Does anyone have rats?

I would like to get rats but I'm not entirely sure about it. Has anyone got/had them and what would you advise about them as pets?

 

Hi Clare,

I'm English but have got used to the fact the Manx dont call them r**s, here they are called longtails because of a very old superstition which is still very much alive. If you were to say r**s in front of them they would hold they're lapel and whistle, also give you a telling off after.

Just thought I'd share that with you!

 

Lol John that made me laugh, sorry Clare don't keep rats though, don't think the cat'd like it.

 

Hiya

I currently keep rats and used to breed them, but im down to my last male now.

They do make very good pets as the are highly sociable with both people and their own kind and should really be kept in at least groups of 2 or more of the same sex. Mine is on his own due to aggression problems towards other ratties which does sometimes happen with bucks (males) but can sometimes be cured with castration :P.

Females dont tend to have this problem tho and will get on fine with each other. Females (does) are alot more active and bouncy than bucks so it is really down to personal choice as to what sort of personality you want from your ratties...bucks tend become lazy, sleepy lap/shoulder rats as they age and females tend to want to be running around exploring all the time...but there are always exeption to the rules and all babies are similar to does

Rats make great pets for kids as they are very intelligent can take a fair amount of rough handling and play (being alot bigger and chunkier than hamsters) and its rare to have a well handled rattie bite. I would always recommend these over hamsters any day if you can put up with the cleaning!

Rats do have an odour..Does alot less so than bucks who will pee on everything. All rats need a very big cage 2ft square per rat at least and you will need to wipe down shelves etc everyday. Also sawdust/woodshavings isnt advised as a bedding as this causes respiritory problems in most rats. Rats love to climb and also love sleeping in hammocks which i make out of teatowels from the poundshop :P

Thats all i can think of for now...anything else gimme a shout!

 

I have 3 little rats. 2 of them go to primary school and the other starts nursery this year.

I have found that they are friendly, especially when you offer them treats. They also need regular cleaning, and a good routine. They aren't the easiest to discipline, however, a firm voice usually works.

I'm sure this has been very useful advice

 

I can honestly say I have never seen a rat round here and if I did the poison would go straight down.
As for having them in the house , NO WAY.

 

They must have meat protein in their diet or they will die.

 

We have 11 rats - 5 males and 6 females. All are very friendly, handleable and are very nosey!

My 15 year old Daughter has taught the girls their names and when we let them have some running around time up and down the stairs, she calls each of them and they run up to her for a quick cuddle before scurrying off again. We love having them, even the 2 stroppy ex bredding rats we took on from a rescue (they don't bite but equally aren't that fussed about having a fuss ).

Girls names are Hattie, Deaks, Oakie, Billy, Kenzie, Sam. Boys are Fugly, Puttie, Stubble, Jake and Alfie. Puttie and Stubble are 2 male bald rats and are so soft and smooth, I love handling them as they are like little hot water bottles and love a cuddle

We keep them in the big Jenny cages with lots of things to climb on, chew and snuggle up in. They don't take a lot of time in terms of cleaning etc but do take time (like any animal) if you want them to be cuddly tame. We handle them daily and quite often we will get one out at a time and spend about 15 - 20 mins cuddling them and playing games on a one to one basis.

 

We did have a member (Whiley) who is not active here anymore who bred and showed rats but I don't know of anyone else.

 

meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

meet mine...

one boy


and 4 girls









lovelyyyyyyyyyyy animals and very interactive and loving! much more so than any other small animal ive had or have (rabbits, guineas, degu, hamsters, gerbils)

 

Thanks vey much for the advice everyone, and the lovely pics :-)

PinkBug, I've heard this before. Thing is, I really would prefer male rats because I want cuddles! How bad exactly is the wee thing?

And do females not have this problem at all?

 

Does no one else have anything to add? I got so many responses the first time round, I guess I must've killed my own post!

I'm even more interested now because I met my first pair of ratties the other day and just fell in love with them!