Where To Buy Rats - A Comprehensive Guide

Where To Buy Rats - A Comprehensive Guide

Option 1. Rat Breeders

If you are a first-time rat owner, I recommend going to a reputable rat breeder for your first rats. Buying from a breeder will ensure you get quality rats who have been bred for good temperament and health.

Not only this, but reputable breeders will be with you through the journey of you and your rats’ lives. Many of them care so much for the rats they breed they have a clause in their adoption agreement that if the adopter ever needs to give up the rats, they go back to their rattery.

Keep in mind, popular rat breeders usually have a waiting list on their litters, so if you are approved for adoption, it may be weeks to months before you can pick up some babies.

This holds especially true if you are wanting a particular color, coat, or ear type. The more popular types of pet rats tend to lead to longer waiting lists. Speak to the particular breeder about their average wait time for adoption. 

If you’re interested in an older rat, many breeders also have the option of adopting their retired breeders. These are older rats who are past their breeding age but have been well loved and taken care of, making great pets. 

For more information on adopting rats from a breeder, visit my article Rat Breeders - Are They Really Worth It?

Option 2. Rat Rescues Or Shelters

Another option if you’re wondering where to buy rats and are interested in taking in a previously unwanted rat is adopting from a rescue or shelter.

Depending on the guidelines of the rescue and how long their adoption process takes, you may be able to get a rat faster here than from a breeder. There likely won't be as much variance in color or type of rat, due to the nature of their operation.

The rats available will be rats who have been either rescued from abusive situations/abandonment, or freely given up by owners who no longer want their rats or can no longer provide the care they need.

You may be set on getting baby rats, and think, don’t rescues only have older rats? While it’s true they take in a lot of older, unwanted rats, rescues do adopt out babies, whether obtained from rescue or from a litter from a pregnant rescued female!

When you adopt from a rescue, you are also supporting the organization, and helping to fund them so they can continue doing the good work in giving these rats a new lease on life.

The only downside of shelters and rescues is you won’t always know the background of the rats you are getting. However, the rescue workers will have a good idea of the rat’s personality, and be able to pair you with some rats who are perfect for your situation.

For more information on adopting rats from rescues, visit my article Rat Rescue - A Much Needed Service!

Option 3. Pet Stores

If you are looking for a quick, cheap purchase, you can get rats from a pet store, but I would not recommend it. Pet store rats are a gamble when it comes to health and temperament.

Because pet stores are trying to make a profit, the majority of them get their rats from rat mills, where babies are produced in mass with little regard to their health, as most of the babies will end up being sold as reptile food.

I’ve known people who have gotten lucky getting healthy rats with friendly temperaments from chain pet stores, but it’s a shot in the dark.

Just as easily, you could end up with a rat that costs tons of money in vet fees in the first year due to a preexisting illness. Or a rat that is unsocialized and is much harder to tame than a rat that's been handled since birth. Another common occurrence is ending up with a female rat that is already pregnant, and all of a sudden you have a whole litter to care for!

While you may get lucky and end up with great rats, there is the moral dilemma as well. Pet stores that sell animals are not great places to support, as they necessitate the use of animal mills for obtaining cheap animals to sell. 

For more information on buying rats from pet stores, visit my article Pet Store Rats - The Ugly Truth.

Other Options Of Where To Buy Rats

The previous three options aren’t the only places you can get pet rats from, but they are certainly the easiest and most common. Any other option requires some digging on the internet, or a whole lot of luck!

Pet rats are sometimes for sale on Craigslist or other local sales sites. Often, these sales include a cage and other care equipment along with the rat(s).

Buying rats from these sites can be a little dodgy, as you won’t always know their background, and the cage and care equipment isn’t always rat safe (for example: if they are selling a tank as a cage with the rat).

Be sure to do adequate research into what the rats will need when you are adopting from places where you may not get correct (or any) information on the rats! Dig into why they are selling the rats (behavioral issues, sickness, just got bored of them) so you aren't blindsided when you bring your new friends home.

I’ve also known multiple people who have taken in rats for friends who couldn’t care for them anymore or whose rat had an accidental litter and they needed to re-home the babies.

This is a great option, as you are not only helping a friend (or a friend of a friend) out, you are providing their rats with the love and care they need. You will also know the rats’ background and handling.

The final way to obtain rats is to, well, find them! Hold on, I’m not talking about going out into the wild and coming home with a wild rat.

Handling a wild rat can be dangerous! if you find one in need of help, contact your local Wildlife Rescue.

What I mean by finding one is, sadly, people will sometimes set their rats free when they don’t want them anymore. These rats are sometimes left outside in cages, or just left to free roam.

If you find a domesticated rat loose, and decide to keep him, make sure you get him a couple of friends as soon as possible! Following, of course, proper quarantine and introductions. 

I would also advise bringing said found rat to the local vet for a check-up, to make sure he isn't suffering from any disease or carrying anything your rats at home could pick up.

Final Thoughts

Where to get your pet rats can be a daunting decision! There are more options than you think, and many reasons to go with each one.

The choice is ultimately up to you, but to gain further knowledge on where to buy pet rats, visit my in-depth articles on Rat Breeders, Rat Rescues, and Pet Store Rats.

Where did you get your rats? Tell me your story below!