My Rat and Me

by Lange, Monika; Steimer, Christine; Holzner, Renate; Steimer, Christine

• ISBN13: 9780764119224
• ISBN10: 0764119222
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-02-01
• Publisher: Barrons Educational Series Inc

Summary

Despite its reputation, a pet rat is clean, friendly, intelligent, eager to please its owners, and easy to train. Books in this series are written especially for inexperienced pet owners, for parents whose kids would like to have a pet, and for kids who simply want to learn more about animals that make good pets. Boys and girls are also introduced to the golden rules of pet care, and are advised on how to create affection and trust between themselves and their pets. Several gatefold pages in each book open wide to display attractive photo essays on animals and their care. Every book in this series contains approximately 80 full-color, high-quality photos, as well as instructive drawings.

Table of Contents

Golden Rules for Care
10 Golden Rules for Equipment	7	(2)
10 Golden Rules for Feeding	9	(2)
10 Golden Rules for Care	11	(3)
take care
Typical Rats
Descendants of World Travelers	14	(1)
Life Underground	14	(2)
Rats Defend Their Territory	16	(1)
Table: What Rats Are Like	16	(1)
Community Living	17	(1)
Tip from the Breeder	18	(1)
Many Offspring	18	(1)
What Rats Eat	19	(1)
A Wary Rat Lives Longer	19	(2)
Domesticated Rats	21	(1)
The Senses at Work	22	(1)
Typical Behaviors	23	(1)
Tip from the Veterinarian	23	(2)
Test: How Well Do You Know Your Rat?	25	(3)
watch it
Building Trust from the Start
Tip from the Therapist	28	(1)
A Foundation of Trust	28	(1)
Settling In	28	(1)
Children and Rats	29	(1)
Table: Your Rats' Wish List	29	(3)
Fold-out Pages: Building Trust Step by Step	32	(3)
Table: Compatibility Test	35	(1)
Fold-out Pages: Roaming Free	36	(6)
love it
Fun and Games with Rats
Fold-out Pages: An Adventure Playground for Rats	42	(1)
Build an Adventure Playground	43	(4)
Test: What Is Your Rat's Personality Type?	47	(1)
Play and Exploration	48	(1)
What Your Rats Like	48	(1)
Test: How Happy Is Your Rat?	49	(2)
Can Rats Learn Tricks?	51	(1)
Biting	51	(1)
Tip from the Pet Store	51	(3)
have fun
Active and Happy in Old Age
How Long Do Rats Live?	54	(1)
How to Recognize an Older Rat	54	(1)
Table: The Autumn of Life	54	(1)
Age-Related Diseases	55	(1)
Tip from the Veterinarian	56	(1)
How Rats Die	56	(1)
Saying Good-bye	57	(1)
When a Rat Loses Its Companion	58	(2)
old & happy
Index	60	(2)
Addresses	62	(2)
Notebook: These Are My Rats	64