A Pink-Eyed White (PEW) rat is one of the most immediately recognizable rats in the world; it is pure white, with no markings or shadings of any kind, with bright pink eyes. Often referred to as "lab rats," PEWs are the first rats to appear in history as being bred and kept specifically as pets, beginning the rat fancy.

A true PEW is simply an albino rat. As such, it should be a pristine looking animal. Unfortunately, white fur tends to pick up dirt, so a rat kept on dirty, dyed or recycled litter will grow dingy in a hurry. As they age, they may tend to "yellowing" especially in males, and especially along the back. Because they have no protective pigment in their eyes, most PEWs have extremely poor vision, and may sway their heads in an effort to get their bearings on objects distant from them.

A PEW is not the same as a Triple Dilute, though they may be identical in appearance.

c/c

A true PEW carries a double recessive "albino" gene on the full color/no color "C" locus of a rat's genes. The c/c combination completely masks all color expression on the rest of the rat's body.

Masking is a key word. A true PEW may be - and breed as - ANY color. Without looking at the pedigree and/or breeding the rat to a known color, there is simply no way to tell what colors are being covered by the expression of albinism in the rat. However, PEW breeds as any other recessive - all offspring of a PEW will carry a copy of the "c" gene, though they may be full-colored themselves.

The albino gene in conjunction with the Siamese gene causes a Himalayan rat.

AFRMA

"Color is a pure clean white, free from ivory, cream, or beige tint. Eye color is red."

RSA

"Color: Pure clean white without staining or creamy tinge. Fault: any colored hairs to be severely penalized. Eye Color: Pink."

RatsPacNW

"All white, no spotting, pink eyes"

URS

"Pure snow white, clean with bright red eyes.

Faults: yellowing, staining, hint of color"

Pink-Eyed White Doe (c) Emily Evenson