How Much Do Feed Rats Cost

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How Much Do Rats Cost – Everything You Need To Know

So you've decided to get some pet rats. Great! Now it's time to nail down how much rats are really going to cost you.

While buying a pet rats won't cost you much (an average of $15-30 each), you have to consider all the additional costs to owning a rat. These include:

·        Cages

·        Bedding/Litter

·        Food

·        Cage Accessories

·        Vet Bills

With these additional needs, the average start up cost for two rats is an average of $200, and the average monthly cost is $100.

Yes, it is often a misconception that rats are a cheap pet. But we researched how much rats cost per month on average, and found that to not always be the case!

The Cost Of Pet Rats

The beginning of the journey into how much do rats cost does not begin with the rats, but with the setup. Before you can purchase your new rats, you need someplace to keep them!

CAGES

Rat cages can be expensive. For example, I paid $150 for my Critter Nation rat cage (which I highly recommend) and later bought the add on to make it a Double Critter Nation to give my girls more space.

Now, you don't need to go out and break the bank on cages. You can find new cages that are suitable for your rats' needs for around $75 or lower, but make sure you get a cage which will:

1.     Keep your rats in

2.     Give them enough space

3.     Not be a nightmare to clean

Another great option for buying a rat cage is to look on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for people selling them used. Trust me, your rats are not going to care if the cage is shiny and new or a bit used!

The cage is the most expensive upfront cost of setting up for your pet rats, but now you need to fill the cage. Deciding what bedding you are going to use can be difficult, as there are so many varieties.

BEDDING

When I first started out, I used fleece, thinking it was going to be a nice cheap option (I could get 2 yards of it for around $15).

Oh boy was I wrong! The fleece itself was cheap, but my rats shredded it, and I had a high water bill from having to wash it so often.

Regular bedding that is safe for rats is going to cost anywhere from $17-20 for a bag that will last you a month or longer, if you have a cage the same size of a Critter Nation.

Be sure any wire flooring is covered, as it can cause harm to a rat's feet.

FOOD

The next item of cost is the food! Rats are small, so they don't eat a lot. Feeding 2 rats for a month, is going to cost an average of $15-20.

Giving them varied fruits and veggies in moderation is good for them as well, and as a bonus is a negligible cost, as you can grab anything rat safe from the fridge or counter and cut it up for them.

Keep in mind rats need a balanced diet, so unless you are experienced in rat nutrition and how to create a balanced diet, block food from brands such as Oxbow , Mazuri , or Science Selective are best for them.

CAGE ACCESSORIES

This is where the cost is going to vary a bit. Essential cage accessories, such as a water bottle and some kind of hide or hammock for them to sleep in, are only going to cost you about $20-30.

I recommend having some enrichment toys inside of their cage as well, whether that is some ropes, ladders, or other things for them to climb on and interact with.

These vary in cost depending on where you get them. You can buy hammocks on Etsy for around $15 or go to the dollar store and get crafty for only a few dollars!

The thing about rats is, they love to chew! Depending on your rats, they may destroy their hammocks sooner rather than later and they will need to be replaced.

THE RATS

Now that you're all set up for your new rats, it's time to decide where you want to buy them from! Generally, the options are: rat breeder, rescue, or pet shop. Read the benefits of each at Where To Buy Rats - A Comprehensive Guide.

When you purchase rats from a breeder , expect to pay a little more than the average cost. Generally, a rat from a breeder will cost around $30.

Keep in mind this price is an average and can vary depending on the type of rat. Occasionally certain types of pet rats will be sold for upwards of $100 each!

Also, reputable breeders will not sell a lone rat, so be prepared to pay $60-90 for getting two or three rats. Some breeders do offer deals if you purchase more than two rats, so this is something you can inquire about.

Adopting rats from a rescue generally costs around $15, depending on the rescue. Often the adoption fee varies (young rats having a higher adoption fee than elderly rats).

If the rats are neutered or spayed, the adoption fee goes up significantly, to cover the cost of the procedure. To purchase a neutered/spayed rat from a shelter, be prepared to pay at least $50 per rat.

Getting your rats from the pet store like Petco is the "cheapest" option, at around $10 a rat depending on where you live. I say "cheapest" because while they cost almost nothing upfront, pet store rats can be known to rack up the vet bills.

VET BILLS

The cost of veterinary care… not something many new rat owners consider! However, because rats are considered an exotic animal, it can be hard to find a good rat veterinarian, and prices can get fairly high.

