To comfortably house two Dumbos, we’d recommend a minimum cage size of 24 x 12 x 12 inches with more than one level to let them exercise, explore, and to have enough space away from one another. Since Dumbo rats are very sociable animals, they are often adopted in pairs, so our advice with their cage size is the bigger the better! It’s a good idea to invest in a large, good quality cage that provides each of them with the space they need.
You can find further guidance and advice on all the right and wrong foods here. Of course, make sure they always have access to fresh water in their cage too.ĭumbo rats will love to share human food, but it’s important not to let them eat candies or things that may not agree with their tummies. Since Dumbo rats are omnivores, they can eat a wide variety of plant and animal based-foods, so when you’re not feeding them small portions of apple or carrot, they will also enjoy small pieces of tender cooked chicken and cooked eggs. So this will mean feeding them a balanced diet consisting of a mix of soybean meal-based dry food (such as pellets) and an assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables. Male Dumbo rats are typically larger than females.īefore we get into what to feed your Dumbo rat, it is important to realize that rats cannot vomit, so it is crucial to only give them food they can easily digest. Dumbo Rat Sizeįrom nose to tail, you can expect a healthy Dumbo rat to reach 15 and 22 inches in length and weigh anywhere between 8 and 24 ounces (0.5 lbs – 2 lbs) depending on diet, environment or gender. Handle them properly from a young age and your Dumbo rat will grow to be confident and at ease with almost anyone. handled roughly by very small children – so kids aged 6 and older are more appropriate handlers, since they can be trusted to be gentle. Your Dumbo rat can show signs of stress and fidgeting if they are mishandled – i.e. They need time outside of their cage for exercise and to explore beyond the confines of their cage, though they must be supervised at all times in case they accidentally chew through an electric cord or run into some other hazard. Dumbo Rats Behavior and TemperamentĪs above-mentioned, Dumbo rats have a very sweet and docile temperament – it’s often noted that even those who are usually terrified of rats are soon won over by the warm and friendly demeanor of a Dumbo rat! They are known to be very affectionate, sociable pets and can be just as happy snuggling up to their owners as they are exploring their surroundings. They can also have either black or ruby red/ pink eyes and the latter is due to a genetic mutation causing their eyes to have no pigment. Dumbo Rat Colorsĭumbo rats come in similar colors to other domesticated rats, including black, brown, gray, white, blue-ish slate gray or a mix of any 2 or 3 of these. Dumbo rats with certain coat colors and patterns may fetch a slightly higher price among breeders and the average yearly cost of keeping a Dumbo rat (their food, toys, vet bills, etc) will be around $300. Costs of Owning a Dumbo Ratĭumbo rats are a pretty popular pet in the US and fairly affordable, costing roughly between $10 and $20. We’ll outline everything there is to know about keeping the docile Dumbo rat from its typical cost and cage setup to common health issues and reproduction. If Dumbo wasn’t a cute enough moniker for them, Dumbo rats are also affectionately nicknamed “teddy bear rats” because of those big ears and sweet, friendly faces! If you’re considering taking a Dumbo rat home with you or just wish to learn a little more about them, look no further. As hugely sociable creatures, they also love to play with their human owners as much as possible and very rarely bite, making them a safe pet for even young children to handle. Dumbo rats are a joy to care for thanks to their calm, laid back manner. So what are Dumbo rats like as pets? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that they are every bit as sweet in their temperament as they are in their appearance. These adorable rodents are thought to have originated in Asia before becoming popular around the globe, and they are now a favorite pet in households across the US. Dumbo rats are a mutation of the domesticated fancy rat and are instantly recognizable by their large, round ears that sit on the sides of their head instead of up top – much like their lovable Disney namesake, Dumbo the elephant.