Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell if my rat is the right weight?
Unfortunately there is no “right weight” for rats, though rats in the Isamu/Lovecraft line tend to average out at around 300-500g for girls and 500 – 650g for boys when fully grown (around 10-14 months old). Most of the weight is put on in the first few weeks and months.
To get a good idea have a good fell of there bodies they should have a covering of muscle but you should still be able to feel there bones, which should feel rounded not sharp and jutting. When looking at the from above when they are walking along normally, or when they are hanging down straight from your hands there belly shouldn’t stick out, but they also shouldn’t go in a long way. Rats should be roughly cylindrical, with bucks being broader. They also shouldn’t be pear shaped. They also should feel substantial and solid, not squishy or boney. A lot of this will come with experience, and meeting other peoples rats can really help that.
I’m worried my rat is underweight, what do I do?
Firstly unless a rat is very underweight it is generally healthier for them to be slightly underweight rather than over, so don’t worry too much. If you’re not sure whether your right then getting a second opinion such as at a show, or by taking a photo of your rat from a few different angles is worthwhile. If you are sure they are underweight then try feeding them extra, dry mix can work but often taking them aside for a meal of cooked carbohydrate rich food like pasta or rice mixed in some savoury baby food is a good option. In extreme cases when a rat seems ill or very weak feeding foods like coconut milk and cream, avocado, banana and nutrical can be very useful. We are always there to help and offer support and advice if you are worried or unsure.
I’m worried my rat is overweight, what do I do?
The easiest way to get a rat to lose weight is to cut the overall amount of food to the whole group, and increase the amount of exercise they get. Removing any ramps, steps or easy ways around the cage is good for this, as is playing with them with a feather wand. In terms of cutting down food first of all cut back on the treats, selecting healthy treats if you feel you need to give them but controlling the amount strictly. Then cut back on the amount of cooked food they get and any extras, these are often full of calories. The next step is to cut back on their amount of dry mix, try reducing it by ¼ and see how they do on it, going further if needed. It is also well worth scatter feeding and hiding some of there food to make them work harder.
Only some of my rats are too fat, how do I make sure the others don’t starve?
In many cases cutting down the food for all the group works well, mainly targeting the chubby ones, so this is worth trying first. If you have old or unwell rats that already need extra food separate from the rest of the group then make sure they get a bit more to compensate. In a group where some seem a bit skinny, and others a bit fat then try taking out the chubby ones for the first 15 minutes when food goes in, scattering the food around so when the chubby ones go back in they can’t just take over the food bowl
Unfortunately there is no “right weight” for rats, though rats in the Isamu/Lovecraft line tend to average out at around 300-500g for girls and 500 – 650g for boys when fully grown (around 10-14 months old). Most of the weight is put on in the first few weeks and months.
To get a good idea have a good fell of there bodies they should have a covering of muscle but you should still be able to feel there bones, which should feel rounded not sharp and jutting. When looking at the from above when they are walking along normally, or when they are hanging down straight from your hands there belly shouldn’t stick out, but they also shouldn’t go in a long way. Rats should be roughly cylindrical, with bucks being broader. They also shouldn’t be pear shaped. They also should feel substantial and solid, not squishy or boney. A lot of this will come with experience, and meeting other peoples rats can really help that.
I’m worried my rat is underweight, what do I do?
Firstly unless a rat is very underweight it is generally healthier for them to be slightly underweight rather than over, so don’t worry too much. If you’re not sure whether your right then getting a second opinion such as at a show, or by taking a photo of your rat from a few different angles is worthwhile. If you are sure they are underweight then try feeding them extra, dry mix can work but often taking them aside for a meal of cooked carbohydrate rich food like pasta or rice mixed in some savoury baby food is a good option. In extreme cases when a rat seems ill or very weak feeding foods like coconut milk and cream, avocado, banana and nutrical can be very useful. We are always there to help and offer support and advice if you are worried or unsure.
I’m worried my rat is overweight, what do I do?
The easiest way to get a rat to lose weight is to cut the overall amount of food to the whole group, and increase the amount of exercise they get. Removing any ramps, steps or easy ways around the cage is good for this, as is playing with them with a feather wand. In terms of cutting down food first of all cut back on the treats, selecting healthy treats if you feel you need to give them but controlling the amount strictly. Then cut back on the amount of cooked food they get and any extras, these are often full of calories. The next step is to cut back on their amount of dry mix, try reducing it by ¼ and see how they do on it, going further if needed. It is also well worth scatter feeding and hiding some of there food to make them work harder.
Only some of my rats are too fat, how do I make sure the others don’t starve?
In many cases cutting down the food for all the group works well, mainly targeting the chubby ones, so this is worth trying first. If you have old or unwell rats that already need extra food separate from the rest of the group then make sure they get a bit more to compensate. In a group where some seem a bit skinny, and others a bit fat then try taking out the chubby ones for the first 15 minutes when food goes in, scattering the food around so when the chubby ones go back in they can’t just take over the food bowl
