Pets Pet rats

[Thrawn]

[YOUTUBE]iljHxtk7XZI[/YOUTUBE]

I was wondering if anyone here owns rats or has had a rat as a pet before? They are rather underrated - they're intelligent, pretty affectionate, don't smell, are relatively cleaner than most other mammalian pets and do not bite. They are a shit-ton better than other rodent pets like guinea pigs IMO. The downside is they only live for a few years, which is a shame, because they have so much personality. I would certainly recommend two if you don't have the time/money/commitment for a dog.

 

[bresker]

My daughter has three, I quite like them. Fat little bastids though, and they have massive balls, no wonder they breed so quick. I often wonder if they get sexually frustrated. It would amusing to drop a female rat in there.

 

[exit]

I keep buying 'pet' rats but my pet snake keeps eating the little buggers!

 

[Thrawn]

I keep buying 'pet' rats but my pet snake keeps eating the little buggers!

I sincerely hope you're not live feeding your snake (unless it's a last resort).

And pet stores aren't allowed to give you live rats/rabbits/guniea pigs intended as pets, for the purposes of feeding a reptile. Many pet stores and reptile specialist places will sell frozen ones in bulk.

 

[Thrawn]

My daughter has three, I quite like them. Fat little bastids though, and they have massive balls, no wonder they breed so quick. I often wonder if they get sexually frustrated. It would amusing to drop a female rat in there.

Amusing until you get lots of babies.

My brother in law got guinea pigs for his daughters, but male and female. The idiot didn't seem to realise how fast they reproduce, so had a dozen babies to take care of in no time when his intention was to only have two.

 

[RU_]

I've had 4 rats, got one left now. Won't get anymore considering I will be hitting the age of going out with friends by the time it's gone, touchwood. Love pet rats tho.

 

[dales.girl38]

I had pet mice when I was younger, I think they're gorgeous (the tame ones anyway). I had two at a time, six overall I think, but always the same gender together. I don't know why the pet ones have such a bad rep, there are feral dogs and cats too...

 

[Igloo]

Used to have a rat, haven't for a few years though. They are good pets. Would definitely recommend.

 

[Messenger]

Workmate has pet rats; she constantly at the vet having them put down. They get cancer quite readily apparently.

The last rats I had contact with were helping me with scientific research.....

 

[Ben the Gooner]

Workmate has pet rats; she constantly at the vet having them put down. They get cancer quite readily apparently.

The last rats I had contact with were helping me with scientific research.....

Getting a pet snake as well would probably be more economical than the vet for her long term.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I rescued a rat and made it my pet.

He was always running here and there, I think it was because he felt he wasn't welcome anywhere.

 

[Messenger]

Getting a pet snake as well would probably be more economical than the vet for her long term.

A packet of Talon is your best bet.

 

[Thrawn]

Workmate has pet rats; she constantly at the vet having them put down. They get cancer quite readily apparently.

The last rats I had contact with were helping me with scientific research.....

Where is she getting them from? A lab or a bad pet store? And what age? Rats are prone to tumours nearing 3 years, but for them to get one at say, 6 weeks is pretty much unheard of.

 

[Poseidon]

It's a hard gig for domesticated rats, constantly being brought down by their filthy street cousins

 

[cats2rise]

I have three and are such great value. For some reason rats put some peoples noses out of joint but they are great pets. They are cleaner than mice, and much more friendly and intelligent. One of my past pet rats used to follow me around the house if I let it on the floor and would come straight to me if I put my hand on the floor.

Its such a shame they live for usually only between 2-3 years, but certainly get alot of enjoyment out of them! If looked after properly they are always active, fun and social.

 

[Thrawn]

For some reason rats put some peoples noses out of joint but they are great pets.

People either have an irrational phobia, or just simply like to be bigots. They associate them with the plague, with death and disease - despite the fact that a domesticated rat is much more cleaner than your average dog and really isn't a wild animal. Let a dog sift in rubbish and it'll be dirty too. My brother in law was petrified of them, but when he got to handle/know them a bit better, he loved them. My nieces absolutely adore them, mainly because they don't have those ignorant, pre-conceived thoughts that were spoon-fed to them. I like it when kids are open minded about all animals, they learn new things and silly little things like misconceptions take a backward step.

I find snakes quite fascinating and awesome too, unfortunately they get some bad PR as well. It's a shame, but oh well, their loss if they want to remain close-minded about such awesome animals. I can understand perfectly if some people don't like them, but if they enforce their dislike to the extent to tell me not to keep 'em, well **** 'em I say.

 

[Messenger]

Where is she getting them from? A lab or a bad pet store? And what age? Rats are prone to tumours nearing 3 years, but for them to get one at say, 6 weeks is pretty much unheard of.

A pet store. No idea how old they are.

 

[exit]

I sincerely hope you're not live feeding your snake (unless it's a last resort).

And pet stores aren't allowed to give you live rats/rabbits/guniea pigs intended as pets, for the purposes of feeding a reptile. Many pet stores and reptile specialist places will sell frozen ones in bulk.

Nah, joking mate. Used to when he was younger (mice/small rats) 'cos he wouldn't accept frozen, but we kept trying and eventually he came around, which is good for both snake and rats. He's nearly 9 ft now and large rat bites can do some serious damage to a snake, infection etc. I will say that when we were buying live rats, you would get attached to some of the little blighters, so I'm glad he's taking frozen now.

 

[WALL-e]

Threatening my Mum with a pet rat got me a pet dog 14 odd years ago. Good threating tool. Mates sister had a couple, both got cancer I believe.

 

[Thrawn]

A pet store. No idea how old they are.

Some pet stores are pretty shoddy, and treat their animals more like products rather than living creatures. If the breeder is particularly bad, the animals won't be too well socialised, will have mite problems from the onset and poor genes. I'm guessing they're probably close to two years old, which is usually around the time when these problems start to occur. If she wants to get some rats then I'd suggest a good breeder. There's definitely a problem if she keeps on getting them put down.

 

[cats2rise]

People either have an irrational phobia, or just simply like to be bigots. They associate them with the plague, with death and disease - despite the fact that a domesticated rat is much more cleaner than your average dog and really isn't a wild animal. Let a dog sift in rubbish and it'll be dirty too. My brother in law was petrified of them, but when he got to handle/know them a bit better, he loved them. My nieces absolutely adore them, mainly because they don't have those ignorant, pre-conceived thoughts that were spoon-fed to them. I like it when kids are open minded about all animals, they learn new things and silly little things like misconceptions take a backward step.

I find snakes quite fascinating and awesome too, unfortunately they get some bad PR as well. It's a shame, but oh well, their loss if they want to remain close-minded about such awesome animals. I can understand perfectly if some people don't like them, but if they enforce their dislike to the extent to tell me not to keep 'em, well **** 'em I say.

So much win in this post.