To bring your rats in for a check up (and you should have at least two ), is going to cost around $40 a rat. As your rats get older, bringing them in to get checked up is recommended, as rats are very good at hiding their illnesses.

Rats are very prone to URIs (Upper Respiratory Infections) and so will likely need to visit the vet to get check ups and prescribed medication. Plan to spend around $75-100 a visit, or more if your rat requires more attention, such as an overnight stay.

Another medical problem common in rats is tumors , especially in female rats. As you can imagine, surgery is expensive. The data I found in my research said tumor removal will be $35-150, but the real cost is usually higher than this from what I've seen.

Take into account you will own at least two rats when looking at the vet bills above, and you can see how rats can go from a "cheap" pet, to an expensive one very quickly.

Reference the below charts for the average startup costs for two rats and the average monthly cost for two rats. Keep in mind this is an average and is subject to change if extensive veterinary care is needed.

Additional Costs Of Pet Rats

It may seem like you've already spent so much on your pet rats, but we're not done yet! While these following costs are optional, they're all important to cover as they serve importance in the rat's life.

· Clutter – Rats love it! You may have seen some rat cage inspiration videos on YouTube and been overwhelmed by how much stuff is in the rats' cage. Don't be! Dollar stores are great places to find interesting things to fill your rats' cage with, such as baskets, ropes and other things for $1 each.

· Treats – While not necessary, believe me, you'll want to give your rats treats. Most rats go crazy over Yogis or mealworms! Treats are fairly cheap, usually around $3-5, and last a while, as it's important to feed treats in moderation.

· Free Roam Area – It's important for rats to have an area they can free roam outside of their cage. The nice thing is, this doesn't have to cost you anything! The cheapest option is to tape cardboard boxes together, or to have a designated room they can run around in. From there, you can use tissue boxes, cardboard, and other things around the house to create a fun environment for them to explore.

If you want more fancy of a setup, you can purchase a playpen type set up for $35-50. Rats are EXCELLENT escape artists, so make sure the pen is suitable to contain rats! Another great option to buy for a free roam area is a cat tree, which varies in price from $50-150.

· Litter boxes – Yes, you can litter train rats! If you are wanting to go this route, you can purchase a litter box for $10-15. You will have to change the litter at least once of week, so depending on what kind of litter you use this cost will vary. A great option is a 30lb bag of Yesterday's News . It only costs $20 and last for multiple months. Make sure you are using litter suitable for rats!

· Spaying/Neutering – Spaying and neutering rats is an option many people go for, whether to reduce the chance of tumors later in life or to curb aggression. If you decide to spay or neuter your rat, be prepared to spend $50-100, barring complications.

The Importance Of An Emergency Fund

As discussed earlier, rats can get sick very quickly as well as have freak accidents! You don't want to be blindsided when it comes to the health of your rats.

This is why it is so important to have an emergency vet fund for your rats. It is best to have at least $200 put away for each rat you own, in case of accidents or sudden illness, and to replenish the fund as soon as possible if you use any of it.

Another thing us pet owners don't like to think about is when our pet rat will need to be humanely put to sleep. It is cruel to let your pet suffer, so you need to have that fund so you are able to do what is best for your pet rats when it is their time.

Cutting Costs

To start off, I do not condone cutting costs when it comes to veterinary care. Rats are very small creatures and can be hard to treat. Please pay a vet to diagnose and prescribe treatment instead of using home remedy methods, as this can cause more harm than good.

Though, there's quite a few other areas you can cut down the cost of owning rats:

· Cages – As stated earlier, look for a used cage instead of paying big bucks for a new deluxe one! There is also the option of building a DYI rat cage (though this probably won't save much money when you factor in the materials plus all the work)!

· Food – Buy in bulk! While the upfront cost is more expensive, if you buy the bigger bags of food, it will save you in the long run. You can also make your own treats, saving a little money on their snacks!

· Use Boxes – Cardboard boxes are great for making little rat houses, ramps, and all sorts of fun things for rats to explore, and the best part – it's free! I will also put tissue boxes in my rats' cage and they go nuts for it!

· Get Creative – There are so many ideas on YouTube and the internet for making fun toys for your rats from cheap supplies. While they need a lot of stimulation for their brains, it doesn't have to cost a lot to entertain them!

Final Thoughts

While the cost of pet rats certainly isn't cheap, it's worth it! They are incredible pets, and while they can get expensive, as long as you have a budget set aside it is definitely manageable.

Do you have a creative way to save money on your rats? I'd love to hear it!

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Source: https://www.awrats.com/how-much-do-rats-cost-everything-you-need-to-know

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