Do rats make good pets?

Question

Can the cage be an aqurium that has a vented lid? What things should be in it and can I use a regular bowl for the water dish instead of a bottle. What do rats eat?

Answer 1

rats are awesome, i just got one this week and shes so much fun! she hangs out on the counter in the bathroom when i shower and runs around the sofa while i read...i keep her in a small aquarium with a lid and then a water bottle. I feed her rat pellets from the pet store but as every one knows, they eat any thing...mine loves fresh green beans.

Answer 2

Rats make wonderful pets if they're cared for properly (the same applies to any pet, I guess).
When I first got my rats, I used an aquarium with a vented lid, and they were fine with it. There were several larger disadvantages with that, though, so I soon switched over to a chicken-wire cage:
1. The same air circulates in an aquarium so you'll have to clean out their cage much more often
2. They can't climb along the sides so they lose a lot of space that way.
3. Unless the aquarium is huge, you'll have to remember to stack books on top of the lid (or get one with a locking lid) because very soon, the smart little things will figure out how to climb on top of something and open it.

What things should be in it? There is going to have to be litter at the bottom of the cage. Make sure that the litter is NOT a softwood bedding (which includes cedar and pine), because these contain aromatic hydrocarbons (phenols) that are TOXIC to your rats. You could use wood beddings, like Aspen, paper beddings, like Carefresh (my personal favorite), plant fiber beddings, like Corn Cob, or cloth beddings. All but cloth beddings should be store-bought: make sure to change the litter as soon as it starts smelling or is wet (depending on the number of rats and the size of the cage, anywhere from twice a week to once every few weeks).

You're going to need some sort of shelter for the rats - a cardboard tube from toilet paper, a wood or plastic store-bought shelter. Anything the rats fit into will work.

You SHOULD get a water bottle because your rats with move the litter around the entire cage and will get some everywhere (including into the water dish). Do you really want them drinking wood shavings?

As for food, it is an extremely widespread myth that rats can eat anything. This is NOT true. Because they don't have the ability to vomit, rats can die if they eat something they can't have. The best idea is to feed them specifically designed rat pellets (rat mixtures are prettier but the rats will leave all the "healthy" things behind). There is a list of "forbidden foods" for rats, and I'm citing that below.

Basically, your rats need litter, food, water, a shelter, a cage, and lots of individual attention.

If you get them and treat for them properly, you'll have a wonderful time with them. From my experience, they make absolutely perfect pets.

Good luck to you and your possible future ratties! :)

Answer 3

I would never have a rat as a pet but i did have a guinea pig so i guess it would make just as good as a pet.

Your pet might tip over the water dish if it is not in one of those bottles and he could go thirsty. They have pellets u can feed your rat. They do like veggies like most rodents so carrots etc it will like! If u use an aquarium then make sure it is out of the sunlight because it will get too hot for your rat.

Answer 4

Yes rats make great pets!!! I had one.

an aquarium is ok but most pets dont like them as I discovered theyre better for smaller rodents.

I wud use a bottle instead. Poop and other stuff can get into the bowl easy. They sell bottles for aquariums at pet stores.

Rats eat rat food....sold at pet stores. (usually says mouse and rat food)

Also rodents need chews. Otherwise their teeth will grow into their lips

But yes they are very friendly and clean. Buy a book on one and do research though before you get the rat

Answer 5

I've had a total of 12 rats over a span of about 8 years, and the make the most fantastic pets. Sometimes I think they're even better than dogs or cats, especially if you live in an apartment and need something small. They're very smart and affectionate, and relatively easy to care for.

Answer 6

Yes, you can put them in an aquarium, But unfortunately, you'll have to put their water in a bottle.Rats eat regular rabbit,guinea pig,and any other rodent foods. You can also give your rat french fries, and tons of other human foods for treats! And believe it or not, you can give rats chocolate, It doesn't effect the females, and all it does to males is make it difficult for them to breed. Oh yeah, and rats hat those little pellets.

Answer 7

yes rats make good pets. no its best if you use a wire cage because the glass or plastic may have harmful toxins on it so its better to use wire cages. have a wheel in there so it can play. they like to chew on things so git a chew toy for it. bedding is different you need one that neutralise's odar and is soft. NO wood chips. no rats cant drink like a cat or dog . it would most likely drown in the water. my rat loves dried fruit and any type of nut. make sure its healthy.rats are nocturnal and can be noise so be carefull what toys you get.

Answer 8

I had rats yes i had my rats in a aqurium and they liked it pretty well, you can use a bowl but the rats that i had always played in it...besides they poop and pee in it so you better stick with a bottle. Rats can eat Walmart RatFood but the stuff that you get at petstores are better... Yes Rats are awesome pets....My mom had to get rid of my rats because they have dander in their fur so check with your doctor before getting the rats... I was allergic to my rats ......................Ohh Rats love to eat fruits and veggies give it to your rats periodically because my rats always had the runs when i gave them bananas..............Hope this info was useful!!!!

Answer 9

They make excellent pets and bite much less than hamsters or gerbils. The males are more laid back, and the females more active and busy.
This is a wonderful rat site by some folks in Australia who love rats:

http://www.dapper.com.au/index.htm

Answer 10

Yes, we had one for a long time. He even came when called when we let him out of the cage. If his cage got too messy, he'd start throwing his poo out.