The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Caring for Pet Rats in Singapore
So, You’ve Chosen Pet Rats, Great Choice!
Pet rats, affectionately known as “fancy rats,” are clever, affectionate, and endlessly curious. Whether you’re new to rat parenting or just brushing up on your knowledge, this guide will help you keep those little tails wagging with joy.
This beginner guide covers everything you need to know about caring for pet rats, including housing, diet, enrichment, hygiene, behaviour, and common challenges faced by rat owners in Singapore.
Quick Take for New Rat Owners
If you’re short on time, here’s what matters most when caring for pet rats.
- Rats are highly social and must not be kept alone
- Clean, well ventilated housing prevents most health issues
- Diet and bedding choices directly affect respiratory health
- Many beginner problems are caused by humidity and hygiene, not illness
You can always read the full guide below when you’re ready.
Thinking About Getting Rats?
Before bringing home your first rats, make sure you have enough space for a proper cage, time for daily interaction, and access to someone familiar with small pet care. While rats are affectionate and rewarding companions, they thrive best with attention, routine, and good setup from day one.
Picking the Perfect Pair
Rats thrive in companionship, so it’s best to adopt at least two. They’ll groom, play, and snuggle with each other, creating bonds that will warm your heart.
What to Look For:
🐀 Bright eyes
✨ Shiny coat
🏃♂️ Lively movements
❤️ Adopt from a responsible breeder or rescue
Adopting a pair ensures emotional wellbeing and reduces loneliness!
Read: 🐭 Do Pet Rats Need Friends? A Complete Guide for Singapore Owners
Pet Rat Starter Checklist
- At least two rats (never keep a rat alone)
- Spacious multi level cage with good ventilation
- Paper based or aspen bedding
- High quality rat blocks or pellets
- Fresh vegetables daily
- Safe hideouts, hammocks, and chew toys
- Daily interaction and handling time
- Contact details of a small animal or exotic vet
If you can tick most of these off, you’re already off to a great start.
Preparing Their Perfect Home
Rats are adventurous climbers and diggers, so a spacious, stimulating cage is a must.
✅ Cage Tips:
Minimum 2 cubic feet per rat
Multi level structure with ramps
Bar spacing no wider than 0.5 inch
🛏️ Bedding:
Use paper based bedding or aspen
Avoid pine or cedar (they can irritate rat lungs)
🧸 Must Have Accessories:
Hideouts: Hammocks, soft socks, igloos
Toys: Chews, ropes, tunnels
Water: Sturdy, drip proof bottle
Spot clean daily, deep clean weekly to keep their home fresh!
Read: What My Rats Taught Me About the Little Things That Matter
Feeding Your Fancy Friends
Rats love food, but it needs to be balanced and healthy.
🍽️ Daily Diet:
High quality rat pellets or lab blocks
Fresh veggies: 🥬 Broccoli, 🥕 Carrot, 🫑 Bell peppers
Occasional fruits: 🍎 Apple, 🍌 Banana
Small proteins: Plain tofu, boiled egg
Singapore tip: Many leafy greens commonly available here such as bok choy, choy sum, and nai bai are safe for rats when washed thoroughly and fed in moderation. Avoid giving leftover seasoned food from hawker meals, as salt, oil, and sauces are unsuitable for rats.
❌ Avoid These:
Chocolate
Citrus
Onion & Garlic
Use small treats like oats or unsalted nuts for training and bonding!
💡 Tip: Offer treats like small pieces of cooked plain egg, rice, or plain wholegrain pasta in moderation. Too many treats — especially high-fat or sugary ones — can lead to obesity and digestive upset. Rats are omnivores, so a balanced diet with variety helps both nutrition and enrichment.
What are Lab Blocks? : Lab Blocks Explained
Building a Bond
Trust takes time, but the payoff is priceless.
🐾 Steps to Bond:
Let them sniff your hand before lifting
Hand feed treats
Talk softly, move slowly
Spend time together daily, on your lap or exploring a safe space
Soon they’ll greet you, climb you, and nap in your lap!
