Rat Breeders - Are They Really Worth It?

When me and my husband first looked into getting rats, we had a bit of sticker shock from the price of rats of local rat breeders. Was the more expensive upfront cost worth it?

The answer is yes. If you are a new rat owner, breeders are the best option. They offer rats that are well-bred, friendly, and fairly low maintenance as far as rats go. As with everything, there are exceptions to the rule, but if you put the research and time in, you can find a great breeder who will provide you with amazing rats and a wonderful first-time rat experience!

While breeders are the best option for new rat owners, you need to do your part in finding an reputable one. Getting rats from a non-reputable, or "backyard breeder" is not the same as buying from a reputable rat breeder.

Pros and Cons of Rat Breeders

The pros of getting rats from a local rat breeder are many, and the cons are few. Besides being able to choose your favorite color and type of rats, most importantly you get rats with overall good health and temperament. 

Pros

Because responsible breeders take the time and effort to ensure they have strong breeding lines, the rats they produce are healthy, happy rats! For you, this means a rat that isn’t going to be aggressive towards you or show signs of early deterioration from bad genetics.



Good rat breeders only want the best for their rats. Most offer great advice for new rat owners, and continuing advice throughout the rats’ lives if you have any questions. This is one of my favorite things about buying from a breeder. You don’t only get rats, you gain a community. Most breeders will also take any rats bought from them back if it's just not working out.

While personalities of rats vary, rats from breeders tend to have consistently good temperaments. This means a rat that isn’t going to bite you out of fear or aggression and is going to acclimate well to its new home.

A reputable breeder is also going to breed their lines for good health and longevity. Rats are notorious for contracting URIs, so starting off on a good foot with a breeder who is focusing on breeding for a long life and keeping their rats in a healthy environment is a huge bonus!

While a good breeder will focus first and foremost on health and temperament, many rat breeders also specialize in certain coat colors or types. Finding a rattery that has a strong line for the color or type you want ensures you will get exactly what you are looking for.

Cons

I have found only two cons (if you can call them that) of purchasing from a reputable breeder. The first is the price. Depending on the breeder, their demand, and where you live, the cost of the rats may vary greatly. In my opinion, this shouldn’t be a deterrent, as purchasing your rats is going to be the cheapest part of owning them.

The second con is breeders aren’t always near to where you may live. In this case, I highly recommend doing sufficient research into local breeders, as some are smaller and hard to find online. If you are really having a hard time locating one, reach out to me and I will do my best to set you up with one! 

If the only breeder you can find is multiple hours away, don’t let that stop you! While it is sad to not pick up your baby rats yourself (I’ve been there), if you cannot make the drive yourself, see if you can arrange for a friend or someone you trust who may be coming from that area to pick your new rats up for you. You can also speak to the breeder about shipping options.

Why is it Important to Find a "Good" Breeder?

An important note – just because someone calls themselves a breeder does NOT make them a responsible one. If you find a rattery near you, make sure to do thorough research into their operations and current rats to ensure you are not buying from a backyard breeder, or someone trying to make a quick buck.

A good method to use is to find all the breeders near you, and to use a funnel to weed out the ones you aren’t interested in or show red flags. From there, you can break it down to a few breeders who have the qualifications you are looking for. At that point, reach out to the breeders to ask any questions you have, check out their litters if they have them on their website, and see which one feels like the right fit for you. 

How Do I Find a Rat Breeder?

So you’ve come to the point where you’re ready to search for the perfect breeder for the type of rats you want. Where to go from here? In this day and age, there are many tools available to find a good rat breeder in your area. A good starting point is to refer to a Rat Breeder Directory.

Another great option is searching “rat breeders near me” on Google. This will show top breeders who have a presence on the internet. Most breeders nowadays have a website or Facebook page with information about their rattery. Many of their websites not only list their rats and litters, but also provide excellent information for new rat owners. Reviewing this information is very helpful when searching for a rat breeder who has the same viewpoints as you in regard to rat care.  

Still having trouble finding anything close to you? Reach out over phone or email to any local vets or animal rescues in your area! They will likely know of any good rat breeders nearby they can put you in contact with. 

Signs of a Good Rattery

There are two types of ratteries, open and closed. An open rattery will allow you to come to the business and see the rats, cages, and litters. A closed rattery does not allow any visitors and will usually meet at a location away from the rattery for the adoptions.

Upon first look, the open rattery seems to be the more reputable one. However, there is good reason some ratteries are closed to the public. Besides the fact that many breeders operate outside of their personal homes, keeping the general public away from their breeding stock and litters keeps risk of infection and disease down.

If you do not know the breeder and you don’t know anyone who has purchased from them, I would advise requesting pictures or videos of their set up to ensure the animals are being well taken care of. If they refuse, this could be a red flag.

A few signs to watch out for in pictures and videos of their setup are a dirty environment, cramped living quarters, and unhealthy-looking rats. If they appear to be using a bedding unsuited for rats question the breeder in more detail. For example, if they are using shavings, be sure they are using dust extracted, kiln dried shavings (the only kind that’s ok for rats).

A huge red flag when searching for pet rats is a breeder who is willing to sell you a lone rat. Rats are social animals and need to be with at least one other rat to be happy. If a breeder is willing to sell you just one rat, they are NOT a good breeder.

A breeder should be happy to address any of your concerns. If a breeder refuses to answer your questions, or even if you get a bad feeling from them, it’s better to walk away. Especially if these are your first rats, you’ll want the support system that comes with purchasing from a reputable breeder.

Related Questions

What Are My Options For Where To Get Rats?

The three main options of where to get pet rats are from breeders (covered in this article), a rescue or shelter, and pet stores. Each has their pros and cons, and while there are other options as well, you are going to have more luck finding pet rats at one of these options than elsewhere.

For a complete breakdown of the options and benefits of each, as well as some lesser known options, head on over to Where To Buy Rats - A Comprehensive Guide!

How Much Do Rats Cost?

While you may be tempted to think rats are a cheap pet to own, you would be sorely mistaken. Yes, the initial purchase of them is rather cheap, but the care they require after this point can be extensive!

Rats themselves cost around an average of $15-30. Now you have to take into account not only their new cage, bedding, and food, but vet costs as well. Since rats are prone to Upper Respiratory Infections, and female rats especially to tumors, be prepared to spend a good amount on vet fees each year for each rat you own.

For a breakdown of the total cost to set up for your new rats, and the average monthly cost thereafter, head over to How Much Do Rats Cost - Everything You Need To Know.

Final Thoughts

While I'm not the one to say rat breeders are the ONLY option, they are a great one. If you find the right one, you not only get well bred rats, but a great support system!

Have you ever bought from a breeder? Tell me your experiences below!