Has anyone else noticed that the only people who ever give negative responses to questions about owning rats such as yuck, they're filthy, they smell bad, the're gross, ect. are the ones who have never owned them? Isn't that unfair? Come on, if you don't like rats that's fine but it doesn't mean that you have to be so narrow-minded.
2006-11-08 05:22:51 · 33 answers · asked by Emily 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
To all of the people who posted great things about rats: you are so right! Can't you tell that nobody who has had a rat as a pet is saying bad things about them? Don't insult it until you've tried it!
2006-11-08 06:29:12 · update #1
it's not that i don't like rats i just don't like them any where near me that's all
2006-11-08 05:32:14 · answer #1 · answered by jem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I've never owned a rat but i like them, in fact i wouldn't mind owning a pair of white ones, only i bet they don't go well with computer cables.
In fact, aren't they cleaner than mice because rats have bladder control - i think i read that somewhere.
Most people are put off by the tail, 'cos it's not nice and fluffy.
oh, plus if you do buy a rat from a pet shop, make sure it doesn't come from the same cage as the ones they sell to people with snakes ! because they're generally not so well looked after (what with having a limited shelf life i suppose)
2006-11-08 05:30:43 · answer #2 · answered by SkiButt 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've noticed the same thing! Not only do they get bad mouthed, but people are under the misconception that if they have cats or dogs that the rat wouldn't work in their households! That's crazy! I've got 3 cats, 2 dogs and 2 ratties. The ratties actually CHASE the CATS around, and the dogs like to groom the ratties as if they were puppies, LOL. There's nothing better than watching a rat chase a cat, then get groomed by a 65lb pitbull!
2006-11-14 07:07:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you're right, I have owned all sorts of small and large pets but by far the most consistently trustworthy and intelligent of them was the gentle rat, i have had hamsters, mice, gerbils and degus, and found the rat to be the best, I've never understood why people think of them as dirty smelly animals probably because of the ones in the wild that have learnt to be adaptable in all sorts of conditions against all odds, and that i think makes them extremely resilient and highly efficient , which should be admired NOT hated.
2006-11-11 19:49:06 · answer #4 · answered by Amber 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its just the general public's perception. My neighbour was disgusted we keep rats until we explained they are clean, healthy and bred especially to keep as pets, hence all the wonderful colours they come in. My mother used to hate rats...now she doesn't mind them..as long as they don't come too close...we've got two girls at the mo, but our male had a fit two months ago, so we are planning on getting another male afterv the females have passed on. The boys are just so much easier..and the opinion cant be that bad..as we bred two litters of rats and found homes for all 24..in our area! its just ignorance..i know some people who didn't even know you could keep rats as pets!
2006-11-15 04:04:28 · answer #5 · answered by wolfstorm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats are wonderful creatures. The most loving, attentive, playful and intelligent creatures I have ever kept as pets. As for them being dirty, nothing could be further from the truth, they are fastidious and immaculate creatures, and they hate dirty cages and surroundings.
Don't confuse pet rats with rats that live in the drains and sewers. If you lived where they do, and had to eat what they eat, I suspect you would have an attitude too.
2006-11-08 05:40:52 · answer #6 · answered by Phish 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats are great as pets - they are really friendly and let you hold them and pet them. I personally think they are better than other more popular pets like hamsters coz they are more friendly - hamsters bite! I used to have rats and they were really good pets. Yea its always people who havent had them who slag them off! I think its coz rats get bad publicity with the plague and all that. I agree - if you havent owned a rat then dont diss them.
2006-11-09 02:18:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree that most people who do not like rats or mice have never even seen one up close. I've kept mice for years, and caught a lot of c**p for it. My favorite is "why didn't you get a hamster?"
Now, I have nothing against hamsters, but I simply LOVE mice. :)
Got rats a few months ago, so now I have a mouse and three rats. Most people who state they "don't like" rats or mice do have a change of heart tho, when they meet my mice and rats. I always get the "AWWW" when I lift up the mouse house, and out tumble the little balls of fur.
2006-11-08 11:10:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats are lovely, if I didn't have cats I'd have a rat. Every other rodenty thing - gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs - tends to be terrified and often nippy, but not rats. Rats are bold enough that they don't act like you're going to eat them all the time.
People are just silly, the tail is cool.
2006-11-08 09:10:03 · answer #9 · answered by catalamity 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it seems to be the thought of most people who have never had pet rats, or been around them. deciding on anything without facts is wrong and unfair, but doubt they will be changed (rats have a bad rep I am afraid). i have had pet rats for years, and for years most people don't get it. they are very loving, clean, and smart.
2006-11-08 05:29:19 · answer #10 · answered by falling leaves 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rats may very well smell but that would only be because their owner dosn`t clean them out enough. Domestic rats are nothing like the wild ones, They are clean, dont smell and make brilliant pets. And they are randy little buggars, worse than mice.
2006-11-09 22:57:59 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