Keeping Them Stimulated
Smart and curious, rats love variety in their environment.
🧠 Mental & Physical Fun:
Free Roam Time: Let them explore a secure room
DIY Toys: Cardboard mazes, egg cartons
Puzzle Feeders: Encourage problem solving
Rotate toys weekly to prevent boredom!
Consider exploring toys and bedding designed for small animals for added comfort and enrichment: Bored Rat? 7 Enrichment Ideas Every Rattie Will Love
Health & Hygiene Basics
A healthy rat = a happy life.
🧽 Cleaning Routine:
Spot clean bedding daily
Deep clean cage weekly with pet safe disinfectant
🕵️♀️ Health Watch:
Wheezing or sneezing
Scabs or bald patches
Sudden lethargy or weight loss
🩺 Vet Ready:
Find an exotic or small animal vet nearby Rats Savvy Vets in Singapore
Some rats enjoy shallow water baths, supervised and lukewarm only!
Read: Pet Rat Health Guide for Singapore Owners: Signs, Illnesses, and When to Worry
Common Beginner Mistake
If your cage smells strongly even after cleaning, it is usually ammonia build up combined with humidity, not poor hygiene. Increasing cleaning frequency alone doesn’t always solve this. Bedding choice and ventilation matter more.
What helps most
- Regular spot cleaning
- Using pet safe disinfectants suitable for multi pet homes
- Avoiding heavily scented cleaners
Why Environment Matters in Singapore Homes
In Singapore, heat and humidity can quietly affect rat health even when everything else seems right. Poor airflow combined with damp bedding can lead to ammonia build up, which irritates the respiratory system.
Good ventilation, dry bedding, and consistent spot cleaning are often more important than frequent full cage washes.
Read: How to Keep Your Rat’s Cage Smelling Fresh (Without Using Harmful Chemicals)
Understanding Rat Behaviour
Rats are expressive, if you know what to look (and listen) for.
🐀 Common Signals:
Bruxing: Tooth grinding = contentment
Boggling: Eye wiggle = blissed out
Squeaks or Chirps: Can mean excitement, fear, or protest, read their body language too
Each rat is unique, observe and learn their communication style!
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Rats
How long do pet rats live?
Pet rats typically live between 2 to 3 years, though some may live slightly longer with excellent care and genetics.
Can rats be kept alone?
No. Rats are highly social animals and should always be kept in pairs or groups. A single rat is more likely to become stressed and depressed.
Do rats smell?
Rats themselves are very clean animals. Strong smells usually come from urine ammonia caused by humidity, poor ventilation, or unsuitable bedding rather than the rats.
🕰️ Making the Most of Their Time
Rats live 2 to 3 years, but their love and loyalty are lasting.
They’ll charm you with their antics, follow you around like tiny puppies, and nestle into your arms when tired. The bond you build is genuine and deep.
Enjoy every whisker twitch and tail wiggle, your life is now full of tiny adventures and endless love.
If you’re new to rat ownership, you may also find these helpful
- Common mistakes first time rat owners make
- How humidity affects rats in Singapore homes
- Safe cleaning routines for small pet cages
Caring for pet rats can feel overwhelming at first, but most problems new owners face are easily preventable with the right setup and habits. If you ever feel unsure or overwhelmed, remember that most rat owners have been there too. Learning, adjusting, and observing your rats over time is part of the journey.
If circumstances ever change and you find yourself unable to continue despite your best efforts, we’ve written a separate guide on humane next steps and getting support without judgement.
If you’re new to rat ownership or caring for small pets, you’re welcome to join the TheOnePet community on Telegram. It’s a local Singapore based space where pet parents share experiences, ask questions, and learn together.
While the community covers different pets, many discussions naturally focus on rats and small animals, which are at the heart of what we do.
Join the TheOnePet community on Telegram
We’ve linked items throughout this guide that many rat owners find helpful, but always adjust based on your own rats and home environment.
So go ahead, create that dream rat haven, embrace their quirky habits, and enjoy every tail chasing, treat stealing moment. Your life just got a whole lot better (and a little fuzzier).