Would you recommend a rat as a pet? Why or why not?

Question

I have done a lot of research on having rats as pets and have personal experience handling them (I work part time at Petco), but I am trying to convince my husband to get two. We currently have a 2 year old hamster and he loves him. However, like most people, he doesn't like rats' tails. I've told him everything I could think of, but I was thinking by asking this question, perhaps you too can give him some reasons to have (or not have) rats - basically from your personal experience?

One more thing, would you recommend for a rat a big CritterTrail (wire cage with plastic bottom) with tubes for a rat?

I currently have this one but if it doesn't work, I will buy another one - I know rats need to climb:
http://www.petco.com/product/11499/Super-Pet-CritterTrail-Two.aspx

Do rats even like tubes?

Answer 1

I would recommend getting a rat 100%. They are very sweet and affectionate and love attention! I have 4 rats and they are absolutely the sweetest creatures next to dogs. They can be litter trained and you can even teach them their name! Their tails are nothing to worry about at all, either. They're not scaly at all, just fuzzy and soft. I would suggest getting a wire cage with a metal or plastic bottom for easy cleaning. You could also get an aquarium with a wire top, which works well too. Remember that they can fit through the smallest places, believe it or not. I have a HUGE ferret cage that I got for my adult rats and then can still escape through the bars, which are about 1 inch thick. And they definitely need companionship! They are very social and when they are introduced to a new friend, the accept them right away and groom them as a welcome. And they also offer them food (with my experience anyway)!

So yes, I would definitely get a rat if I were you. Chances are your husband will love them! If you get girls, most of them don't like to run in wheels, but boys love it. Have fun with your future ratties!

Answer 2

I would definetly recommend it. I have a few rats as pets. They are very intelligent and they don't take any more work than other rodents. I never really understand why people didn't like the tails. They are so cool. And they are not unsanitary pets, at least no more than a guinea pig or hamster. Just make sure to get them from a pet store you really trust. I had bad luck with the Petsmart by me when I got rats. Two of them were kind of mean, but the others I have had were always very kind and never bit anyone. The others might have been old or something. For the most part, I love having pet rats!

Answer 3

Absolutely! Rats make wonderful pets. I love hamsters but rats are more playful, and smarter. They're also very clean,funny, cuddly, etc etc. Everyone is afraid of the tail at first but they get over it. I think alot of people think theyre "slimey" or something. Tell him that you can litter train your rat, and train it to do tricks such as beg, come when called, stand up, etc etc. (theyre basically rodent dogs).

That cage is NOT acceptable. Im sorry but that's WAY too small. I doubt your rat would ever be able to make it up those tubes, and he'd never be able to use the wheel, due to their tails. They need a big cage (with the bars close enough together that they cant squeeze out, and rats can squeeze...especially females), and a wheel designed especially for a rat. Hamster wheels are much, much too small. Rats dont care about tubes to climb in, they'd be better off with bars and ladders , but they would like a hut to sleep in at night. If you know someone with a tame rat, bring your husband around it so he can experience it first hand. Once he gets over the tail, if he loves your hamster, chances are, he'll fall more in love with a rat.

I've been a rat owner for years, and literally the only con I can think of about owning rats, is that they dont live very long (about the same as a hamster, 2-4 years). Males and females both make amazing pets if tamed correctly (as long as you dont keep a male and a female together). The only reason I tend to buy males more than females is because female rats are more prone to tumors. I've never had a male rat get one (although, it does happen), but I have had 2 female rats get them. (which isnt alot, because I've owned several female rats). You can have them removed with surgery though, so its not a death sentence for them. I sincerely hope your hubby changes his mind, so he can experience how truly rewarding being a rat owner is.

