There are a great number of rat related resources out there. Whether a friendly social media group, a website packed full of information or just something you can only get in one place this section aims to point you in the right direction. As with most sources it’s knowing where to look to filter out the good and the bad. So below is a list of some of the must haves and the places to be for the keen rat owner.
Agility and Training
Clickers
“This training clicker fits on your finger making it easier to use and allows for holding rewards. Suitable for rats, puppies, dogs, cats, rabbits and birds”
How to Make Agility Sets
“Join Shadow The Rat for some really helpful videos on how to build your own DIY rat agility course with popsicle sticks, hot glue, cardboard, and optionally, straws”
Mr Mango Makes 8 Piece Agility Kit
This 3D-printed eight-piece Competition Set includes an A-frame, finish platform, high jump, balance beam, high hoop jump, seesaw, tunnel, and slalom. They can also be dismantled for easy storage.
Ratcessories 5 Piece Agility Kit
A handmade rat agility set. This is sanded smooth and screwed into place, no glue involved! Each set contains a hurdle, seesaw, weave poles, high jump and long jump.”
Tricks & Training Puppy School Play Set
Designed for childrens toys but Esther Minic-Rosenthal of Shadow the Rat Training and tricks personally recommends saying “I was looking for a good-sized agility kit for my pet rats, and wasn’t having much luck. Then I stumbled upon this kit and decided to try it out. And it ended up being perfect”
Bargain Basement Cage Items
Collapsible Wine Rack
Ready made small climbing frame for your rats from Tesco. Will keep them fit and entertained for ages. Can have it upright or on its side and as it folds flat it’s easy to store.
Dog Ropes from the Range
A selection of cheap, thick ropes from The Range to use in your cage to help get your rats around.. Multiple links to check out below.
Mega Rope Tug Toy
Cheap, thick ropes from B&M to use in your cage to help get your rats around.
Multi Coloured Play Balls
Can be put into cheap baskets to make a fun small ball pit for the rats. Hide some treats in there and it will be a lot of fun for them to go hunting for them.
Multi Use Hanger
These are very cheap and make extremely good fall breakers. One side has an attached hook and you can attach the other side with chains or string to keep it secure. If angled these can also double as a great way for rats to climb up between levels in the cage too.
Peg baskets
A very cheap basket from B&M that can be used as a place to sleep or fill it with something to play with. The handle means it can be hung from the top of the cage but also having holes in the side means it can be attached to the sides as well.
Plastic Baskets from the Range
A selection of cheap plastic baskets from The Range that can be used for multiple uses. Fill with bedding to make a comfy bed for them, can be a ball pit, a dig box or anything else you can see to keep them entertained. Can be easily attached with chains or tie wraps.
Boarding
The Rat Wiki Boarding Page
“Going away and having good peace of mind that your pets are being looked after well is a huge relief and this section is aimed at making that process much easier by listing as many good rat boarders in the UK as possible”
Rat Boarding UK Facebook Group
“This is a group for people all over the UK who want to go on holiday and need a place for their rats to stay. What better place for your rats to stay than at rat owners houses?”
Books
Color Rats: Coloring Book for Adults
“Love fancy rats and coloring? This book is for you!” 57 pages of Cute, realistic pet rats, with room to be creative with them
Common Diseases Of The Fancy Rat
“The long awaited first part of the NFRS handbook. This book focuses on health and medical information for rats including the care of sick rats, drug treatment information, disease information, vitamins and minerals, choosing a vet and pre- and post-operative care. A definite must for your bookshelf”
Microbiology for Fanciers
“50 page booklet covering bacteria, viruses, algae and fungi – how to avoid them, what the risks are and why some animals become sick when others do not. Highly recommended for breeders and keepers of all small animals”
My Gender is Rats
“My Gender Is Rats is a quirky, honest, and chaotic account of life owning pet rats. A collection of slightly unhinged and effortlessly relatable comics.”
Pet Rat Care
“If you’re a rat lover looking to provide the best possible care for your furry friends, this book is the perfect guide for you! This book covers all aspects of rat care, from adopting rats from ethical sources and setting up a proper living environment to feeding, handling, and understanding rat behaviour”
Simply Rats: Coloring Book
“Love fancy rats and coloring? This book is for you!” 57 pages in total and plenty of room to add your own backgrounds if desired.
