your rats dietary needs change as they get older? 

https://fb.watch/oldC02Yni5/

Free Roaming guide 

https://fb.watch/oldJRON83u/

Rat health and common diseases 

https://fb.watch/oldNy5wT5Q/

 

Rolling Groups:

Azuline Rats: Rolling Rat Groups 

https://azulinerattery.wordpress.com/rolling-rat-groups-the-what-the-why-and-the-how/ 

 

Facebook groups to join:

Rat Care UK 

https://m.facebook.com/groups/RatCareUK/?ref=share

Naturalistic & Bioactive Rat Set Ups 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/801437910262129/?ref=share

 

Your breeder’s homing group (if they have one) I invite all Marigold homes to join our private group. 

​

YouTube channels to subscribe to and browse through: 

Isamu Rat Care: https://youtube.com/@IsamuRatCare?si=JFH7GS70L97gPrwH

 

Faithful Rattos: https://youtube.com/@FaithfulRattos?si=B5Wl0U8qb3lu--8k

 

Emiology: https://youtube.com/@Emiology?si=ObqdBXHf1bJK-KY0

 

If you're interested in learning about or getting involved in Rat Shows, here are our links to our local club LSCMRC and national society NFRS. I would be very happy to chat to people about showing. 

 

London & Southern Counties Mouse & Rat Club 

https://ericjukes.wixsite.com/miceandrats

 

National Fancy Rat Society 

www.nfrs.org 

​