Some of you are probably like "ew, a rat"...
But I would love one as a pet! I think my want for a rat started earlier this month when I "saved" a baby one from being purposely stepped on (or used as a baseball) by the boys in my local barn. It would probably die later, since I searched and searched and could not find its nest.
Rats are smart and seem like a simple pet for me. I'm owned many small animals or rodents, including rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and hamsters. A rat shouldn't bee too difficult for me.
But aside from my own eccentric amounts of research I will be doing, what are some things about rats that I should know?
Answers:
Rats are definantly a GREAT pet to keep...
Since you have already had experience with many rodents, even fragile ones (chinchilla) than you are right, Rats should be no big deal for you...
Some things to remember...
-They require attention...once tamed, they actually crave attention and need to be handled on a daily basis...
-They need lots of space...a cage with many levels is best...also, no glass aquirium, they need an all wire cage with a metal bottom, make sure the wires are very close together, because if a rat can get thier head through it, they rest will follow...also pay close attention to the door clasps, they are very smart and can open many cages...I use the ones with strong srings and clips...
-They like and benifit from cage mates...with males you have to get two from the same litter, with females, they will usually except any other friendly female...Cage mates will keep them company when you cannot
-They need toys and lots of them, they get board easily...I found that getting many big bird toys and rotating them in and out of the cage helps keep them interested...also setting up a play ground for them out side of the cage is great fun...
They do tend to pee and poo when they walk around, but it is an easy fix...put them back into the cage everytime they do it, and take them out a few mins later,...if you do that everytime they go outside of the cage they will learn and not do it anymore...
They are also easy to potty train inside of the cage...Find where they are going most often and put a litter pan there..put a pellet in it(different than what you are using for bedding...) and put some of their droppings in it...
You have to keep on them though and pick up every dropping and put it into the pan, they will get the point and start only going in the pan...
I have all but 2 or my babies litter trained inside of the cage and all potty trained for outside...
Other than that they are about as easy as anyother animal you have cared for...
I hope this helps...GOOD LUCK!!
I have 2, they make wonderful pets!! My kids love them. Just be sure to socalize and handle them alot when they are young so they become tame.
I used to have 2. One bit my hand, one bit my dad's nose.
I have 4 and ill be getting more soon. Rats are very smart and trainable. Even potty trainable. Make sure to get them as babies and socailize thm a lot or they will be causios of you for quite a while. The only con I can think of is that they do catch peoples colds and flus but so do guinea pigs so you should already know that.
rats are amazing pets!! but il start with the
cons: they drop little spots of pee when they walk over your arms and legs and they kindah smell if you dont clean there cages out every week, they sometimes have skin problems and some sneeze, you have to let them out every day to run around, which if you like rats shouldint be a problem. you should get 2 because rats are social and like other rat companions. and they only live 3 years.
pros: adorable and cute! you cam train them to do many things like to go under your arms and legs so they dont pee on you and to stand on there hind feet (SO CUTE!!) they actually love you and like your company they arent expensive and did i mention how cute they are? smart and cudely they even groom you like you were one of there own :3 they are amazing pets the best pet iv ever owned!
First PLEASE keep a domestic rat as a pet. Wild rodents need to stay wild.
Rats are GREAT pets!
They are like having a very tiny dog with a long naked tail. Yes they are smart and they can even learn to come when called. To get the best rat for a pet try to get a very young one. This way you can teach it to trust you and it will always be gentle. Unfortunately a rat that learns to bite people will always be a biter.
Be sure and provide your rat with the largest and best ventilated cage you can. I have mine in a ferret cage! If they have plenty of space to move around in they are healthier and happier. If the cage has poor ventilation (such as an aquarium) they tend to stink and can even develop pneumonia from breathing the ammonia in their feces. Give them places to hide and something to gnaw on to keep their teeth short and in good shape like a cleaned bone (Pet store) or a piece of wood (not treated). Use shavings for bedding, but not cedar, as the gas it puts off is harmful to rats.
Handle your rat often and always be gentle. Protect them from other pets. (My Siberian/Shepherd can not understand why the rat shouldn't die) Feed them a good variety in their diets and not too many fresh veggies. Always provide them with plenty of fresh water and keep them cool. Rodents can easily overheat.
The worst thing about rats is they only live about two to three years. Losing a special pet is always hard.
check out spaz rats website http://spazrats.tripod.com/
Rats are clean, intelligent, affectionate animals which bond to their human companions in much the same way that dogs do, and with the right care should provide a comparable level of companionship. They are the same species as the wild brown rat, Rattus norvegicus, but have been selectively bred for looks and temperament for at least the last century and are now quite different in temperament from their ancestors. They are far less aggressive towards humans and rival rats, and display a number of behavioural differences from wild rats, which have been noted by researchers.
Rats become very attached to their owners, make playful, sensitive pets, and can be taught to come by name and learn a variety of tricks. Unlike many other rodents, however, rats are a fairly high maintenance pet. They need at least an hour's playtime outside their cage every day. Because they are much more intelligent than many other small animals, rats can suffer greatly if not given enough attention, free-range time, and environmental stimulation. While rats are extremely rewarding pets and will repay any attention and affection you give them a thousand fold, they may not be suitable for everyone; if you cannot guarantee to give your rats at least an hour of quality time every day, then perhaps a lower maintenance pet would be more suitable.
hope this helps!
I love rats! They are so cute, smart and mine lick. They are always ready to play and are fun to talk to because they look at you like they understand.
The bad thing is that you need a big cage. You could get a small one but they run around tons and hate being cooped up. You need to give them a lot of attention and a lot of stimulating toys, chew stick and stuff weekly. For example, I hide my rats food and they always find it butr they enjoy stuff like that. Don't get a wire cage with bars! Well you can but when they pee on a level, it dribbles down and smells after a few days. And when they like you, they pee in little drops on you but its not that bad.
And this is something reaserch won't tell you. When rats turned four weeks old through six weeks old, they go through a fear stage. They may have seemed freindly when you got them but suddlenly everything frightens them. Usually by six weeks they get over it. Thats why you should get rats around six to seven weeks old to prevent this stage. I know because I almost returned my rats because I thought they were to nervous and would not go near me.
But seriosly, they are so easygoing and are one of the best rodents I have ever owned!
rats make the best pets! i have had rats for many, many years and they are so loving. also:
they sort of smell like grape soda - if you keep their cage clean
are cheap and easy to care for
will come when called by their name
usually don't try to run away - but want to be with you
like to ride on your shoulder and go places with you
are super smart
the females are more entergetic
the males are more laid-back
they love you with their whole hearts; you can tell
will always come and give you love (not like cats who just come when they want to...)
actually - since i have had many, cats and dogs also, it has come to be that my rats are my favorite pets!
get a rat - you will be very blessed to have one
they actually change people's lives!
that said, you can go to fancy rat on the internet and pick out some of the sites and look at what they have to say. there are tons. good luck and happy rats :)
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