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Blazed rat

Blazed describes a marking, not a breed: a white wedge or stripe running up the face from the nose between the eyes, found in combination with several rat varieties including the Berkshire and the variegated.

The animal beneath is the domestic fancy rat, descended from the brown rat and domesticated through the rat-baiting pits of nineteenth-century Britain, where oddly coloured animals were kept aside rather than used. Fancy rats are among the most rewarding small pets available: intelligent, trainable, affectionate towards people, and very easy to keep well once the social requirement is understood.

Origin
A facial marking of the domestic fancy rat
Size
20–25 cm plus tail; 250–500 g
Lifespan
2–3 years
Diet
Formulated rat blocks with fresh vegetables
Temperament
Intelligent, social, affectionate, quick to learn
Housing
Never alone; same-sex pairs or groups

Related: Berkshire rat

2 blazed rat photos, newest first

Blazed rat feed
  • Otter IX, a blazed rat

    Otter IX

    Otter IX rolled out the red carpet, and the bouquet came over her head about a second afterwards.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Otter IX, a blazed rat

    Otter IX

    Otter IX found the one patch of sun in the whole house.

    SunnyHeron · 2 weeks ago

Living with a blazed rat

Keep at least two of the same sex. Rats are social to a degree that makes solitary housing a welfare problem rather than a preference.

Give vertical space — rats climb — with a cage of appropriate bar spacing, plus hammocks, ropes and things to chew.

Avoid pine and cedar bedding and clean often enough that ammonia never builds; respiratory disease is the commonest cause of illness and poor air quality drives it.

Unspayed females have a high rate of mammary tumours; spaying reduces it substantially. Rats are also prone to pituitary tumours in later life.

They learn tricks readily and enjoy the training.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual critters vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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