Rats make sweet pets. They are excellent beginner pets for children. Especially, kids during the stage where they need a trusted friend. Young children should be supervised around the rat. Rats are a good choice as a pet if you live in an apartment where you can't have a dog, cat, or even a skunk.

Tell about your pet rat experiences. Have you bought your child a rat? Did you have a rat as a child? Do you have pet rats now?

Rats - Rats as Pets - Pet Rat

I would love to hear some rattie experiences. Do you have a pet rat or pet rats?

Do you find that a single can be happy, or do they need a friend? Is a diligent person that has plenty of time to spend with a rat socialization enough?

The rat was the pet that was always around when we were kids. They have a very friendly nature. Aren't anything like a wild rat. I think rats should be bought in twos, unless you work at home at the rat can be with you. Like a pocket pet.

I can't quite see why people think of a wild rat when they think of a pet rat. What a difference. The difference - thousands of years of domestication.

Even though they do spend a lot of time with me we usually buy in twos. If for no other reason my husband and I would fight over a single rat. We both have to be holding and cuddling an animal. Even my cats quit sniffing years ago though the rats are still watched closely if a cat is in the room. Rats can get into a bit of mischief with their curious natures. My kids always had rats as pets.

I used to have a rat - he was wonderful! Affectionate and smart.

They are affectionate and sweet. I find they make outstanding pets for people that live in apartments and don't have the space for many other pets. They were always perfect apartment dwellers. They didn't do so bad in a dorm either

There has been plenty of kids in our families that have had rats. They do make affectionate pets. They are easy to care for, give them a good diet, clean cage, no cedar or pine bedding or litter! That kills them quick. Plenty of fresh water.

Excellent advice about not using cedar or pine. What type of bedding did you use?