Pet Rats

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 us about your rat experiences - are they good pets?

Oh, I LOVED having rats! Of course we went overboard and had 12, which I do not suggest. They are gentle and smart, we even had one that would come when we called his name. Our dog loved them and would let them ride around on his back. The cats seemed to know they weren't normal rats and kept a curious distance. They are no harder to take care of than a hamster or gerbil, and in my opinion, are more fun. The one big drawback I found is their short lifespan.

Yes, their lifespans are too too short. I love pet rats. They are so intelligent and affectionate.

One of our pet rats was named Zipper because he zipped around quickly. Whenever my husband walked through the door, Zipper was the first one to reach him, and he would zip up my husband's leg and sit on his shoulder. We loved to feed him, pet him and take him places.

Rats make better pets than mice or hamsters because they do interact more. You can even train them.

The heart-breaking thing was that he zipped out of the house and one of the kids on the street found him. He wouldn't return him, saying that Zipper was stolen by someone who broke into his room.

To this day, I miss him. But I hesitate to get another rat because they don't live very long.

I'm madly in love with my little man, that's for sure. He's very cuddly and likes to hang out on my shoulder, but I think he may be allergic to me, lol! Every time he's with me, he sneezes! Its pretty amazing, really. He doesn't stop until I put him back in his tank. Is this a normal thing? And since I'm a new rat mommy, what IS their life span?

The lifespan is 2-3 years which is quite short. But, there is so much to gain, their love is immense, their nature kind and sweet. I wouldn�t let this deter me from having rats. I know for a fact I will be with my animals again someday anyway.

Do you wear hairspray, cologne, or lotion any number of things rats can be quite sensitive. 3-5 years is their lifespan. There is a lot of love in those 3-5 years though.

That is cute the way Zipper would greet. What a rotten little kid. I think I would have scared the pants off him by calling the police. Or at least would have told them the police were coming with a search warrant. Didn�t the parents of the kid notice the rat?? Do many parents care anymore if these kids grow up with morals?

I often thought about lifespans but got to the point realizing how fast my life was going by, why worry about it. They have so much to offer us - love.

Diana, when I'm at home, I don't usually wear any scent. I do use lotion, because I work with fabric and my hands get really dry, but I use a hypoallergenic type. I suppose that doesn't matter to my boy, though.... And I'm not worried about the lifespan. I'm glad to have him, so whatever time I get is golden. :)

lol maybe your hair tickles his nose What they give to us is no doubt golden - such precious little lives! Do you sit by an air vent? Just curious why he sneezes.

Diana, you make an excellent point about life. In fact, I just may get another rat. I am concerned about the new cat that just adopted us though.

Oh, about the sneezing. Check the type of bedding you're using. I once used bedding material that was green in color (chlorophyll) but learned that it was scented with pine. It nearly killed my rat. I felt wretched about my ignorance.

Only natural stuff for me now.

I love my ratties :) I have TEN now. I took two other boys from my cousin yesterday(just to foster though, because eight is really my max) but I had 20 sometime last year. They are wonderful pets, and I like that they are quiet haha. My dogs barking annoys me so much I trained MY dog to not bark. My eight permanent rat kids are a group of males and a group of females, plus one lone rat who won't warm up to anyone even after a year of trying :( I have yet to meet a truly mean rat that didn't come from a bad situation, though.

That is an excellent point, ratties are quiet and charming. You don't have to walk them in freezing weather, use a little plastic gizmo to clean up after them, they don't hog all the blankets - big thing with me today...I froze to death last night - fuzzy animal had the whole down comforter under her!

Welcome to the group Olly - we all get along great here. We have a real friendly group. We can all get ahold of Diana pretty much day or night. We all love our animals. I obviously love skunks. I think rats are pretty special too. Just by reading some of the old post I think Diana likes just about every animal, would probably have every animal if she could fit them all in her house. Stick around I think you will like it here.

I am on record as a new, completely transformed rat dad. A year ago we still had no idea rats were about to happen to us. Our first, Cassie, the ambassador rat arrived here on March 5. We had just enjoyed a long winter of two gerbils and a hamster. As wonderful as those creatures are, nothing prepared us for what rats would do to us! It's amazing to me that the past 11 months have become such a long story of the new rats in our lives. I need to post this all somewhere---Dianna knows some of it. It's easy for me to say: "BEST PETS EVER" and mean it. I would only except the kind of dog I'm used to who goes with me everywhere in the woods h ere in Maine and on my hikes, and camping. This is not normal for rats, obviously, but in EVERY OTHER WAY, they are the most deep hearted, loving pets ever and my only concern is their small size---one must always take care not to sit or step on them, as they love human companionship almost as much as they need each other. During this 11 month revelation we have already lost two, one adopted one who may have been nearly 100 in rats' years, (Rascal) and one who tragically left us just as he was transitioning from adorable angelic rat boy into man rathood, but was taken by a horrible respiratory ailment. (Mac) This is gut-wrenching stuff, folks. I'm a 57 y.0 man and I forgot I could shed tears like that. These little beings grab ahold of your heart, and take a piece with them when they leave. NOTHING prepared me for this, but now I know, and stories from other rat people agree with this. We have to take the best care of them we can, and have a rat-friendly vet, if at all possible, and pray we can get a little more than the 3 years max. I understand a 5 year rat is just about the record. We have six now, perhaps a tad more than we need. We still have Cassie, and Rose and Dusty who followed her---the 3 girls. Then we have 3 incredible big boy brothers from the same litter: the Noisy Boys from Mainely Rat Rescue. They all have separate and group relationships with each other, as to who sleeps with who, who takes most care of the one we have who is most prone to respiratory ailments (dear sweet Dusty, but she keeps prevailing.) We would have stopped at 5 but the 3rd Noisy Boy wasn't working out at his adopted home, and he was offered to us. We so love having him join us. All 3 boys are neutered, btw. We hear a lot about "oops litters." These need to be adopted out, or kept, but sadly too many rats are sold as snake food. Nothing against snakes, but knowing rats as I now do, this is the worst betrayal, heartbreaking tragedy I can imagine. Although I know we humans have done worse things to our own kind, too. But it doesn't help me, knowing that. Rats have deep hearts and souls and are too knowing of what's happening to them.

Are you the reformed live prey snake person? If you are how did your snakes take to eating frozen rodents (thawed, warmed too crunchy otherwise ice crystals and all) anyway, dead prey. Diana and I have been talking via email about the mice or rodents and the horrible fear they go through when put in a cage with a snake. I don't have snakes iguana and a new bearded dragon but I have really wanted a snake but I can't handle feeding mice or small rats. Thank you. Please anyone with snakes or has had snakes give me your opinion.

I'm a new rat mom and a snake mom. I have a snow corn snake who is just over a year old. At first, I was really squeamish about live prey, but I guess I've gotten used to it. She will eat dead prey, but the only way for me to get that is to freeze it myself - which means the obvious... I can't NOT feed my snake, so I guess I just have to keep on. That may make me sound heartless, and for that, I'm sorry. I'm really not! I love all animals, and can't judge or keep away from any simply because of their dietary needs. Circle of life and all that....

There is certainly a natural food chain and that is natural. I think the better choice is not making the prey go through a terrifying experience. You are not heartless. But it would seem more humane to feed dead rodents as long as they are killed in a non cruel manner.

They looks so sweet in pet stores they look like they are capable of a whole lot of love.