I really want a rat!?

Question

I am sooooooooo annoyed I could scream, my dad won't let me have a rat. I've wanted a mouse or rat for 5 years now, and I have had no luck persuading my dad, my mam has even tries persueding him! It's so unfair. Please help me if you have any suggestions to persuade him otherwise. I can't talk to him because he won't listen then I end up crying, it would'nt be him who would care for it!
Thanx in advance,
Rachel (age 12)

Answer 1

Rachel my dear, I worked with small animals all my life. Now I got a bus pass so you know how old that is ! A fancy rat,(thats the name for pet rats) bears no relation to our wild rats. They are clean,sweet smelling,( but remember to keep cage clean,) and non-aggressive. Highly intelligent,you can teach them tricks that they love to do cause they like to think, and loyal to their owners,you can take them out and about on your shoulder, they won't leave you. They carry no diseases like wild rats. In fact they have to be bred for health because (unfortunately) so many are used for medical research. They are awake during the day and are cheap to feed. Most people think the hampster is the ideal small pet, but they are awake at night and want to sleep in the day, also theydon't really like being handled. you're far more likely to be bitten by a hamster than you ever would be by a fancy rat.You should get a good book from the library and read up about housing and what to feed before you start work on your Dad. Then you can truely say that you know what you are taking on, and you won't make any mistakes when you finally get one. All the ideas in other replies are good for bargaining with him. However,, some people are just really afraid of rats and no amount of persuasion will make them feel any different. If thats the case with your dad you must back down gracefully and try again at a later date. Hope this might help.

Answer 2

Oh, when I was your age, I had a pet white rat named Winston. He was really a pretty smart little guy and became very tame - he even liked to have his tummy tickled!

There IS a certain amount of odor associated with a rodent, but if you are careful to keep the cage clean and change the litter at least every three days, that won't be a problem. They are easy to keep, don't make a lot of noise and, as I said, a lot smarter than you might think.

What you should do, I think, is some research on white rats. Find out how expensive it would be to keep them, what you'd need and, most of all, what YOU are willing to do in order to be able to have one. Maybe if you made some kind of a deal with your father - like promising to wash the car once a week - he might be more amenable to the idea.

Remember, though - some people simply HATE rodents and no amount of persuasion is going to overcome this.

Answer 3

Do some research on rats to show you know what you're getting into. We have 3 rats and they are so awesome. 2 of them are litter box trained. They have never bitten us and it really doesn't cost THAT much to have them. The most expensive thing is the start up cost, cage, food, toys. I advise against an aquarium, they hold in the smell. I do advise getting 2 of the same sex, they are very social and will keep each other happy while you are in school or away.
Good luck!

Answer 4

I used to work at a pet store and I can tell you a rat is a good choice over a hamster or mouse. Mice bite,and hamsters are nocturnal. Rats are intelligent and enjoy being with you.males are better. But,your parents are your guide.Nobody else in the world has more motivation for your best interest.You may just have to wait until you are the decision maker.

Answer 5

Leave it to your mum to talk to him.

You use emotional blackmail.Apart from when your dad asks you something totally ignore him,keep this up for as long as it takes-sooner or later he'll give.

Or plan 2 if you have your own cash buy them (you need 2 as they need company) anyway and if he tries to get rid of them walk out and don't go back for hrs-stay out till really late at night when he will be worried out of his head,do the same every day till he is well trained.

Answer 6

um that stinks

my best advice whould be perswade your dad but i guess it didn't work for u
i wanted to do horseback riding but it's $85 a month and i was too young(at my riding school u have to be 11) and i waited til i was old enough and i got to do it

i have 2 guines pigs

i guess just say (i will do chores ever day if i get a rat, and i will clean it and feed it every day and i will always play with it! PLEASE dad!"

that's my advice

Answer 7

Does daddy have a reason to say no. How well do you take care of your other stuff? Do you do chores without being told, homework, clean own room. Get the idea kid. Just how responsible are you? This is a living thing you are talking about.

Answer 8

Just Buy One And Kid On It Its A Hamster !
Just Say That You WILL Care For It ,
You Could Even Take Him To A Petshop And Just Stand And Stare And Refuse To Move ! Get Him To Look Too , He'll Soon Get Used To Them

Answer 9

My son wanted a rat, and I didn't well he had his own money and bought one anyways. he took care of it himself. once I started getting use to them. I went out and bought him another one, I rather have a rat, than a hamster or gerbil. they don't bite. well mine didn't. they are cute. as long as its from a pet store and not wild. and I have to agree with penny c. she hit it on the button.

Answer 10

Ahh... you don't want a rat. You may think it's all fun in games, but once you get one, you're commited to it's life untile it dies. And when it dies, you'll feel like it's your fault because it probably was. Rats/rodents rarely die of "old age" when being taken care of by people. They usually die because we were to irresponsable to keep them alive. Believe me, rodents may be strong and sturdy, but they die easily too. You have to make sure it isn't sick (and it's hard to tell) or constapated (wich is harder) or has any other waste problem, all of wich are deadly.

If you think you are responsible enough to handle a rat, make a deal with your father. Tell him you'll keep your room clean forever, and as soon as it gets messy, he can sell the rat... kill it, burn it... anything. Or tell him you'll get strait A's or something. Keep your word though, he just might do it.

But you have to be 100% sure you can handle it. Rats are also expenssive. Maybe not the rat itself, but the stuff you'll have to buy for it. For just crappy no good supplies, it'll cost around 80$. If you want average quality, expect 100$ flying away from you.