by Debbie Ducommun
Softcover, 112 pages
1998
BowTie Press
3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618
ISBN# 1-889540-05-6
I love this book! Like the title says, it's an extremely fun book about rats and rat care. It's packed with great photos and wonderful tidbits of information. The author, Debbie Ducommun, runs the Rat Fan Club and has published a previous booklet, Rat Health Care. With her newsletter, The Rat Report, and her television appearances, she has done a great deal to help improve rats' image in this country and around the world.
This, her latest book, is a real treat for rat lovers and is very useful for people who are looking to get their first rat. As she says, "Many people who get rats for the first time are unprepared for how personable and interactive they are." With this book in hand, there's no reason to be unprepared! The beginning chapter discusses rats and their relationship with humans throughout history along with information on types of rats and how rats live and communicate. Ducommun then moves on to giving an idea of what it's like to be owned by a rat and how to choose the right rat for you. Following this is information on how to make your rats feel at home, including an excellent discussion of safe litters, foods and details on choosing fun rat toys. She also has a wonderful chapter on making friends with your rat, which will help you interact with your rat and give you a better understanding of how your rat thinks.
The highlights of the book are the section on health care and the section on fun things to do with rats. Debbie is very knowledgeable about rat health and gives many good suggestions for things you and your vet need to look for. She discusses spaying and neutering as well as caring for elderly rats. The section on nursing ill rats and caring for rats after surgery is also excellent. While not as thorough as her Rat Health Care booklet, it's a good place to get a basic idea of rat health needs. Debbie is also very talented at teaching rats tricks, and she shares some of her best ones in the next chapter. From teaching your rat to climb and balance on ropes to pulling up a treat-filled basket, you'll get a good idea of ways to interact better with your rats. She also lists some games rats like with ideas for hide-and-seek, finger tunnels and more. Great fun!
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