Everything you need to keep a Dumbo rat happy, healthy and thriving — written from real experience.
Dumbo rats are known for their low, floppy ears — a bit like Disney's Dumbo. Their care is exactly the same as any pet rat, because they are pet rats: Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) simply bred to look this way.
They're bred as pets rather than as feeders, so they get lots of handling from a young age and are generally friendly. They originate from the USA and aren't found in the wild — they've been specifically bred to be companion animals.
Rats are interesting, low-maintenance and affordable pets. They're comfortable in their own environment and cope well with long periods without human interaction during the day.
They rarely get sick — they're naturally immune to many illnesses — they groom themselves, and they genuinely enjoy being petted. They're also surprisingly clever: you can teach them simple things like responding to their name or standing up on their back legs.
Rats are omnivores and thrive on a varied diet of specialised rat food plus suitable fruit and veg. They mainly feed at dawn and dusk, so feed twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening.
They eat some of their own droppings (caecotrophs) to absorb nutrients — this is completely normal and healthy.
Aim for roughly 60 calories a day. Rat pellets should be at least 16% protein and 4–5% fat. Offer about 1 tablespoon of good-quality rat food per rat per day. Obesity is common in rats, so keep an eye on portions and give plenty of exercise. Around 10–20% of the diet can be fresh fruit and veg.
Mixing in a little foraging and enrichment keeps mealtimes fun and their minds busy.
| Day | Food | How to serve it |
|---|---|---|
| Mon | Rat pellets + carrot & broccoli | Pellets in a bowl, veg hidden in a cardboard tube |
| Tue | Pellets + dried mealworms | Pellets scatter-fed, 1–2 mealworms in a bowl |
| Wed | Pellets + melon & peas | Served in bowls |
| Thu | Pellets + boiled chicken & sweet peppers | Pellets in a puzzle feed ball, chicken & peppers in a bowl |
| Fri | Pellets + cucumber & broccoli | Veg hidden in a cardboard box |
| Sat | Pellets + apple, broccoli & a little bread | Fruit scatter-fed, bread hand-fed |
| Sun | Pellets + parsley & banana | Pellets in a puzzle feeder, fruit/veg hidden in a box |
A nutritionally complete pelleted rodent food provides everything they need — extra vitamins aren't usually required.
Dumbo rats are sociable and thrive on company. Keep at least 2 together so they don't get lonely and stay mentally stimulated.
Give them a spacious cage with multiple levels — a minimum of about 2 × 2 ft of floor space per rat, and bigger is always better.
Provide soft, absorbent bedding for nesting, warmth and comfort.
Add plenty of hiding spots, tunnels and toys, plus things to gnaw on to keep their teeth a healthy length.
Keep the room around 65–75°F (about 18–24°C). Rats are sensitive to extremes, and good ventilation prevents ammonia build-up from their waste.
Once settled, rats rarely try to escape — but they love to chew, so a wooden enclosure can be gnawed straight through. Use a secure, chew-proof cage.
To pick your rat up, place one hand under the chest, then hold them close to your body so they feel safe and secure. Some rats even love to ride around on your shoulder!
Build trust by resting your hand in the enclosure and letting them sniff you, and through treat training and scent recognition, so they come to associate you with good things.
Even when they seem perfectly well, rats should see a vet at least once a year.
Do regular home health checks in this order, noting anything abnormal:
Obesity, overgrown teeth, tumours and breathing problems.
Sneezing, lethargy, laboured breathing and weight loss.
Rats are naturally nocturnal, so they're most active at night and around dawn and dusk.