David, they eat rat nuggets which you can find in pet stores, better than muesli mixes as they get all the nutrients and vitamins in one nugget instead of picking out the bits they ‘like’ and not getting the full mix of goodness they need.

Mine are called Meki and Ryn, Meki is more laid back like a male and will sit for hours in my lap but Ryn is like a ninja, she’s always on the go exploring and trying to steal my food. She has learned her name, gives paw, begs and spins in a circle when told to. She also chatters to me when I click my tongue at her when she’s on my shoulder, it’s so cute!

Anyway, they are 7 months old now and were very tame within a week. They jump like little kangaroos when happy and always make me laugh and cheer me up when it’s crap weather.

They do take a lot of looking after as they can become ill very easily if not cared for properly. Meki had myco when i got her which developed into bronchitis and pneumonia which has now left her with scarred lungs and needing nubulising every few days for life. Her treatment has cost £350 so far (the pet shop paid all of this, and any future treatment for life, and hopefully learned a lesson in decent animal care)

NEVER BUY RATS FROM PET SHOPS FOR THIS REASON, ALWAYS GO TO A HEALTH BREEDER (google for your area)

ALWAYS GET AT LEAST TWO RATS OF THE SAME SEX AT THE SAME TIME (or it becomes like solitary confinement in prison for a lone rat, very boring and detrimental to their mental health)

Hope I helped somebody thinking of getting rats, make sure you get a big enough cage as well, mine is 1 metre tall and they love it!