Here are the five pluses of keeping rats, an often overlooked pet.
1.Rats are affectionate.
Unlike most small animals, such as hamsters and gerbils, rats know how to love and even how to recognize their caretakers. Some rat owners,such as my myself, claim that the affection some rats can give can rival that of a dog.
2.Rats don't take up a lot of space.
Rats only require about two square feet of space, a bit more if you decide to buy them a larger cage.
3.Rats can be affordable.
Rats don't break the bank when it comes to money. Food and bedding costs run low if you find the right store, and money can be saved if you potty train your rat(yes, it can be done!) and if you feed your rat a homemade diet(see Suebee's diet on the RMCA website). Toys can be made at home- a pant leg from slacks or a chicken bone make good toys for rats.
4.Rats make excellent first pets for children.
Hamsters aren't always the best choice when it comes to first pets for children(However, please supervise young children when they handle rats)- choose rats instead! These easygoing creatures don't mind if they get awoken while taking a nap and are ALOT less aggressive than most other small animals.
5.Rats are low maintenance.
Rats need their water and food bowels cleaned and filled daily(include fresh food). Rats only need about 30 minutes of attention from you a day(compare that with a cat, dog, or ferret). And of course, your rat could use a yearly check up from the vet and a clean, disinfected cage every week.
My rats all use their litter tray, and I have no concerns on catching anything, well no more than catching something from a cat, dog rabbit etc etc. Responsible owners will wash their hands after touching their pets or cleaning cages. In fact I am more worried about them catching a cold from me! xx RATS RULE.
Rats make brilliant pets! they are the most friendliest of rodents my pet rat maisy is happy chewing up toilet roll and eating bourbons if you want a pet get a rat!!!!!
I am interested in having a Rat for a pet. I live in Denver,CO and am a single person. Any ideas where would the best place to go to purchase a pet rat? Thank you for any help
Pia--before you slander rats, you should probably try and get to know a pet rat yourself. Diseases? A well-cared for PET--pet being the key word--rat shouldn't have diseases at all. I'm a staunch atheist, and I don't have anything against people with such religious beliefs. However, when people bring up God and how you should do things to please Him, in a completely non-religious setting, it makes me mad. And, although I have wandered a bit from rats, rats are very friendly, even cuddly creatures. So, Pia, if you're so against rats, please stay out of the rat discussion topics.
Interesting feedback from many people. I used to have as many as 10 rats and absolutely love them!! I handled them since they were babies and never once was bitten. They were all very gentle, loving, and were extremely intelligent creatures. I'd got hamsters and guinea pigs before but none came close to the joy of keeping rats. I bathed them one by one with a normal hair shampoo once a week, and they loved to swim! I did not keep them in a cage, but rather an open top "playpen" and while once or twice, some may "escape", they always returned to their home by themselves. Each had a name and one of them was a "gifted" rat who knew its name when called - could also begged to be carried. One lived in my flower pot outside my apartment and would "greet" visitors. All these memories were 20 years old. I'm looking to start getting a rat as a pet again and is looking around the internet to get some information when I found this site and thought I'll share some of my experiences. Rats make excellent pets - better than other rodents.
I JUST GOT A RAT A FEW WEEKS AGO. AND SHE BITES ME FROM TIME TO TIME BUT NOTHING MAJOR ITS ALMOST LIKE A LOVE BITE. THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE IS THAT MINE LIKES TO POOP ON ME WHEN EVER I TAKE HER OUT. BUT ALL IN ALL SHES VERY LOVABLE. WHEN I'M WORKING AT MY COMPUTER SHE'LL WALK AROUND ON MY SHOULDERS OR JUST SIT THERE AND WATCH ME.
Well, I'll try this again...overlook if it sends twice! I love my rat! I've had 2 over the years and never been bitten by either one, although I get lots of lil rat kisses when I hold him :-) They make wonderful pets, and much better for kids than a hamster or gerbil. Never had one wander away from me when out, so I don't worry about them running away and hiding! And they are very eager to get out and play so no chasing them around the cage to catch them!!!
As for diseases and bad bites, those are really just myths. Rats are virtually disease-free (at least diseases that humans can catch), and rats are really quite trusting and affectionate, biting on extremely rare occasions. Most of the bad reputation that rats have is due to what our society makes of wild rats - an entirely different thing from a pet rat, mind you. The difference between wild and tame rats is really like the difference between a dog and a wolf. Also, remeber - its not like we're saving the rats and excluding the humans, we're having them as pets.
I have two pet rats (naked rats) named Cross and Stitch. They both have their own distinct personalities. They love to play with me and give kisses. They are almost odourless (unless you are lazy and don't clean their cage) and they don't bark. They are one of the most intelligent rodents you can find. They are inexpensive to purchase, inexpensive to keep, and, in return, give you lots of love. A cage is not necessary as long as you rat-proof your home. All in all, if you are an apartment dweller like me, they are great pets, and friends, to have and you don't have to take them for a walk!!!
I'm reading this with such disgust.. my mouth is hanging. Are you all insane? Do you not worry about diseases? There is nothing loving about a rat-- please put some thought and time into a lonely or sick human being instead. You can be assured that God will be more pleased with you.
Rats are precious! They're so much fun. A couple of years ago I had to have my pet, Ratzo Rizzo, put down to save her from suffering through heart failure. I miss her still. One of my friends had a rat who saved her life because her pet woke her up by licking her face when the house caught fire! God made no useless creatures!
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