[animemanic 91]

i have read tht they are really good to have as pets as they are very social etc. so if you have had or have a pet rat/s what has/is your experience been with them as pets. thanks x

[Beanz123]

The rat in Ratatouille seemed pretty social...

[modini]

(Original post by Beanz123)
The rat in Ratatouille seemed pretty social...

You watched it on TV yesterday, didn't you...?

[Theoneoranro]

Only a VERY strange and dirty little animal ever keeps a rat as a pet.

[Beanz123]

(Original post by modini)
You watched it on TV yesterday, didn't you...?

Actually no...

[modini]

(Original post by Beanz123)
Actually no...

Fair enough, coincidence :P

[petromasha]

(Original post by animemanic 91)
i have read tht they are really good to have as pets as they are very social etc. so if you have had or have a pet rat/s what has/is your experience been with them as pets. thanks x

They are great pets, and incredibly clean! You should always keep them in at least a pair as they are very intelligent and social. Ideally you need to spend an hour a day with them, and the rest of the time they can get attention from their ratty friends, otherwise they can become depressed.
They attach to their owners very well with correct handling, they are curious and love to sit on your shoulder or in your sleeve while you go about your business, so it's a good idea to keep them somewhere where they can observe people going past etc to keep them entertained.
They can be fairly easily trained to do various 'tricks' and can respond to their names.
I find they have far more personality than other small pets, they are all individuals.
Males tend to mark more, but it's only drops of urine so it's easily dealt with, tend to be a bit lazier and happier to flop down in your lap, and females are more active and eager to train. They only live about 2 years, which is sad as you get so attached, and are very prone to cancer and respiratory problems so you need to watch what bedding you use, but buy as big a cage as possible and be careful there should be little problem.
I just love that you can open the cage door and they'll come and go no problem, wander round the room and all over you for attention and you don't have to worry about them running off.
Great pets!

[Pop_tart]

(Original post by animemanic 91)
i have read tht they are really good to have as pets as they are very social etc. so if you have had or have a pet rat/s what has/is your experience been with them as pets. thanks x

Feel free to pm me, I have kept rats for 2 years and have a lot of experience with them. I currently have 8 rats. Anyone who says they are dirty animals either does not keep them correctly or simply doesn't know what (s)he is talking about.

Pet rats can not be compared with wild rats, they are a completely different breed.

[animemanic 91]

(Original post by petromasha)
They are great pets, and incredibly clean! You should always keep them in at least a pair as they are very intelligent and social. Ideally you need to spend an hour a day with them, and the rest of the time they can get attention from their ratty friends, otherwise they can become depressed.
They attach to their owners very well with correct handling, they are curious and love to sit on your shoulder or in your sleeve while you go about your business, so it's a good idea to keep them somewhere where they can observe people going past etc to keep them entertained.
They can be fairly easily trained to do various 'tricks' and can respond to their names.
I find they have far more personality than other small pets, they are all individuals.
Males tend to mark more, but it's only drops of urine so it's easily dealt with, tend to be a bit lazier and happier to flop down in your lap, and females are more active and eager to train. They only live about 2 years, which is sad as you get so attached, and are very prone to cancer and respiratory problems so you need to watch what bedding you use, but buy as big a cage as possible and be careful there should be little problem.
I just love that you can open the cage door and they'll come and go no problem, wander round the room and all over you for attention and you don't have to worry about them running off.
Great pets!

thanks for the really good detailed and informative reply just have to win my parents round lol saw a friends one for a while and i just fell in love with him x

[animemanic 91]

(Original post by Pop_tart)
Feel free to pm me, I have kept rats for 2 years and have a lot of experience with them. I currently have 8 rats. Anyone who says they are dirty animals either does not keep them correctly or simply doesn't know what (s)he is talking about.

Pet rats can not be compared with wild rats, they are a completely different breed.

8 rats wow, yea i know what you mean when i say to people that i would like pets rats there like, 'eeekk there disgusting' and then i try to explain how they are completely different from wild rat in the hope they will change their point of view about them x

[Pop_tart]

(Original post by animemanic 91)
8 rats wow, yea i know what you mean when i say to people that i would like pets rats there like, 'eeekk there disgusting' and then i try to explain how they are completely different from wild rat in the hope they will change their point of view about them x

I often get that as well. I try not to care really because some people just do not understand. Here are two photos of one of my rats (Oskar) who sadly passed away a few months back - how can anyone find that not cute? XD






Rats do actually have individual characters like petromasha said. Some are really lazy and love to snuggle others are hyper and cheeky. When I come in the room they always get excited, lick my fingers all over and love to sit in the hood of a hoodie :P Signs that your rat is really happy with you: grinding of teeth, licking/trying to groom you, and something called 'boggling' (this is when they sort of start vibrating with their eyes, it looks like they pop out XD but this is really the ultimate sign of happiness - hard to describe but here is a little video to show you).