The Scuttling Gourmet
“A comprehensive and practical resource for feeding and nurturing your pet rats. Author Alison Campbell draws from her years of research and experience and provides a detailed guide on everything you need to know about rat nutrition including meal planning, health and wellbeing, homemade rat food and much more”
The Ultimate Guide to Rat Training
“Rats are incredibly intelligent and curious animals and require lots of enrichment – there are many ways to provide this, but one of the best ways is through trick training. With a little patients and some practice this book will help you get started on your training journey”
Breeders Lists
MRC Breeders List
The official place to view the standards for all rat varieties which are set in the UK Fancy Rat scene. You will find pictures where available, a description of the standard and also what class they fit into.
NERS Breeders List
The official place to view the standards for all rat varieties which are set in the UK Fancy Rat scene. You will find pictures where available, a description of the standard and also what class they fit into.
NFRS Breeders List
The official place to view the standards for all rat varieties which are set in the UK Fancy Rat scene. You will find pictures where available, a description of the standard and also what class they fit into.
Breeding and Varieties
NFRS Variety Standards
The official place to view the standards for all rat varieties which are set in the UK Fancy Rat scene. You will find pictures where available, a description of the standard and also what class they fit into.
Rat Genetics & Breeding Guide Facebook Group
“This group contains mature content. Viewer discretion is advised. All types of breeding questions and discussions are allowed. This includes feeder breeding, culling, and other sensitive topics. Please be aware”
Rat Genetics: Color, coat and ears
“Rat Genetics: Coat, Color and Ears (RGCCE) has been created with the express purpose of giving all pet rat enthusiasts a place to receive and share their knowledge about the coat, color and ear genetics of the rats”
Rat Variety Guide
A huge contributor driven database that aims to cover as many different varieties of rats as possible from countries around the world. With pictures and info on hundreds of different varieties this is a great place to learn about existing varieties and those new ones you’ve never seen before.
UK Rattery & Breeder Reviews
“This Rattery Review group is a place where people can leave reviews of breeders and owners, either good, bad or somewhere in between”
Cage Setup, Accessories and Extras
Cage Clip Replacements
“Replacement clips in a variety of colours. They are designed to fit cages with wire tops and plastic bases and are a universal fit. Message Su on the link below”
Clips for Hanging Hammocks – Various
A good selection including Metal Hanging clips, plastic hanging hooks, plastic C links, Carabiner clips and ring clips. Perfect for your preference in attaching hammocks and other various items to your cage.
Clip-Tastic
“Handmade, colourful solutions to keeping pet water bottle secure!”
Naturalistic & Bioactive Rat Setups
“This group is all about sharing ideas, asking questions, and sharing pictures and videos of naturalistic/bioactive rat setups”
Pee Stones
Used to litter train rats. Simply place one in a litter tray as rats prefer to pee on smooth flat items and they should start to only do their business here from now on.
Rat cage setups
“I don’t know about you but after getting rats I always seem to wanna share my rat setups and inprove my setups so I figured instead of posting a billion photos in other groups why not make a group just for it”
Ratcage Setups!
“Welcome to Ratcage Setups! A group where you can show your rat cages and receive feedback on how to improve your rats’ enclosure.”
Speedyhog Wheels
SpeedyHog African Pigmy Hedgehog Silent Exercise Wheels. With double bearings and a spacious wheel on steel frames – also available with an odometer to record activity
The Plastic People
Perspex cut to the exact size you need perfect for making your own Perspex base for your cage
TicTac Wheels
“Exercise wheels for African Pygmy Hedgehogs, Chinchillas, Degus, Hamsters, & Rats”
Crafting and DIY
Crafty Rat Owners DIY
“A group to share home made items for rats; Toys, cahes, play area, food and anything else for pet rats. Tutorials, pictures and instructions all welcome and shared”
DIY Rat Toys
“This is a group where everyone can share their fun ideas for DIY rat toys. Be creative and have fun. This is a safe group to share opinions but not be disrespectful”
Loose Floor Toys – Minipetz
A supplier of small items that can be combined into making a variety of different toy combinations for your rats. Simply add them to a wire or some string and let them explore, sniff and chew what you have made them.
