Rat Care

In Barn Hunt, we consider rats our working partners in the sport. At all times, the utmost care and respect must be given to these incredible animals who help keep our sport true to the instinct test that it is.

Rats are bold, brave, intelligent, and curious. We do not tolerate rat abuse in this sport. We allow only domestic pet rats that are free of the diseases found in wild rat populations. They load happily into their safe, well-ventilated tubes and are given plenty of breaks and treats! Rats are denning animals, and love to have a safe place to hang out. Many of them fall asleep in the tubes. Sometimes they actively interact with the dogs. One testament to the care we give our rats is that so many live well beyond their expected lifespan of about 2 years.

With the help of knowlegable rat care expert Victoria Johnson, we are developing rat care guidelines for all Clubs and anyone else interested in housing rats. This part of the website will be expanding, so keep your eye on it!

Integrating Rats Together

Rat Age, Size, and Growth