I recently went into a pet store asking to see their rats and they wouldnt let me see them because they were feeder rats. I want one as a pet... I already have two of them. So next time i go in there can i just be like i need two rats or something like that? Are they the same as pet rats? If i ask for baby rats will they give me the ones that are pink and not old enough to be weaned? Please let me know. Thanks.
2006-11-11 16:36:01 · 7 answers · asked by georgia_gurl345 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
sounds very strange they wouldnt let you see them! i don't know the difference between them but i would just like to say that i think you're great to take the time to care for rats and enjoy them. They're fantastically intelligent, fascinating creatures. Not enough people know that. Rats get an awful lot of bad publicity. Good luck!
2006-11-11 16:42:28 · answer #1 · answered by martina_ie 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Feeder rats are the same rat kept as pets...but there can be some major differences depending on what pet store is selling them for what purpose...and what moral breeding ethics are used.
Generally...feeder rats are not bred for clean lines. Behavior issues become a big deal as well as health issues with in-breeding. They don't care...the rats are food anyway. Rats raised as pets...well...you take a chance there because who's really to say these rats weren't bred any better, but they're supposed to be. Right now...I have one feeder rat who had 10 babies. The boys still went as feeders, but the girls are all still here...and this was early this spring these babies were born. One has a tumor, but is it just bad luck...or is it from bad breeding? They are all eager to be held. Rats do make very good pets.
Many pet stores don't want you to see the rats because they're not pets. They don't want to waste their time on something that will not make a profit. The holding tanks are small and often crowded...and over crowded. There are no wheels, no tunnels...no hides. They fight, they die. You might have seen something better left unseen. Not all pet stores are like this...but there are those that are. I haven't stepped foot in our local pet store but once in the last year. I do most of my shopping online...and if I need live feeders (which I don't have anything right now that eats them) I send hubby in because the place just ticks me off too badly.
2006-11-11 16:58:13 · answer #2 · answered by prism_wolf 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Feeder rats are likely to have bad genetics, may have lab rat ancestors which were bred to easily develop cancers, etc.
At a pet store, there may not be much difference. A large percentage of pet store rats have upper respiratory infections when you get them that will never really go away without antibiotic treatment.
If you want to make sure you are getting a quality pet rat, get one from a breeder. (surprisingly, fancy rat breeders exist all over the place.)
The pink baby rats are sold dead and frozen.
2006-11-11 19:02:08 · answer #3 · answered by randomstupidhandle 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The feeder terms are:
Pinkies - newborns.
Fuzzies - Just weaned.
Young/Small.
Medium.
Large.
Anyways, feeder rats (usually albinos) can be kept as pets, they are no different. BUT, in most cases, ''feeders'' are not well taken care of, therefore run high risks of having respiratory infections (can easily be fatal), due to cramped living conditions. Plus, they are handled minimally, if at all, so aggression is possible, as well.
If you are wanting a healthy pet rat, I'd suggest another petstore.
2006-11-11 16:41:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Just buy the feeders as feeders then feed them and get them healthy. they normally aren't hand trained so be aware that they will bite and probably will take time to teach. they aren't handled like pets and are basically wild rats. The reason the store would not show you them is probably because they did not want to be responsible for you getting bitten.
2006-11-11 16:50:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just tell them you want some feeder rats and raise them as pets
2006-11-11 16:37:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are the same, just tell them you want those. If you are paying for them I don't see why they won't let you have them. I prefer them, because I know I'm saving them. Rats are sooo sweet!!
2006-11-12 08:53:30 · answer #7 · answered by DeAnna 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