Pet rats

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

Soldato
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3 Jan 2009
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Do any of you own pet rats?

I've been thinking about getting a pet of some sort. I can't get a dog as I wouldn't be around enough to take care of it and cats are out of the question as my parents have just had their furniture reupholstered.

What are rats like as pets?

I used to have a cat and over the years we built up a real bond. Can you have that same bond and sense of companionship with a rat?
 
Had 2 pet rats when growing up (was about 14 or 15). They were fantastic little things, responded when you called them etc.

I think they lasted about 3 or 4 years but still managed to make quite a bond with them.
 
I used to keep rats - they are fantastic pets and very intelligent. Better than a cat as the rat actually seems to give a **** about you, whereas you simply feed a cat rather than own it ;)
 
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i havnt own rats myself, but i have known quite a few people that have, while they are really fun and intelligent pets to have, one thing that really got me was the smell, i mean yeah you'd probably get used to it, but while not overpowering it was always there.
i dont know if that was down to the owner not keeping the cage clean properly or just the natrual smell of rats, but it was certainly off putting.
 
RomanNose said:
What about small rabbits such as mini lops?
They are awesome & fluffy.
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But rats are awesome and fluffy and intelligent.

Tom0 said:
Basically, no.
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Wrong. Think or rats like little dogs and you're about there.

I used to have several rats over about 10 years and they were great pets. Get females though as they aren't smelly and more active.

EDIT: Oh and I has several acquaintances that hated rats, until they played with mine, about 4 people themselves got one or two after that...
 
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I had a rat called Fred when I was younger. He had MASSIVE crown jewels, and was a bit stinky. In the summer his cage went to live in the shed and in the winter he lived in our conservatory. He was a lovely little thing, really friendly. Had him about 3.5 years before he had a stroke and couldn't stand up, kept falling on his side, so we had him put to sleep. Lots of people don't like their tails but I found it fascinating how it curled round my hand, easy to pick him up with too when he was little and skittish. He got quite big in the end.

I'd have another but probably a girl.
 
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I have had rats for years, have 3 now, they only smell if the owner doesn't clean them out properly! you should be removing any dirty things daily to be honest.

I like having them, they all have their own little personalities and I've had many people 'converted' to liking them after handing mine. If you prefer bigger, lazier animals that'll happily sit on your lap and be stroked - get males. If you want a smaller and more 'active' pet then get females.

Never get a lone rat, they are highly social animals and while you can interact with them it's not the same as having a ratty companion to do rat things with.
 
[TW]Fox;20925904 said:
I used to keep rats - they are fantastic pets and very intelligent. Better than a car as the rat actually seems to give a **** about you
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Rats, better than cars!
 
Don't have rats, but have 2 Gerbils right now. Which I guess are still rodents :p

Such smelly little things but fun to watch their crazy behaviour.


I was considering getting a rat or two, but one scared the living hell out of me, at Pets at Home, it kept baring it's teeth at me for now apparent reason :o
 
Hate said:
Never get a lone rat, they are highly social animals and while you can interact with them it's not the same as having a ratty companion to do rat things with.
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We tried to do that. We bought Fred along with one of his littermates, who ended up being really vicious and attacking Fred quite badly, he needed vet treatment. So we had to separate them after that :(
 
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