Have you EVER owned a rat?

Question

I have a few questions about pet rats:
1. Is there anyone out there who didn’t like them as pets?
2. How easy are they to train?
3. Can they eat dog food?
4. What is the down side to owning a rat?
5. The up side?
6. If you have ever owned a sugar glider please compare them.
7. Do they need any special heating in there cage?
8. Do they smell?
9. Will it run away from me if I put it on the floor?
10. How can I convince my mom to let me have one?*she hates them*
Please tell me anymore important info that I have not added.
I want to know everything, the good and the bad.
Thank you VERY much.

Answer 1

yes. I've both owned and currently own rats.

many people are scared of them because of their image as "vermin", and they haven't been educated properly. Wild rats are a totally different thing to the pretty little domestics. The impression I get is that the majority of domestic rat owners hate wild rats, and would not hesitate to kill one if they came across it.

They are very easily trained, as long as you are consistent in training. Start very easily, get them used to you, by handling them very frequently. Hand them to different people (making sure that children are supervised at all times, and very very careful when handling them) the constant handling is good for the rat's socialisation.

Get them used to your presence in the cage...offer food (they love peanut butter sandwiches with no margarine) or such things to gain their trust, and then when you have their trust, teach them tricks and what not. There are some great books on training rats, go to your local library.

The down side, they *may* (though this is very rare that I can gather) develop territorial behaviour, and start biting. If this happens, take nippy to an animal rescue shelter, or keep her carefully, because it can't be fixed (one of my rats was like that, and I *very* carefully kept her until she died).

The up side...they are very very very affectionate, always eager for human contact and very easy to care for once you know how.

I've had a sugar glider, and they are nothing like them. Sugar gliders are wild animals and don't interract like rats do.

They don't need special heating, but they do need to be kept away from drafts (the cage needs to be put up off the floor (I keep my rat's cage on a small table in the hallway). They also need to be kept away from extremes of temperature, as they cannot handle them well at all. Make sure they have a "shelter" of some type in their cage (shoe boxes or sturdy school lunch boxes with holes cut into them work well) that they can retreat to.

Rats are naturally nocturnal animals, and when you bring them home at first, they may stay up all night (which is quite noisy! make sure their cage is away from bedrooms). Also, put a cover over their cage at night. Eventually, they'll take on your habits, and sleep at night.

They smell only if you don't clean them (male or female, the smell is the same). I recommend cleaning them twice a week at most, because they need their "scent" in the cage. They tend to smell more if you over clean, because they mark if they cannot smell themselves (always put a little of the old bedding back into the cage, so as they have their smell and are less likely to mark).

A rat will run around if you let it (they're curious little munchkins). If you let it loose, make sure all the doors (and windows, they can climb if you give them the chance) are closed, that draft stoppers of some type are put against the doors, that small spaces are covered (because they will get into the tiniest spaces) and that other pets/children are kept away from them when they're loose (you don't want anyone stepping on them by accident!). It is absolutely crucial (to me) to keep young children away from the cage, no matter how much they beg, unless supervised near, or while handling the rats. Also educate anyone who will be dealing with the rats that rats can get nippy when fingers poke through cage bars, because they think fingers are food. If someone gets bitten while doing this, it is not the rat's fault. They don't pre-meditate it.

My rats often nibble at my fingers when I put things into their cage ... they are exploring my fingers, wondering if they taste good :) There is a difference between a nibble and a full on bite. The rat will scrape their teeth over your finger if they are exploring (which is actually quite pleasant...I feel very bonded to my girls when they nibble me) and if they bite, you know about it. They give you very sharp bite, maybe a bit of a mark, or bruise, or even draw blood.

I'd advise you to get your mum some books on rats and rat care, and show her websites (there are some great ones on the net) take her to the pet shop to hold them (the staff are often willing to let them out for a pat) show her my post if it helps.

