I'm going to be getting a couple of pet rats in about a month, i've done lots of reading on the subject, and know that I should get 2 of them, keep lots of toys around, and what not... but I'm kinda curious as to other people's experience with them as pets, what works, what doesn't. and also, i'm considering females, should i have them spayed? i've heard conflicting views on it. Which would be best, 2 males or 2 females? One more thing, I've had someone offer me a really nice used chinchilla cage, it looks like it will work great, but it's got plastic tubes (like the hamster ones but much bigger around) will the rats like these or will they just be a waste of time? thanks so much!
2006-09-30 17:02:37 · 9 answers · asked by blue_angel_1400 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Rats, either male/female are wonderful pets when purchased young, not ones used to feed snakes. Two would be good companions for a working person. They are very playful,intelligent and don't bite. We recommend rats to people wanting to know the small animal who makes the best pet. Never use cedar bedding. Male urine smells strong. Rats will like to play in plastic tubes. Be sure they can't escape from between the wires of a chinchilla cage because they can escape from small areas. Don't overfeed or they become obese, thus a shorter lifespan, but usually live 2-3 years. Females generally succumb to mammary gland tumors. Rats are usually disease free but it is not recommended to let animals near the face or kiss them because pet rodents are one of the highest carriers of salmonella. Fresh fruits and vegetables should supplement the daily diet. Do not overfeed, as they hide and will not eat the excess. Ferret hammocks are recommended for sleeping. Rats can also be taught tricks. Recommend tray bottom, water bottle, ceramic dish for food. Rats may play on a wheel when young but not necessarily when mature. When fed the proper diet, rats will not chew the water bottle or plastic tubing in the cage. They will however, eat the water bottle if out of water.
2006-09-30 21:07:14 · answer #1 · answered by kriend 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congrats on your rats.
They make wonderful pets and I have six right now. It would be best to get two females because males tend to fight sometimes if the cage is not the right size or even if they are not from the same litter, they can work together but females are easier keepers. Spaying is not completely necessary but it does prevent mammary tumors. The rats would most likely enjoy the cage and if the cage is free you have nothing to loose, just make sure the bottom is not wire. Wire cages are good but if the floor is wire the rats wont have any where to escape from it and they will get bumble foot. Good luck and have fun with you ratties.
2006-10-01 02:49:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have rats and I love them. Get babies if you can, you can train them to be as friendly as you want them to be. Personally mine are spoiled and always want to come out and play. LOL. Get a decent sized cage. Now I've seen answers that say the males tend to fight, but I've found that males are much more docile than females. My males have always let me, the kids and whoever else do whatever we wanted to them and don't really care. Females can be just as friendly though. I wouldn't go for the tubes though, and like the other person said don't get a cage with a wire bottom. A larger tray bottom cage with a second wire level works just fine. ANd make sure when you but food you get the stuff for rats not hamsters, the hamster food is too small and they don't really like it. Keep chew sticks and stuff in the cage to keep their teeth down. You should be fine, you'll learn quickly what your rats like and don't like!
2006-10-01 04:01:59 · answer #3 · answered by ~v^v~LUNA~v^v~ 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my experience, 2 male rats will fight. 2 females get along fine. No need to spay them, in fact I haven't heard of spaying rats. If you could, then you could mix the sexes. Anyway, be sure to handle the rats before you buy them to be sure they have a good temperament. Most rats make great pets, but sometimes there is one with a bad temperament. Be sure they have a good sized running wheel. One rat I had, got her back deformed from running too much on a too-small wheel. It didn't seem to bother her though.
2006-10-01 02:13:04 · answer #4 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats are very good pets,better than hamsters or gerbils. As long as you were smart enough to read up on them you will be a fine pet owner. Rats are very smart. They will chew up any tubes that are plastic but thats what they do. 2 or more of the same sex usually get along just fine. good luck
2006-10-01 01:53:57 · answer #5 · answered by LisaMarie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter has 5 female mice ( almost the same ) in one medium size
mouse cage and they get along real well. There are no toys - just an
exercise wheel ( A MUST ). Get one of those water bottles they suck on
and bowl for food and some kind wood shaving for bedding. You'll know
when it's time to clean the cage. Your free cage sounds good. Good luck.
2006-10-01 00:24:29 · answer #6 · answered by wallyinsa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is best o get 2 females, ales will fight. if they are bby rats mak sure the spacing btweenthe bars is no biger then a nckle, if the are full groan no bigger tha a quater, or else they will get out. to be honest i would not get them fixed there life san is only about 3 years.
2006-10-01 16:22:41 · answer #7 · answered by ninnygunslinger25 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I knew a doctor who's daughter got so attached to her pet rat then when the rat stopped breathing, the doctor did mouth-to-mouth!
2006-10-01 00:11:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had 2 rats as pets, then i decided i didnt want them anymore. rat poison worked very well
2006-10-01 00:05:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