Keeping rats

Associate
Joined
9 Sep 2007
Posts
1,139
Location
lowestoft
I just wanted to ask any rat keepers if they thought male or female rats make the better pets. we looked after a couple of female rats for a few weeks and would now like our own. Thanks for any help.
 
I wouldn't of thought there is a major difference between the sexes, many years a ago I had two female rats loads of character and very mischievous.
 
Male rats jut tend to look a bit unsightly if they develop big nuts. Female Rats are lovely, keep themselves quite clean.They both make great pets, and can be trained to do all sorts of stuff.
I had some for a few years and bred them for a while. Just make sure you clean the cages out regularly as they can get a bit smelly.
 
I've never had female rats- I used to have female mice, and have a couple of male rats now, and they're great. They do have massive balls, which does freak people out a bit, but as their owner you get used to it!

They do smell if I leave cleaning their cage for longer than a week, but generally they're very clean, lovely boys! They fight, but it's mainly just play fighting I think- they've never made each other bleed.

They're definitely awesome pets though! =)
 
Doesn't make much difference, girlfriend has had both male and female rats. Males generally smell more and have massive balls, females are cleaner and don't grow as big as males. Males are generally more docile as they get older too.
 
Males tend to smell more and have awful big balls. Females I found to be a little more friendly. I had four of them. Get some NOW! they are amazing pets :)

EDIT: WHAT ABOVE POST SAID^ :\
 
Check out the balls on that lol.

snipheldup.jpg
 
Their personalities do differ. Males tend to be a bit calmer and lazier. The females tend to be more mischievous and hyper. Both make great pets, but it just depends what type of personality you prefer.

The males do smell more.... their urine stinks and they tend to spray it about a bit more. It's not a huge problem, but you have to clean out their cages more often.
 
They look lovely, the second one instantly sprung Roland rat in my mind:D.

Oh yeah, Eddie's brilliant! He's the sweetest, most affectionate rat- he's like a little puppy ;$

It's amazing how they have their own little personalities- Eduardo very much likes being held and played with, whereas Sebastian has mini fits trying to wriggle out of your hands- he much prefers just being left to explore my room on his own!

They are great pets though- although I got them when they were already adults and didn't spend enough time training them- wish I had!!
 
Your rats are really BIG! When I was a teenager my mate used to have a white rat, it was the size of a hamster and it was awesome. Rats are very clever pets.
 
Used to keep a pair of male rats, were a bunch of fun they used to sit on my shoulders as i walked around the house. but be sure to clean out the cage as it can smell. Also male rats tend to fight nothing serious but it can be quite noisy sometimes.
 
My rats are huge! They're such fatties- I tried reducing the amount of food I give them, cos I think I was overfeeding them, but I think they're just heifers! As long as they're healthy I don't mind!

And yes, they are definitely noisy- unfortunately I have to keep my two in my room because I still live at home and my mum would freak out (kind of great though cos it's the equivalent of having guard dogs in my room- I could have a crack house in my room and my parents would be none the wiser..not that I would!) and they wait until I switch my light off then start fighting and chasing each other round the cage- it can get really annoying!
 
I bought 3 femaile rats 4 years ago and they are the best rodents to have. 1 was a little ****, 1 other was really funny and not scared of a thing and the last one was a huge black gently giant, she was a dumbo rat and pulled some really funny faces.

After they all passed away (all cancer) i gave it a break for a while but only last month a bought 2 new ones, very small and half bold. They looked like hoodies! but so far these 2 just dont like being held. Hopefully they will fall like the others did into loving animals.

Please only get some (not 1 on its own) if you can give them time. They really do like contact and attention and i handle mine twice daily.

ps, i wanted male rats this time but the other half didnt like the huge packet they have lol
 
Back
Top Bottom