Rats are intelligent and inquisitive animals that have an average lifespan of three-to-four years. Like all pets they rely on us to give them the things they need to be healthy and happy, in return for the enjoyment they give us.
All animals, including rats, need five things to be healthy and happy:
These are called the five welfare needs and under the Animal Welfare Act (2006) all owners need to provide these five things for the pets they keep. The following sections give information on how to care for rats, and how we can meet their five welfare needs to ensure they stay healthy and happy.
