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- Rats as pets involve more pros than cons. They are hygienic, doing more self-care than virtually any other domesticated animal on the planet.
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Rats make wonderful pets, but need proper care. Learn about rat behaviour and get expert tips on how to keep rats healthy, happy and safe.
- Behaviour
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- Behaviour
- How infections are passed to people
- Pregnancy concerns with pet rodents
- Reduce the risk of infection
- Diseases and infections
Infections may be acquired following:
•animal bites
•contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva or bedding materials
•breathing in rodent dander, dried droppings and urine, or dust from bedding materials contaminated by them
Hantavirus infections in particular can result from breathing in the virus. This can happen when rodent urine and droppings that contain hantavirus are stirred up into the air.
People can also become infected when they touch mouse or rat urine, droppings, saliva or bedding materials that contain the virus and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. Infection can also occur if contaminated food and drink are consumed.
Although the risk of infection from pet rodents is generally low, people who are pregnant should be aware of the risks associated with acquiring these infections during pregnancy.
The following precautions can be taken to reduce even further the risk:
•keep your pet rodent in a separate part of the home and ask another family member or friend to clean the cage and care for the pet
•avoid prolonged stays in the room where the rodent is kept
Do not eat, drink or smoke while tending to your pet rodent.
Keep rodent cages clean and remove soiled bedding often.
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling your rodent, rodent excrement or cleaning their cage or any other materials such as bedding or toys. Be especially careful to immediately clean your skin thoroughly if you get rodent urine directly on your skin. NHS has guidance on how to wash your hands, and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has downloadable posters on best practice hand-washing.
Do not kiss pet rodents, hold them close to your face or let them eat your food.
Cover cuts, scratches or sores with a waterproof plaster before handling animals and thoroughly clean and cover any cuts or abrasions received during handling the animal.
Keep your pet rodent out of rooms where food is prepared and eaten, and limit the parts of the house where it is allowed to roam freely.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection found in rodents (particularly rats) and many other wild and domesticated animals. Wild rodents are implicated in many human leptospirosis cases, but pet rats have also been a source of infection. Rodents infected with this bacterium (called a leptospire) will show no outward signs of infection. Infection in humans may be acquired by direct or indirect contact with infected animal urine, tissues or secretions, or water contaminated with infected animal urine. Leptospires enter the body through cut or damaged skin, membranes, and eyes. In people, infection ranges from no symptoms at all to a mild flu-like illness to a serious illness. The most severe presentation is called Weil’s disease, with jaundice and kidney failure. Symptoms usually develop 7 to 21 days after initial infection, though rarely the incubation period can be as short as 2 to 3 days or as long as 30 days.
Hantavirus
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses that can be carried and transmitted by rodents. Infection with certain strains of hantavirus can cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome seen in Europe. Hantaviruses have been found in both pet and wild rodents in the UK. Each hantavirus is specific to a different rodent host. Once infected, the rodent will be infectious for prolonged periods, probably for life. Transmission of virus to people usually occurs through the inhalation of particles contaminated with the virus, such as dust from faeces, contaminated bedding, or splashes of urine. The virus is also present in rodent saliva, so a bite is also a means of transmission to people. In people, infection with these viruses can cause a disease characterised by fever, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms and kidney problems. The more severe forms of disease can result in haemorrhage (bleeding) from internal organs and the skin. The incubation period is generally 2 to 4 weeks (range 2 days to 8 weeks). As for many infections, it is likely that most infections with hantaviruses are mild, or cause no clinical disease in people at all.
Rat-bite fever
Rat-bite fever is a rare infection caused by the bacterium Streptobacillus moniliformis. The bacteria have a worldwide distribution and are carried in the upper respiratory tract of apparently healthy rats and mice. Human infection is usually acquired in domestic settings or pet shops. Transmission may occur either from a rat-bite or scratch when handling infected rats, or from direct contact with their urine. The bite itself usually heals without any signs of infection. Rat-bite fever usually develops within 7 days of the bite, and begins abruptly with fever and chills, followed by severe muscle and joint pain, headache and nausea. Many patients develop a rash, most often on the limbs.
Pet Rats Hygiene. Rats are very clean animals that don’t typically have an odor. They clean themselves every day and keep their fur free of debris or unnecessary oils. However, just like with any animal, you should still wash your hands after handling your rat. Don’t put your rat on surfaces used to eat or prepare food.
Jul 30, 2021 · Rats as pets involve more pros than cons. They are hygienic, doing more self-care than virtually any other domesticated animal on the planet. Rats are also friendly, intelligent, trainable, and enjoy companionship with their human owners. They need fresh food, plenty of exercise, and a clean cage.
Rats can be quite sensitive to noises and the environment they live in. To help them stay happy and healthy, they'll need to be: indoors – it's too cold for pet rats outside; away from any draughts and direct sunlight – rats are sensitive to extreme cold and heat dehydration, both of which can be fatal
Keeping your rats safe. Always make sure that your rats are safe and cannot come into contact with things that can harm them. Call your vet if your rat: Make sure your rats can’t access or eat poisonous materials (including poisonous food, plants and chemicals).
Jul 21, 2023 · Rats are very clean, but just like any pet (including cats and dogs), they can transmit diseases to humans. It's uncommon, but it can happen. Keep yourself and your family safe with these precautions. Wash your hands before and after playing with your rat. Supervise children while handling pet rats. Wash your hands after cleaning their cage.
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