Answer 4

I would definately recommend having a rat as a pet. They make great pets! They're friendly and intelligent, and even though most people don't think so - they're pretty clean too. Some people do mind the tail, but you get used to it. I know my mom used to have a problem with it also. We also had a CritterTrail for Baby (my rat's name :) ) and she loved to run around it the tubes. Hope this helps a little. :)

Answer 5

Since your husband enjoys the hamster, chances are really good he'll love rats once he's gotten to know them.
I would recommend 2 rats, not just one, so they can hang out together. Boys don't necessarily fight, especially if they've been raised together. Our PEW brothers never fight. Since you interact with rats @ Petco, you may know that boys tend to be mellower & girls are usually more inquisitive & that everyone has his or her own personality, just like the rest of us. Most of them are sweet, smart & affectionate & make wonderful companions.
It's so funny that you mentioned the aversion to rats' tails-- I used to think they resembled earthworms & it took me quite awhile to get used to them but it hasn't been a problem for a lot of years now. Some of our little guys kind of 'hug' us with their tails, soooo endearing.
A Crittertrail would probably be much too small for a rat, unless you're thinking of the ferret-sized ones. We have our mice in a Crittertrail & they love it though.

Answer 6

We have a pet rat that my daughter named 'tie dye'. I call him Ratley, it fits better. Over the Christmas season, I accidentally got Ratley addicted to Christmas cookies....everyone we went by, we'd break off a bit of a cookie and drop it in his cage. (A clear sign WE were eating too many cookies.) He got to where he would scream -- I kid you not -- if we walked past and didn't "snack" him. I thought he was going to go nuts after Christmas when the cookie supply dried up. Then one day, I realized that he would come out of his house and squeal every time I gave the dog a biscuit. He's switched his addiction -- now when the dog gets a treat, so does Ratley. He mostly observes US like WE are the ones in the cage....he doesnt' let us hold him, but he sure likes his treats. I can't tell you how much we enjoy him. He takes very very little care for what we get in return.

Before Ratley, we had another rat (who unfortunately escaped). That rat was SO loving, he would sit on my shoulder and watch tv when I was feeling generous. Like people, they each have their own personality. Do you want a sweet one, or a grumpy old man? You can find whatever kind you want, just go to a pet store and "interview" one. Also, if you are a member of Yahoo groups, you could post on Freecycle in your area, looking for a rat. We got Ratley from Freecycle, from a family who was 'overpopulated'.

If you get two rats, make sure they aren't both male, they get very aggressive to each other.

Answer 7

Rats are intelligent and learn quite fast though the males can be stubborn when it comes to toilet training and trying to teach them not to piddle over everything in their cage lol.
It's true that people always moan about their tails and I think it's sick and cruel that they'd only want a rat if it's tail is removed because their tails are a part of their body and help with balance and are abit like a second arm in my opinion.

Answer 8

Rats are amazing pets. They are sweet and intelligent and very entertaining! One thing that people sometimes don't realize is that they need a lot of time to exercise and play otherwise they are likely to get depressed. They are very social and love to have cage mates to cuddle, groom and play with. I recommend them to any avid animal lover that will take the time to teach them, play with them and cater to all their health needs.

Although they only cost around $6 at pet stores you have to understand that you are making a commitment to look after their health, clean their cages around once a week and pay for expensive vet visits. I have had to take each of my boys to the vet at least once and it is not cheap! They are, however, very endearing and you will bond to them just as you would with a dog or cat.

My biggest complaint is their life span (generally around 3 years).

As for tubing- I would say absolutely not! It is hard to find any that is big enough for rats and their urine has a high ammonia content that makes it important to have clean, aerated living space. The bigger the cage and the more interactive toys, treats and bedding the better!

PS: Boys are not aggressive. Aggression varies from rat to rat. My boys love eachother. They are big ol' sissies that snuggle. When my last guys passed I found him hours later with his brother still cuddling him. It was heartbreaking and now he is depressed:(

Answer 9

My friend had rats when I was growing up and they are so sweet, and so smart. They are affectionate and playful too (something I didn't know until I met her rat). The tail is velvety soft and kinda cool once you handle them a bit. I would love to own a rat, but I have 3 cats with high prey drive. :( He wouldn't last a day. Good luck! I hope you can sway him!

Answer 10

My friend had a rat named Benny and he was very sweet! He liked to curl up in your shirt and just lay there. But he also had lots of energy too. I do think the draw back is that they don't live long. Rat tails are actally kind of soft really, they aren't as bad as I had htought they would be when I met Benny. I do recommend them to people who will provide loving care to them becaus eotherwise they make bad pets.