Pet rats? Does anyone have one? Where did you get them?

Question

I am wondering if anyone has gotten a baby rat from a pet store and been able to tame them? If so how did you do it?--What are you feeding your rats?--My moms eats seeds like what we feed our sun conure--I know we can feed him cheerios but what else can we give them...any help would be appreciated---Have been wanting a pet rat for quite a while just not sure where to get them from

Has anyone trained theirs to wear a collar or harness and walk on a leash if so how?

Any other tips on raising rats would be appreciated--including breeding.

Thank you so much for your time-and for helping me with this question!

I ALSO HAVE 2 KITTENS AGES 4.5 AND 5 MONTHS SHOULD THIS BE A CONCERN?

Answer 1

Rats make great pets. Theyre clean, have hardly any odor, are very sociable and smart. You need to tame them like any pet but after theyre tame, in my opinion, they make better pets than hamsters do.

Pet stores sell "rat food" but you can also mix in a bag of grainy cereal (like cheerios, wheat puffs, rice crispies, etc). It makes the food last twice as long, and my rats always like the treat. I've never put mine in a harness, so I dont know if they'd like that, but once theyre tame, they'll sit on your shoulder while you're doing other things. (Until theyre tame, dont let them do this, an untame rat will head right for your shoulder, because he's trying to get away from your hands. Alot of people mistake this for them being tame when theyre not. But once your rat is used to you and your hands, if it wants to sit on your shoulders, that's fine).

If you're going to get one, you'll need a big cage, preferrably wire, because rats enjoy climbing, a rat wheel (hamster wheels are too small) a water bottle, a heavy food dish (heavy, because your rat will sit on the edge of it to eat, if its light weight, they'll tip it over constantly), and something to sleep in. (Mine have a big plastic igloo, they love it). Research rats online or go to the library and get books on them. They make excellent pets.

Also, if you get more than one, unless you ARE trying to breed, get 2 of the same sex. I had 3 males and one female once (when I was new to owning rats), and it wasnt long before my female gave birth to 22 babies.

Alot of pet stores only have "feeder" rats. Those are rats that are meant to be snake food. They dont get nearly any socialization but if you're patient and persistant, you can turn a feeder rat into a great pet. 2 of my 3 pet rats that I own right now were meant to be feeders, and they're great pets. They wouldn't hurt a soul.

Not sure where you're from but most pet stores sell rats. Just some have them in the back because theyre meant to be feeders.

If you cant find any at your pet store, try http://www.petfinder.com . Type in your zip code, and the kind of pet youre looking for (rat, obviously) and they'll give you listings of pet rats for sale, starting with the nearest to you.

Answer 2

I own two rats, both females, ones a hooded, and one's hairless. They're wonderful pets. However, be very careful when purchasing a pet rat. Most pet stores just don't care about the well being of the rat simply because most will end up snake food. Also, be even more careful when buying a female, most places don't separate the sexes. I ended up with babies. You shouldn't feed a rat just seeds and cheerios. You can buy a good mixed chow, specially designed for rats at a petsmart or petco. I also use lab blocks as well as the mix. Dry dog food can be given fairly often, wet dog food, or any kind of meat can be offered as a treat. Fresh veggies and fruits are always welcomed as well.

I don't suggest breeding rats. A rat can have a litter of 15. It's hard to place rats in pet homes, and most people go to their local store for their snakes food.

Answer 3

I have rats, and they are wonderful pets. Yes, I have purchased a young rat from a store and raised it. Lots of daily handling will allow your rat to feel safe being handled and will help him bond with you; my rats are very affectionate little buggers.

I have not trained my rats to walk on a leash or wear a collar. I made them a play area, where I can turn them all out together for exercise.

I am going to strongly suggest you don't breed your rats unless you are willing to care for or find homes for about 15 babies.

Rats love fresh veggies and fruits, as well as a good seed mixture.

Answer 4

We have both of them. My daughter has a albino lavender king snake plus we have 11 rats. Some however rats are up for adoption. We don't live feed her (snake) and mice or rats only frozen fuzzies we get from a pet store. We also have mice, Syrian hamsters, dwarf hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, cats, dogs, cockatiels, a few fish, a tarantula, an iguana, a wolf hybrid, a Pygmy goat and a red sheep. They are kept at my home and not in a shelter or pet store.

Answer 5

I had a rat for several years who I got as a baby. The best way to bond with them when they are young is to spend a lot of time with them and pet them as much as they seem comfortable letting you, and when they seem to trust you, handle them as often as possible. Food is also a good way to a new rat's heart. A healthy treat like and unsalted peanut in the shell is a good icebreaker.
As for food, most stores such as Petsmart or Petco sell rat food. And i recommend getting one that is actually a rat food as opposed to a food geared towards another animal or rodent. Rats are very affectionate and social so only get one if you have time a good amount of time to spend with it each day. Otherwise you may want to think about getting two so they won't get so lonely. Make sure you buy them together if you decided to get more than one (i recommend females) because then you don't have to worry about introducing a strange rat.

Answer 6

My rats don't wear collars and I don't use a leash but in the house they will come when their name is called. They are pretty smart, like having little dogs that never bark.

I wouldn't recomend you breed them without first investing the time in reading a lot of material and buying the proper cages. Breeders, at least the reputable ones spend a lot of time with their animals and know what they are doing.

For food, mine get a mixture of everything. I use hamster extrusion for them, mixed with apple slices, cheerios, oatmeal, peas and carrots. I also give them chicken and chicken bones to chew on. Most seeds they aren't too thrilled with, they can't hold them but they do like sunflower seeds.

By tame if you mean socialize, that's real easy. Spend time with them, hold out your hand and eventually the little rattie will just go to you and want to play. The more time you spend, the friendlier they become.

All my boys think of me as a big rat who brings food, fresh water and rubs bellies. It could be worse.

Answer 7

My neighbour has a pet rat and sorry I do not know where he got his. He find his very easy to take care of because rat doesn't have the kind of fur that cats or dogs have. I believe the rat just stays in his cage and only hangs around at his home that's all.

Answer 8

OK buy a rat as a baby at petco or petsmart then after it gets used to your hands and smell (they are very sensitive to smell)start to put the harness on it for a short amount of time at first then gradually increase the time it wears it. as to food rats eat almost anything but i suggest Guinea pig food.

Answer 9

My best friend has rats. She feeds them yogurt drops as treats (not sure what the primary food is). She mostly keeps them in a cage but sometimes she takes them out and holds them in her arms.

She has some soft felt fabric hanging from the top of the cage that they can crawl into and sleep in.

Answer 10

i got my 7 month old male from the pet store when he was 5 months and it took just over a week to get him used to me. my 2 month old male came from a breeder when he was 4 weeks old. i wasn't told that they had to be kept in same sex pairs when i got my first one. mine eats lab blocks and fresh veggies. look online for a list of dangerous foods.