Forest City Rats began implementing routine health testing in 2026 as part of a long-term commitment to improving colony health, transparency, and biosecurity. Starting in 2027, all pups made available will come from health-tested parents.

Health testing is the next step in our commitment to producing healthy, well-cared-for companion rats. While no breeder can guarantee that a rat will never develop health issues, routine health testing allows us to monitor the overall health status of our colony, identify potential concerns early, and make informed breeding decisions based on objective data rather than assumptions.

Yes, all breeding rats are screened.

Absolutely. Health is only one part of what makes a great companion rat. Before being considered for breeding, rats are evaluated for temperament, confidence, sociability, and overall suitability as pets. We prioritize rats that are friendly, people-oriented, curious, and able to adapt well to normal household life. Rats displaying concerning behavioural traits, such as excessive fearfulness, aggression, or instability, are not considered breeding candidates. Health testing provides valuable information about the physical health of the colony, while temperament evaluation helps ensure that Forest City Rats continues to produce rats that are enjoyable companions and valued members of their families. Because temperament has both genetic and environmental influences, we also place a strong emphasis on early socialization, enrichment, and daily interaction throughout a rat's development.

No breeder can completely eliminate hereditary health risks, and because rats have relatively short lifespans, some health conditions may not become apparent until after a rat has already contributed to the breeding program. However, Forest City Rats carefully tracks the health history of breeding animals, their relatives, and offspring whenever possible. Rats with concerning patterns of hereditary health issues, including recurring tumors, chronic respiratory problems, or other conditions that may have a genetic component, are evaluated carefully and may be removed from breeding plans. Breeding decisions are never based on a single trait. Health history, temperament, structure, longevity, pedigree information, and overall colony goals are all considered together when selecting breeding animals. The goal is to continuously make informed decisions that support healthier future generations while recognizing that no breeding program can guarantee perfect health in a species that is naturally prone to certain conditions.

No. Health testing is a monitoring tool, not a guarantee. Rats are living animals and can still develop illness, tumors, respiratory disease, or age-related conditions throughout their lives. Health testing simply helps ensure that breeding decisions are made using the best available information and that the colony's health status is regularly monitored.

At Forest City Rats, we track just about every sneeze and breath from the moment our rats are born. Detailed record-keeping helps us identify trends within family lines and make informed breeding decisions based on real data, not guesswork.

Forest City Rats uses Research Associates Laboratory (RAL), a veterinary diagnostic laboratory that specializes in rodent health testing and disease surveillance. RAL screens for a variety of infectious agents that can impact rat colonies and provides detailed reports that help breeders make informed decisions about colony health, biosecurity, and breeding practices. For more information about RAL, visit: https://www.vetdna.com/

Forest City Rats performs routine health testing on the breeding colony at least annually, with additional testing conducted as needed based on colony management, new introductions, or any health concerns that arise. Testing is part of an ongoing commitment to monitoring and maintaining the health of the colony, not a one-time event.

Not every individual rat is tested. Instead, only those who are part of our breeding program as tested.

Health testing adds an extra layer of transparency and monitoring to the breeding program. It helps ensure the colony is regularly screened for infectious agents that can affect rat health, supports early detection of potential issues, and informs breeding decisions using objective data. For pet owners, this means greater confidence that rats are being raised in a carefully managed, well-monitored environment where both health and biosecurity are actively prioritized.

Yes. Health testing has strengthened how the breeding program is managed by adding another layer of objective data to guide decisions. It has improved biosecurity practices, reinforced quarantine protocols, and helped shape breeding choices based on documented colony health trends rather than observation alone.

All testing is conducted through Research Associates Laboratory (RAL), a professional veterinary diagnostic lab, using their established sampling and analysis protocols. Samples are collected and submitted in accordance with lab guidelines to ensure proper handling and chain of custody.

New rats are introduced very rarely. Forest City Rats has not actively sought out new breeding animals for years, and the colony is now primarily home-bred. When new rats do come into our household, it is typically through surrenders or exceptional circumstances. In these cases, they undergo a strict quarantine period away from the main colony before any contact with other animals. Health testing supports biosecurity by providing an additional layer of screening and monitoring alongside quarantine and observation. Together, these measures help protect the existing colony and ensure that any new intake is carefully assessed before being integrated into the program.

Any new rats entering the program are placed in a full quarantine period away from the main colony before they have any contact with other animals. During this time, they are housed separately, closely monitored for signs of illness, and observed for changes in appetite, behaviour, and respiratory health. Quarantine is combined with strict biosecurity practices to prevent any potential cross-contamination. Only after a rat has completed quarantine and been assessed as stable are further decisions made regarding long-term housing or integration into the colony.

Health testing is a significant investment, and some of those costs will be reflected in future pricing. However, the goal is not simply to increase prices, it's to invest in higher standards of health monitoring, transparency, and responsible breeding practices.

Health testing allows Forest City Rats to make increasingly informed decisions about colony management and breeding selections. Over time, this contributes to a stronger, more closely monitored breeding program focused on producing healthy, well-socialized companion rats.

Absolutely. Health testing will influence breeding plans, litter timing, or breeding selections. The priority will always be maintaining the health and integrity of the breeding program rather than maximizing the number of litters produced.

Yes. Transparency is important to Forest City Rats. Current colony health testing results and summaries will be made viewable on our website.