Anyway, I hope this helps you :) and give your rat a welcome home pat (or two or three!) for me :)

Answer 2

My good friend had a rat, and she was smart, easy to train, loving, would play hide and seek with the dogs, never bit her, and was just the coolest pet!
This took some training of course, but rats are smart. You are talking about RATS and not MICE correct?? Most people have issues with rats because of the tail and the urban legend of the cat-sized sewer rat with diseases.
My friend said LuLu was easy to care for, just a cage cleaning once a week. Her cage was pretty big with platforms, landings, wheels and walkways from place to place. She also had a tree thing you'd usually see in an amphibian cage for her to climb around on. Rats love to chew so she'd throw in used toilet paper rolls and kleenex boxes. LuLu would gain weight easily cuz rats can eat almost anything, so she had to keep an eye on her sugar and fat intake. No special heating was needed. Just fresh water every day and most rats love human interaction.
The only sad thing is that Rats in general don't live more than a few years because they are so inbred. They make great pets, though.
Keep doing your research. Show your mom how much you want one and dispell the myths about rats. Also if you get more than one, two males can NEVER be kept in the same cage. They will fight and hurt each other. Females can, but when they're young is the time to introduce them.
Good luck!

Answer 3

1) Well.. my father..
2) They are somewhat easy to train, depends how young you get them..
3) They *can* eat dog food, but it might be too high in protein and can cause skin reactions.
4) The down side.. they live such short lives, the males tend to mark things with urine.. females are prone to mammary tumors.
5) They make wonderful pets, very entertaining, easy to keep, loving, smart, fun to watch and play with.
6) Never owned a sugar glider..
7) No, they do fine at room temp. If it's a bit cooler, you can give them some scrap fabric to cuddle in to stay warm. (such as old t-shirts, socks, etc)
8) Yes, rats can smell, especially males. I suggest keeping them on Yesterday's News paper pellet bedding with regular cage cleanings..
9) Yes, they will run off if you don't keep an eye on them, especially if they aren't used to you. Some can be trained to come back, but it's best to keep them in your control for their safety (their curiosity can get them into trouble sometimes)
10) Do your research, provide evidence to her that you are responsible enough. (Don't forget to get 2 same gendered, they're social!)

You can also join a forum, such as petrodents.com where others are happy to answer any further questions :)

Answer 4

owned more than one make great pets and can be trained a little to trust you and to be shooed back in their cage when free time is up.Mine were fed on dog food with a little oil added also a variety of vegetables and love their oranges.Down side is that they need at least daily attention to check on the cage and to provide fresh food.The cage needs no special heating but ratties need to be provided with warm bedding material (wool scraps, soft paper or bedding straw) also need things to amuse them----exercise wheel,paper to rip up,hammock to rest in,climbing pole, shelving to check out, bone to chew on.They do not smell as long as you regularly (about once a week) clean cage.I use kitty litter,sand (not too fine) sawdust, wood shavings and sometimes just dirt from the garden which they check out very thoroughly.They will investigate things if on the floor and may chew on things-- clothes--rattie holes not a good look electrical wires---not good for rattie or appliance will come back to you if tame as like to be handled and given treats (small tasty human food). How to convince your mum? Showing that you are a responsible, caring, helpful person ,who can be trusted and relied upon in other words be so helpful and considerate that you will need to be rewarded......

Answer 5

Your mum sounds like my mum. I don't have rats but my best friend has them and he is my neighbour. they don't need heating.They don't smell if you clean them. The down side to rats is the breeding they breed fast. Put the rat/rats in a sealed room it will scamper and explore.

Answer 6

I've never owned a rat.. but are they really ideal to have as a pet?

Answer 7

Yeah, i've owned them but didn't like them because they were boring. You don't feed them anything but rat food unless you want them to be unhealthy. They stink if you don't clean their cages regularly. Of course it'll run away if it's scared, and it'll explore if it's not. Get a ferret, they're way cuter and more exciting.

Answer 8

No, I've never owned a rat, but I think they'll eat just about anything.

Answer 9

There is no way in hell your mother is going to let you have a rat. That is GROSS. Rats are filthy, ugly, germ-laden vermin, the most repulsive creatures on the planet. Get a normal pet.

Answer 10

See the remake of "Willard" with Crispin Glover. That'll seal the deal! One look at my precious Ben, and she'll melt.