[Anetata]

Ratties are the best! I have 2 atm and have had 3 when I was younger! They are sooo social and have their own little personalities which makes them great (and funny) ha


Can't really add much more other to what petromasha has posted, it's all covered in that post pretty much!


You should soooo get one I love my ratties so much, they're the best pets

[Indian_Princess]

rats are the most vile creatures on earth

[RicardoFigueiredo]

Rats are amazing and the most amazing pet I ever had. I already created a post about my rats here, some mounths ago.

[animemanic 91]

(Original post by Pop_tart)
I often get that as well. I try not to care really because some people just do not understand. Here are two photos of one of my rats (Oskar) who sadly passed away a few months back - how can anyone find that not cute? XD






Rats do actually have individual characters like petromasha said. Some are really lazy and love to snuggle others are hyper and cheeky. When I come in the room they always get excited, lick my fingers all over and love to sit in the hood of a hoodie :P Signs that your rat is really happy with you: grinding of teeth, licking/trying to groom you, and something called 'boggling' (this is when they sort of start vibrating with their eyes, it looks like they pop out XD but this is really the ultimate sign of happiness - hard to describe but here is a little video to show you).

awww he soo cute!!! am sure u were gutted when he died

[animemanic 91]

(Original post by Anetata)
Ratties are the best! I have 2 atm and have had 3 when I was younger! They are sooo social and have their own little personalities which makes them great (and funny) ha


Can't really add much more other to what petromasha has posted, it's all covered in that post pretty much!


You should soooo get one I love my ratties so much, they're the best pets

Believe i would get one right now if i could but don't think parents would be impressed :P so just going to wear them down until they say yes

[animemanic 91]

(Original post by RicardoFigueiredo)
Rats are amazing and the most amazing pet I ever had. I already created a post about my rats here, some mounths ago.

will have to find it and have a nosy

[Pop_tart]

(Original post by animemanic 91)
awww he soo cute!!! am sure u were gutted when he died

Some might think this sounds ridiculous but I really feel like I had a special band with him. I often took him in bed and he would just snooze next to me under the covers, if i'd then leave the room he would sit at the corner of the bed waiting till I came back and as soon as I'd walk in he ran back to where he was sleeping.

Also, I used to have this toy rat in the cage for them to play with (from IKEA lol) and every single time the food bowl was empty they would put the toy rat (face) in the food bowl! It could be pure coincidence but it happened several times and always when the food bowl was empty so I'm convinced they actually did it to indicate "WE WANT FOOOOD" XD

[animemanic 91]

(Original post by Pop_tart)
Some might think this sounds ridiculous but I really feel like I had a special band with him. I often took him in bed and he would just snooze next to me under the covers, if i'd then leave the room he would sit at the corner of the bed waiting till I came back and as soon as I'd walk in he ran back to where he was sleeping.

it doesnt sound ridiculus at all! he sounds lovely

Also, I used to have this toy rat in the cage for them to play with (from IKEA lol) and every single time the food bowl was empty they would put the toy rat (face) in the food bowl! It could be pure coincidence but it happened several times and always when the food bowl was empty so I'm convinced they actually did it to indicate "WE WANT FOOOOD" XD

lol thts so clever of them and i think you are totally right tht defo what they were telling you XD

[jellybean_]

Rats were the best pets I ever had

Ever so social & loving, enjoyed nothing more than a good old cuddle on the sofa at night with a good film on. Who needs a boyfriend/girlfriend eh Haha, mine also loved sitting on my dogs head - was very impressed that my whippet x greyhound didnt want to eat them!

Also definitely one of the cheaper pets, once you've got all the starter kit sorted anyway. Food is dirt cheap, and they are happy (and healthy) when allowed other treats. Mine loved frosties! Also just chuck a small cardboard box,bits of newspaper and an old small teddy in their cage and they are happy for hours

Rambling on a bit here, but I really do love rats. Amazing pets, and very clean - however one of my boys was very smelly at times, poor chap