We are getting my son a pet rat. Is one sex nicer then the other? How big of a cage do they need to be happy? The lady at the pet store tried to talk us into a 3 level $130.00 cage.
2006-09-20 04:35:56 · 13 answers · asked by mom of 2 6 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Most of you guys are great. We bought 2 little girls last night, seems that everyone agrees that pairs are better. We also found a cheaper 3 level cage with no wire floors, solid wheel and solid ramps.
2006-09-21 03:44:39 · update #1
Just would like to shout out to all you rat-haters. THEY ARE NOT DIRTY, DISEASE CARRYING VERMIN. You all are thinking about sewer rats and such. Animals that come from a store and are captive bred are completely safe for keeping as pets.
(Stepping Down from my soap box) Good for you on deciding to get your son a rat. They are perfect little companions and great for kids to keep as pets. I myself have 2 lovely girlie ratties, and i also work at a pet store where we sell male rats. The males generally get much larger and fatter than the females. However, as far as temperment goes, females are much more hyper than males. They love to run around furniture and if you can keep an eye on them, run around on the floor.
As far as cages go, you dont need a huge 3 level cage...just make sure that there is enough space for them to run around, make nests, have toys...etc. They do like cages with ramps, wheels, and ledges. However, if you cannot do a big cage, just make sure that your rat can get plenty of exercize when you take it out to play with it. A bored rat is an unhappy rat!
Hope this has been helpful...and again to all you rat-haters....DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU CRITICIZE SOMEONES CHOICE OF PET!
2006-09-20 07:59:15 · answer #1 · answered by Erin B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rats make great pets. They are alot nicer then most other animals. They also do not usually carry the diseases of wild rats. I do not think that a 10 gallon talk is sufficiant. I would go with a 20 gallon long. Or some of the wire cages are better. Because you can add levels. But to answer your question No you do not need to spend that much on a cage. This website has some great fun cages if you do want to spend a little more money.http://www.superpetusa.com/index.html
2006-09-20 05:37:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is a pretty good size cage. to me the bigger the cage the better. i have seven rats. four are male and three are female. both genders are great to have. the males tend to get lazier the older they get. they also spray their cages causing things to smell. nothing overwhelming. the females seem to be more attention seeking and a lot more fun to watch.
my females are crazy. they climb all over the cage when i come home wanting out. the males stretch and yawn then go back to sleep.
no matter their gender, rats are great pets to have. they rarely bite and have great dispositions. i love to climb, chew, and some even love the wheel. not all rats take to the wheel.
if you get a cage make sure the bars are not to large for them to get their heads stuck in. don't get any cages that have wire flooring for the upper levels. the same goes for the wheel. it needs to be solid all the way around. if not there is a good possiblity that the rat will get its tail or foot caught in it. which can lead to very much pain. hearing a rat in pain will put you in tears.
if you are to get a rat. the best thing to do is to by them in pairs. males can get territorial with one another and the same goes for females. the bigger the cage is the better. rats are very social. they can get bored easily even if toys are present. if you have at least two together they can keep each other entertained when you can't do the job.
2006-09-20 11:28:50 · answer #3 · answered by werewolfpixie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats make VERY nice pets. Currently I have 14 Rats. I have a male and a female (adults) and 12 babies. The male is the more peaceful one. He is GREAT with my kids, my cat, my rabbit and me. He gives kisses and LOVES attention. Also, once your rat has established his cage as being his home, he will ALWAYS come back to it. If he should happen to get out, he will come home. They are clean animals. I have had gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, cats, dogs, and rats are by FAR the cleanest of em all! The Female rat on the other hand is psychotic. She is flighty, does not like to be held, touched or bothered. Males tend to be calmer and make better pets of the 2 sexes. Generally they will never bite. Even if they are woken up, startled or smell food, they will not bite. A 10 Gallon tank will be ok, IF there is an extra area for him or her to exercise and run. I would reccomend a 20 gallon tak minimum, my rat is in a cage that is an equivalent to a 30 gallon tank, 1 level and he is happy. They can eat anything, as they are Rats, BUT do not feed them chocolate or ice cream, they cannot digest dairy very well. Hope I helped you and I guarantee a happy pet relationship with a rat....just get them when they are young and from a place that they have been handled since birth. :) Feel free to e-mail if you'd like, if you have any questions. (my name) @ yahoo.ca
2006-09-20 22:00:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
DO NOT house them in a tank! It doesn't provide necessary air circulation and isolates them from everything that's happening. The larger the cage the better. Try Martins cages: http://martinscages.com/products/cages/rat/
Also do not get just one!!! This is very important. Rats are extremely social creatures and need the company of other rats. Even if you play with it often you cannot make up for a rat companion. They groom, sleep, and play together in a way that we humans cannot.
Make sure you don't use pine or cedar shavings as they can cause respiratory illnesses.
Here are some helpful sites:
http://www.rmca.org/Resources/rmcafaq.htm
http://www.dapper.com.au/
http://www.goosemoose.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,118/forum,rat
http://www.ratfanclub.org/helpinfo.html
2006-09-20 07:57:16 · answer #5 · answered by Em 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cages are much better than tanks as the ammonia builds up in tanks and will cause breathing problems in rats. Plus with cages you can add hammocks and hang things from the bars and rats love climbing. A three level cage sounds good for 2 rats. The more room you can get them the better.
Generally speaking boys are lazier than girls, but as babies they are equally active. Girls are prone to mammary tumours though. Whichever sex you go for, I would strongly recommend getting at least two. They need company of other rats, no human can give them what they need. I also find they bond quicker with me if there is more than one as they gain confidence from each other.
2006-09-20 06:31:03 · answer #6 · answered by kiffie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ive had several rats and have always experienced that the girls are usually more playful and nicer. As long as they have enough room to walk around in the cage it will be fine. I always put them in long fish tanks. Also they seem to enjoy some type of little house in their cage to sleep in.
2006-09-20 04:45:34 · answer #7 · answered by shannon c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had rats before, matter of fact quit a few...a 10 gallon tank will do them just fine. Depending on how many you have, usually you will only want to put 2 rats per 10 gallon tank. any 10 gallon fish tank will do fine for them and they will be happy. You DONT ever want to use cedar bedding as it causes respatory infections. Make sure they have fresh food and water every day. Clean the food dishes with warm soapy water. Rat bedding should be cleaned 3 times a week.
2006-09-20 04:41:47 · answer #8 · answered by american_pitbull2006 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mines a boy referred to as '' Noah'' ought to choose for on the practice that agouti shade is greater likened to wild rats, could desire to be some suggested in memories and books, or shade names like Sienna and Sable, cookie and Biscuit, Cocoa and occasional
2016-10-15 05:20:48 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nobody in their right mind would foster a rat onto a child as a pet. Rats foster disease. Boubonic plague, the black death, what are you thinking?
2006-09-20 04:46:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