My ex-wife got them from the pet store and the kids love them and I just want to know if I have the Rats of Nimh or the rats from the Bone Collector?
2006-09-26 06:07:33 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Rats are very intelligent and train easily. They will grow as large as their environment and food source will allow, so keep that in mind. They do attract wild rats and mice, so keep that in mind as well. My brother had a pet rat,Heather, for 6 years before she got loose from a friend that was watching her and escaped their house.
2006-09-26 06:13:57 · answer #1 · answered by Pundit Bandit 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They make such great pets, the only thing to watch out for is to make sure they don't take on all the responsibilities as that's unfair to ask a young child to do. So depending on the age, their mother should actually take on all the responsibility of taking care of the rats while the kids are assigned to do certain small things.
Those are just rat stereotypes, just forget about them as they completely make rats look horrible. Rats are intelligent and very very sweet.
2006-09-26 11:25:40 · answer #2 · answered by Animal Lover and Owner 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had rats as pets for many years. Their lifespan is generally 2-3 years. My son was about 4 when we got one with chldren in the house. They have never bitten my children. Cannot say the same for hamster and gerbils. They are very social animals and love attention. I must mention none of my rats have ever bitten anybody. They are quite smart but do not like wheels well none of mine have. They would rather tip it over if a free standing one and sleep in it. Or use it to eat in. If you chose to have a rat as a pet make sure you have something for them to chew on. Their front teeth never stop growing and if they are not able to gnaw to keep them at a good length it will cause problems for them to eat.
2006-09-27 15:41:14 · answer #3 · answered by mystiqalwolf 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I own rats and they are sweethearts. The only time I got bit by one is when one had babys. I buy ones that are young and somewhat hand trained. They are not jumpy like mice are and therefore are less likely to bite (not saying all rats don't bite). As long as the kids know how to be gentle there should be little to no problems.
2006-09-26 18:41:34 · answer #4 · answered by sirenssong78 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends, let them settle in, and slowly start to teach them that people = good. some store bought rats come with this already, they love to be cuddled, but i would recommend them for anyone under the age of 13, due to a child's tendency for accidents, and rats are fairly costly to take to the vet, but it isn't going to cost you thousands of dollars, rats are also prone to mycoplasmosis, an infection that can lead to pneumonia if left untreated, if trained well, they can be good pets, but the rats primary caregiver should always be the parents, like let your kid hold him when you have the rat and are watching TV or something, that's what i do, but like i said, a child isn't the best person to give a rat to, its no hamster, and is usually like a family pet.
2006-09-26 06:15:26 · answer #5 · answered by Bob7k 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
rats make great pets for children they will just sit on you shoulder or in the hood of sweatshirt for hours the only problem is they go to the bathroom when they are out of the cage for awhile.
Also I have had 8 rats and not one of them has ever bit me even when i reach right into their igloo and pull them out.
2006-09-26 08:54:16 · answer #6 · answered by jmeight2000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats make excellent pets. I have never been bitten by any of our 6 rats we have had over the years. One used to nibble on my toes though, it tickled. I even sat on one by accident and she just kinda stretched out and climbed up on my shoulder.
I have been bitten by our ginea pigs, hampsters, and degus.
Make sure that you let the rats get used to you and train them to come to you. Nothing is harder than trying to dig a rat out from behind something. They can get just about anywhere.
Enjoy your rats, they are great!
2006-09-26 06:29:03 · answer #7 · answered by kclark747 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure... havent you ever seen Rat Basketball at COSI? Dont believe me... it really is real... visit the COSI website!
Lol... funny question... and I know you must hate your ex-wife for not consulting you before the rat decision... but there are plenty of great websites for Rat owners on the web... yeah I know it has everything
2006-09-26 06:19:30 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Thanks For All The Fish♥ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes they do!! They are actually REALY smart. Males are better but leave a little marking on you sometimes. Go to a pet shop and they should be able to tell you what ones are the nicer ones. Depending on how they were bread, they will have different personalities. Good luck!!
2006-09-26 06:14:16 · answer #9 · answered by Josie M 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Kids Often Play Hide & seek With Them.
2006-09-26 06:12:24 · answer #10 · answered by katiemustang 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