Fancy Rats vs. Regular Rats?

Question

I had two wonderful rats. They were great pets and an awesome addition to our family. They loved to ride on our shoulders and sample whatever we were eating! I'd love to have one again.
BUT...
One got tumors/cancer and died in less than a year, and the other eventually got tumors/cancer but lived 2+ years.
Are regular rats as sociable and as good of pets as fancy rats?
I just can't watch another fuzzy friend suffer like that.

Answer 1

There's no such thing as a "regular" rat, but I sure would love to know what your definition of a "regular" rat is??? Even feeder rats are fancy rats. I know of pet stores that get stock in and separate the more colorful rats out, selling them as fancies and selling the others as feeders.

Any rat makes a good pet, if the "breeder" handles them when they are babies. Those of us in the rat fancy refer to our pets as fancy rats to distinguish them from wild rats.

Typically our pets (fancy rats) descended from lab rats, which in turn descended from wild rats, when somebody decided that lab rats would make good pets. All three have the scientific name of Rattus Norvegicus.

Sadly tumors/cancer, and myco, are very common in pet rats. There's no getting away from it if you choose to have rats as pets. You would have better luck in reducing your chances of having rats with these major diseases if you were to get your rats from a reputable breeder, instead of pet store.
The Ratster, http://www.ratster.com/, would be a good place to start your search for a good breeder in your area. The Ratster is constantly being updated.

I have had rats since I was 38 starting in 1997. I have over 50 rats at present and I have found them to be such an awesome small animal that I tend to love them for as long as they are with me, in spite of the medical problems. Average age of a pet rat is 2 - 3 years with a few reaching 4 or 5 years of age.

Sandra Beasley and the Spaz Rats (Rattery and Rescue)
http://spazrats.tripod.com
Specializing and Educating others in the care of pet rats for 10+ years

Answer 2

There is a huge variance in the projected lifespan of pet rats. Some sites say 1-2 years while another says 2-5 years. Generally, a 4 year old rat seems to be the max. Unfortunately, when it comes to rodents, there can be no difinitive answer because research hasn't really gone down this road.

Cancer will plague just about any living thing that is subjected to the same pollutants as people - only it overwhelms animals much faster because it doesn't usually get diagnosed until the damage is beyond repair. The signs of serious illness just don't seem obvious until the activity level or habits of the pet rat are compromised. By the time you think your little friend is sick, it's too late to do anything.

There is no difference in health issues between the fancy rats and the regular white or brown rats. A rat is a rat.

It's heartbreaking to lose any pet - but you have to understand that their lifespan is far different than yours and as soon as you adopt a baby rat, you need to understand that sooner or later, death will part you from your little friend. It's a matter of fact no matter what kind of pet you choose for yourself.

Please don't deny yourself the joy of owning another furry little friend just so you won't experience the inevitable loss. It's part of life. Enjoy your pet while you have him, give him the best care you can and know that when the end has come, you did everything you could to keep him happy and healthy.

Answer 3

Pet Rat Lifespan

Answer 4

I will have to completely disagree with Paul y, who has obviously never owned and/or loved pet rats.

You have undoubtedly chosen one of the most awesome pets one could ever have the chance to know. Unfortunately, the short life span is a trade off for the benefits you get from having such a best friend. Rats are loving, playful, cute, and full of personality. They are like our perception of the best tamed dog, only they don't keep you up from barking, there is no drool associated, and they don't live as long.

They are not hearty as Paul y claims and I would never recommend throwing them from a 5 story building. For that I would recommend prison time. Rats are prone to tumors and also respiratory diseases. I leave my home's heat at a constant level during the winter at all times to accommodate my Schiby's need for constant temperature control. I've heard too many stories from friends about the death of their rats due to leaving cages near open windows in the cold.

I would recommend rats as pets all day long to people responsible enough to care for them properly. With that said, you will want to find a breeder who will only let go of their kittens when they are fully acclimated to human handling. They need to be handled regularly by the breeder. Anyone who specializing in rat breeding will obviously have a deep love for the species and will give you pointers in how to care for your baby.

A rat breeder will sell you a fancy rat, which basically means it is a tamed (and maybe bred over time for the coloring). If you go to a pet store, you will most likely find a "regular" rat whose purpose is for feeding. Your best bet will be to search for a rat breeder and a fancy rat.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Fancy Rats vs. Regular Rats?
I had two wonderful rats. They were great pets and an awesome addition to our family. They loved to ride on our shoulders and sample whatever we were eating! I'd love to have one again.
BUT...
One got tumors/cancer and died in less than a year, and the other eventually got tumors/cancer but...

Answer 6

In addition to what North has said I'd like to add that if you are thinking about getting more rats then I'd recomend going to a reputable breeder in your area. They breed for health and tempetment first and formost. They tend to be less prone to getting sick, and therefore live longer and better.
My oldest girls are about 2 years old now.

Answer 7

do you smoke? maybe second hand smoke or drugs?
well the rats are very hardy. so don't go for that fancy stuff and just get a domestic tamed rat and they will outlive you!
You can throw a rat off a five story building and they will survive! They will live through fires and world wars.
the pague was blamed on the rats in the middle ages and they outlived that
the rats in japan lived through the atomic bomb and in case of wwIII some say they will be the only mamal that survives the holocast....hmmm/? well maybe but look at the movie rat Ben in the Movie ...Williard (S_P)

Answer 8

Check out the rats rule forum at http://www.goosemoose.com for more help, the people there are very knowledgable and willing to help.