Painting Kit for Rats & Rodents
A mini paw painting kit for your pet rats! This kit comes with everything you need for some painting fun. It includes canvasses, a mini easel (perfect for displaying a mini painting) kids paint colors and a written guide for 2 separate ways of paw painting with your rats/mice.
Ratropolis
Hammock making tutorials. Downloadable and high quality pictures with tutorials on many different designs and layouts.
Rat Toy Ideas – The Dapper Rat
“Are your rats in need of some entertainment? Here’s a few cheap and simple ideas for toys and games.”
Club Pages
London and Southern Counties Mouse and Rat Club
“The LSCMRC is a club established since 1916. We host shows most months for both fancy mice and rats in Harlow, Essex. We welcome new members and people keen to start showing their mice or rats!”
Midlands Rat Club
“A club for rats and their people in the Midlands of the UK”
Midlands Rat Club Community
“Information page for all MRC members or interested rat owners”
National Fancy Rat Society
“The NFRS promotes the rat both as a pet and for exibition. We are equally open to breeders, pet owners and a mixture of the two”
North of England Rat Society
” Information on the NERS club, upcoming and past shows and online events”
Peninsula Rat Club
Mostly based in Devon and Cornwall the Peninsula rat club (formerly the South west rat club) aim to provide a community for all to share their love of these wonderful critters”
Scottish Rat Owners
“This group is for all interested in fancy rats in the Scotland area. We support regular shows here too held by the NFRS”
Diet and Nutrition
BuyWholeFoodsOnline
A great place to buy all sorts of ingredients for your rats homemade rat mix. From basic items like dried fruit and veg, seed mixes and grains to more in depth additions like garlic powder and sea weed. Good value for money too.
DIY Rat Treat Recipes
Ever feel like making a yummy surprise for your rats? These DIY treats are both scrumptious and safe to feed to our rats, and what better way to show your rats your love than by making them some yummy treats!
Food Dehydrator
A food dehydrator is a kitchen appliance that removes moisture from food, essentially drying it, to preserve it and extend its shelf life. This is a perfect way to get long lasting ingredients like fruit and vegetables into a DIY rat mix.
Malt Paste
Commonly known as ‘Rat Crack’ it is loved by Rats. It is a treat in a tube that rats will really go for. Contains prebiotics to aid digestion and is packed with B vitamins. Great for gaining trust in nervous rats and also training.
Moo Mix
“ Moo-Mix is a specially designed wet meal for elderly rats. It’s ideally suited for weak or ailing rats where the appetite may be lower than normal. Rats recovering from surgery may also benefit from a course of Moo-mix to build them up again”
Ratwise Membership
Alison Campbell (author of The Scuttling Gourmet) brings you Ratwise – a subscription membership (monthly fee £8.99). This is a group for Ratwise members to gather for information and support.
The Scuttling Gourmet
“The centre of the rattie universe for food, diet, nutrition and enrichment. This is the essential guide to feeding your pet rats for optimum health, vitality and longevity”
Weight up Baby
“Weight-Up Baby! is a high-calorie instant mush was created by us to help some of our own skinny old rats keep some weight on. It’s full of energy and rats find it hard to resist. It is a fantastic aid to help recovery in post-op rats who may have little appetite. Great to conceal meds and old rats adore this”
Dry Mix Suppliers
Critter Happy Homes
“This mix is based on the Shunamite diet. The Shunamite diet is a well-respected diet in the rat community. Free shipping on Rat Mix”
Ratcessories
“This is the Aurora Rattery rat mix made following the principles of the Shaunamite diet that is widely used across the fancy”
RatRations
A large selection of different mixes for all types of rat specific diets
Ratatat Toys & Things
“Dry Rat Mix based on the shunamite diet”
The Rat Warehouse
“A mix based on our own dry mix. It’s simple and keeps our rats healthy and happy. Entirely plant based”
For sale
Rat Stuff For Sale
“Online garage sale for rat stuff. What better way to get rid of things and help those who need it”
Rat Stuff For Sale UK
“This group is entirely for pet rat accessories for sale – new or used. No rat sales are permitted. This is just for toys, cages and other products”
Environmental
Air Purifier
“A device that uses a filter to remove contaminants like dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke from the air, improving indoor air quality. It works by drawing in air, passing it through a filter, and then circulating the purified air back into the room”
Dehumidifier
“An appliance that removes excess moisture from the air, effectively reducing humidity levels. It works by drawing in air, extracting moisture, and then releasing dry air back into the room. This helps prevent condensation, dampness, and the growth of mold and mildew, which can damage property and negatively impact indoor air quality”
Free Roam/Range
Picnic Bench with Food Bowls
A really great item to bring your rats together while they are out for free roam. Fill the included bowls up with fresh fruit, veg or treats and watch them enjoy. Big enough for a whole mischief to use at once and easy to wipe clean.
