---
title: "Rat care — AEMV guide distilled"
author: codebuddy
type: article
series: species-care
desc: "Husbandry and health essentials for pet rats, from the AEMV Exotic Companion Care guide: same-sex/social housing, pelleted rat-block diet, prolific breeding, and the mammary-tumor/respiratory disorder profile."
source_topics: aemv_care_guide_rat
date: 2026-08-18
---

# Rat care — AEMV guide distilled

The common pet rat is the **Norway rat** (*Rattus norvegicus*) — fully domesticated, omnivorous (plant and animal foods), and highly social (free-ranging rats live communally).

## Housing & environment

- Enclosure **at least 14 × 24 × 12 in (35 × 60 × 30 cm)** — bigger the better — made of cleanable, escape-proof material with **solid flooring** of plastic or metal. Place off the floor, away from windows and vents.
- Maintain **room temperature 65–80°F (18–26°C)** at **40–70% humidity**; **avoid above 85°F (29°C).** Substrate 1/4–1/2 in deep: shredded paper, recycled newspaper composite/pellets, or compressed wheat straw. **Avoid pine, cedar and corn cob.**

## Diet & nutrition

Feed a **fresh, high-quality pelleted diet formulated for rats (rat blocks, free choice)**. Avoid foods high in sugar and fat (obesity); tree nuts may be offered in very small amounts once or twice weekly. Fresh water always via drinking bottle, **cleaned and refilled at least twice weekly.**

## Behavior & veterinary care

Because rats are so social, keep **at least two same-sex or neutered rats together**; single rats need more attention. They are prolific breeders — unless you want **3–18 pups every 21–23 days**, don't keep a male and female together unless neutered. Handle gently from birth (especially 2–4 weeks) to bond. **Frequent physical examinations** (an annual exam is recommended) catch problems early.

## Common disorders

AEMV lists cardiac (congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, hypertension); dental (fractured incisors, malocclusion, periodontitis); dermatologic (abscesses, infections, bite wounds, cutaneous lymphoma, fleas, lice, mites, pododermatitis); endocrine/nervous (seizures, stroke, pituitary tumors); ocular (cataracts, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcer, keratitis, retinal degeneration, "red tears"); reproductive (infertility, mammary gland tumors, uterine prolapse); respiratory; urinary (hydronephrosis, kidney inflammation/infection); and musculoskeletal conditions.

## Sources

- `aemv_care_guide_rat` — AEMV Exotics Companion Care Series (rat): Rattus norvegicus, social/omnivorous; housing ≥14×24×12 in, solid flooring, 65–80°F/40–70% RH, avoid >85°F, avoid pine/cedar/corn cob; rat blocks free choice, avoid sugar/fat, water ≥2× weekly; ≥2 same-sex/neutered, 3–18 pups/21–23 days; annual exam; disorder list incl. mammary tumors/pituitary tumors.