Playpen Panels
“Simply join the plastic panels with the multi-angle connectors, you’ll quickly set up this pet playpen. It’s easy to disassemble or move around too. Perfect for setting up free roam areas customised to your ideal free roam setup”
Health, Care and Advice
Rat Care UK
“This group is aimed at promoting good practice in pet rat care. Including all areas such as habitat, diet, health, behaviour breeding etc. It’s a place for asking questions, getting advice and learning more”
Rat Guide
A Layman’s Guide to Health, Medication Use, Breeding, and Responsible Care of Pet Rats.
Rat Lovers UK
“This is a friendly group for anyone interested in or who owns rats in the UK. A Place to chat, make friends, share pics, get advice and advertise rat related items”
Rats UK: Help, don’t criticise
“This is a supportive group for pet rat owners across the UK. Here you’ll find expert advice on rat care, health and cage setup. Whether you need recommendations or advice oug group is here to offer a non judgemental space for all your needs”
Miscellaneous
Bat Detectors
A bat detector is a device that captures the high-frequency sounds, or ultrasonic calls some animals such as bats make. This device also allows you to listen to and record ultrasonic noises that your rats make. It will take these sounds and convert them into sounds that humans can hear.
Light Box
A 60cm Portable Photo Studio Light Box Kit that comes with different colour backgrounds perfect for taking high quality pictures of your rats at home or while you’re visiting others.
Security Camera – Tapo
Want to keep an eye on your rats while you are out all day? Worried about leaving briefly during introductions? These Tapo cameras are a great quality and low price solution to easily set up facing your rat cage so you can have peace of mind they are okay until you get home.
Rememberance
Burial Kit
Eco-burial kit designed to engage children with the loss of their small pet. Kit comes complete with burial tube, soft bedding, grave marker, tealight, seeds for the grave, pencils for colouring the label, ceremony guide with information about how young children deal with grief. Biodegradable product with a drawstring bag which can be used to keep precious memories safe.
Fur Bottles
Lovely small bottles with a cork lid. Can be used to shave a little bit of fur off your deceased rat and out into the jar to keep forever. Tying a little bit of ribbon on the neck of the bottle is also a nice way of presenting the bottle too.
Paw Print Stamp Pad Kit
A great gift for animal lovers to create lovely memories. designed for dogs and cats but can be used to get rats paws, noses and tail prints when deceased. This can also be used for prints when still around as well. A great way remember your furry friend.
Rainbow Bridge Website
A place to memorialise and remember all of our special rats that have left us. Free to use, free to memorialise your friends and all of the memorial products that you can purchase are listed at cost.
Solstice Minis
Handcrafted polymer clay rats and other animals. Can be personalised to pay tribute to your own pets. Commissions available to tailor any mini to whatever you want it to look like and what props it comes with.
Solstice Mini Display Stand
A handy perfectly sized display case which will allow you to display upto 25 minis if wanted. Also a nice way to display fur bottles too.
Rescue and Rehoming
Pet Rat Rehoming UK
“Helping rats find their perfect mischief! We connect loving homes with rats in need across the UK. Whether you’re looking to adopt, foster, or rehome, our aim is to give every rat the chance of a safe, happy life with their new mischief.”
Rat Rescue Network UK
“A group to help organise help for rats in need across the UK. This can be used to either co-ordinate large rescues, or to share rats in need that we cannot help as individuals”
South West Uk Rescues
“Our aim is to bring rat rescues and those rehoming their beloved pets together with those seeking a new companion to help find loving homes for any rats in need”
The Rat Wiki Rescues Page
This will be an ever growing list of some of the best rescues to adopt from within the UK. While there are rat focused rescues out there and indeed on this list, the Number isn’t huge so I’ve decided to list as many rescues as possible here that either currently have rats, have had rats for adoption recently or list rats as animals they do rescue.
Medical and Treatment
Harka-Mectin
Harkamectin is a single treatment that helps to control worms, lice and mites on rats (Don’t worry about the Pidgeon on the box it is perfectly safe to use on rats and is one of the most effective ways to treat your rats.
Hibiscrub
“HibiScrub contains a blend of dermatologically tested emollients which help to care for the skin, even with frequent use, by replenishing oils and attracting water into the skin. Effective against a wide range of bacteria, yeasts, fungi and viruses”
Ipakitine
“Ipakitine is a safe but powerful supplement used in conjunction with a kidney friendly diet in the management of renal failure in cats and dogs. It has been found to be extremely effective in rats, and it is now used widely”
Lamisil
A common antifungal treatment widely used to treat ringworm in Rats. Always consult with a vet first if you suspect ringworm before treating,
Substrate and Bedding
RatRations Nesting and Bedding Materials
A large selection of some of the most suitable and recommended nesting and bedding materials available.
RatRations Substrates and Litters
A large selection of some of the most suitable and recommended Substrates and Rat friendly Litters available.
Summer Cooling
Cooling Chill Hammocks
Hammocks with a small chamber designed to fit in a cooling item like an ice pack, glass bottle or tile which is provided with purchase. Simply freeze the disired item then fit into the hammock during a hot day to cool your rats down.
Mischief Made Cooling Hammocks
Ratatat Toys & Things Cooling Hammocks
Cooling Tile Shelf
This shelf is ideal to provide your pet with a place to relax and cool down.The Shelf has a finger hole to enable you to easily pop out the cooling tile. Simply wipe it down, place the tile in the fridge and then place the cooled tile back in the shelf for your rats to lay down on.
Tiny Furry Pet Stop Cooling Shelf
Pet Ledges UK “The Chill Out Ledge”
Play Sink With Running Water
A great item to use in free roam/range in the summer to keep your rats cool. It’s cheap and very effective. Simply remove the accessories and fill the sink with cold water. Set the tap to run and hopefully your rats will enjoy paddling.
Snugloo
A special cooling chamber you can fill with Mischief Made’s special long lasting cooling packs to create a nice cool room for your rats to relax in when things get too warm.
Supplements
CaCuD3
“An easy-to-use, non-soluble powder made specifically for rats to provide Calcium, Copper and Vitamin D. Many rat owners have difficulty providing enough of these 3 supplements within the daily food consumption so this will fill that void”
Dr Squiggles Calcivet
“This calcium supplement offers great support for healthy teeth and bones with added vitamin D3 and Magnesium. Also essential if you feed a straights diet which might lack Calcium and Vitamin D and thus could lead to deficiencies and health problems”
Dr Squiggles Daily Essentials
“A supplement used in drinking water and contains comprehensive vitamins and Rapisorb minerals. Rats love it and it encourages drinking as it is very palatable. Simply mix into their water bottle/bowls every couple of days for a easy and quick way of giving them those extra nutrients”
Tutorials and Guides
Azuline Rattery
“Retired rat breeder and passionate advocate for advances in pet rat care and enrichment”
Emiology
“I share my life with my rodents and other pets, and you can find fun weekly videos about them here on my channel as well as educational videos about their care!”
Faithful Rattos
“I post videos on YouTube to share my knowledge and experiences and I’m about to embark on a brand new and exciting journey… Starting my own breeding project”
Isamu Rats
Previously dedicated to the keeping and breeding of lovely healthy long lived pet rats. Isamu rats has also written so of the most informative and helpful guides out there you will find.
Lurelin Rats
“This website and the information within it is intended to provide rat owners with a good overview of rat care, and additional resources to find out more. It is almost entirely based on what I have learned and find works best, with some consideration for how others prefer to care for their rats”
Rat Chat Podcast
“There are people who have rats – and then there are rat people! We are two crazy rat ladies discussing all aspects of rat care, diet, health, and behaviour, as well as sharing our own experiences of owning fancy rats. On The Rat Chat, we aim to promote good practice across all aspects of rat ownership”
Shadow The Rat – Rattrixs
“Training is a fun and productive way to engage with your small pet. Rats are intelligent creatures who thrive on mental challenge – and what better way to meet this need than to engage in a fun activity for both of you?”
The Rat Wiki 