Any rat owners here?
My partner and I are considering getting pair of rats as pets. We have read all the information in pets at home and looked at a lot of the rats they had in there and are pretty sure that rats are what we want (although he was quite taken with the degus). We've also done some calculations on the cost of everything; cage, water bottle, food, bedding, toys etc. I've wanted rats for a very long time but my mum wouldn't let me. I just wondered if there were any owners on here that might have additional information that a pet store might not be able to tell us or anything that you have learnt from owning rats? Obviously we want our rats to be happy and well cared for, we just don't want to be caught out by not having something that we later find we need or would be beneficial.
Original post by hippieglitter
My partner and I are considering getting pair of rats as pets. We have read all the information in pets at home and looked at a lot of the rats they had in there and are pretty sure that rats are what we want (although he was quite taken with the degus). We've also done some calculations on the cost of everything; cage, water bottle, food, bedding, toys etc. I've wanted rats for a very long time but my mum wouldn't let me. I just wondered if there were any owners on here that might have additional information that a pet store might not be able to tell us or anything that you have learnt from owning rats? Obviously we want our rats to be happy and well cared for, we just don't want to be caught out by not having something that we later find we need or would be beneficial.
Yes, I had four rats and they make amazing pets. I would recommend getting females over males, their wee doesn't smell as much and they are more sociable and less territorial. They are very sociable animals if handled regularly when you first get them and you can just let them run around you and your room when you get them out. You will need to get them and let them run around for at the very least an hour a day as they get really bored, and I would say with the cage the bigger the better.
One sad this is though rats are very prone to tumors, two out of my four got non cancerous tumors, they didn't cause any pain its just when they get bigger it gets in the way of them cleaning etc
Hope this helped
Original post by hippieglitter
My partner and I are considering getting pair of rats as pets. We have read all the information in pets at home and looked at a lot of the rats they had in there and are pretty sure that rats are what we want (although he was quite taken with the degus). We've also done some calculations on the cost of everything; cage, water bottle, food, bedding, toys etc. I've wanted rats for a very long time but my mum wouldn't let me. I just wondered if there were any owners on here that might have additional information that a pet store might not be able to tell us or anything that you have learnt from owning rats? Obviously we want our rats to be happy and well cared for, we just don't want to be caught out by not having something that we later find we need or would be beneficial.
I have two female rats and they make lovely pets
As the above poster has said, females smell a bit less and they're really sociable. My girls love sitting on my boyfriends shoulder while I clean the cage out 
The only thing I would say is to be careful where you get them from, I got one female rat from Pets at Home and they keep them in tiny little cages and she'd hardly been handled. I had her for a week or two but every time I tried to put my hand in the cage (even just to change the food) she bit me and drew blood so I ended up taking her back. Just check a few pet shops out before you buy any and ask the staff if they handle the rats and stuff.
Pet shops are not the best places to get your rats from, as the above poster said that are often unhandled and don't usually receive the best start in life care-wise - you will very likely be able to find a responsible fancy rat breeder near you who will be able to tell you about the animal's parents, grandparents, care, diet and socilisation to date. Rats from a good breeder cost barely more than pet shop rats but you are more likely to get a well-handled, well-bred and healthy rat from them. Plus, you can often get more interesting colour and coat varieties from a breeder who specialises in them!
Have a look here; http://www.nfrs.org/findingabreeder.html
Good luck finding a pair of rats They make such great pets!
Have a look here; http://www.nfrs.org/findingabreeder.html
Good luck finding a pair of rats
They make such great pets!
I own mice myself (would have liked rats equally, but decided I couldn't afford a big enough cage), but thought you might be interested in this site which I get my food from. It's got lots of different foodstuffs that are good for rats (including for if they're young/elderly/sick etc.), plus toys, bedding and the like. Shipping is a little expensive, but other than that it's a great site and everyone I know that uses it has recommended it to me. This one is also good, especially for selling species-appropriate cages, and you get 10% off your first order.
Also have you considered getting your rats from a rescue? Crittery is a good place to start, it lists animals that are available nationwide as well as giving links to local rescues.
This one is also good, especially for selling species-appropriate cages, and you get 10% off your first order.Also have you considered getting your rats from a rescue? Crittery is a good place to start, it lists animals that are available nationwide as well as giving links to local rescues.
Im not a rat owner so I don't really know much about having them as a pet but I found this site: http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/ . I hope its useful
Thanks for all the replies, most I only saw just now though. We got our rats earlier today from pets at home, two lovely little girls, name suggestions welcome.
I asked the lady in the shop if they'd been handled and she said not very much, so not sure how that is going to work and they had quite a lot of difficulty getting them out of the cage and into the box to take them home in.
One did give my bf a little nip when he stuck his fingers through the bars but they may just be a little stressed from the move and the new surroundings. Aside from that they seem to be settling in well, they have food and water and seem to like the hammock I got for them to sleep in.
We gave them a little bit of the chicken from our roast which they seemed very taken with. My bf thought it was very funny how they went over to it, sniffed it then each took a little bit back into the hammock and kept coming out getting a bit and taking it back to bed. Hopefully if we give them a little bit of time to get used to us and slowly introduce the idea of handling they will be ok.
I asked the lady in the shop if they'd been handled and she said not very much, so not sure how that is going to work and they had quite a lot of difficulty getting them out of the cage and into the box to take them home in.
One did give my bf a little nip when he stuck his fingers through the bars but they may just be a little stressed from the move and the new surroundings. Aside from that they seem to be settling in well, they have food and water and seem to like the hammock I got for them to sleep in.
We gave them a little bit of the chicken from our roast which they seemed very taken with. My bf thought it was very funny how they went over to it, sniffed it then each took a little bit back into the hammock and kept coming out getting a bit and taking it back to bed. Hopefully if we give them a little bit of time to get used to us and slowly introduce the idea of handling they will be ok.
Good luck handling and getting used to them. Putting an old t-shirt you've worn in the cage is often a good idea so they can get used to your smell.
Just a tip on bedding, rats should never be kept on wood based bedding as the phenols cause them to develop respiratory problems that require vet treatment and can become chronic, so just make sure you have them on something safe like shredded paper or cardboard chips etc.
You will find that if you put the chicken carcass in the cage once you're done with it they will love it and there wont be much of it left tomorrow! Mine used to love corn on the cob, peas and curly kale as well, all very good for them. Giving them some fresh veg each day is a good idea alongside their normal rat food.
Just a tip on bedding, rats should never be kept on wood based bedding as the phenols cause them to develop respiratory problems that require vet treatment and can become chronic, so just make sure you have them on something safe like shredded paper or cardboard chips etc.
You will find that if you put the chicken carcass in the cage once you're done with it they will love it and there wont be much of it left tomorrow! Mine used to love corn on the cob, peas and curly kale as well, all very good for them. Giving them some fresh veg each day is a good idea alongside their normal rat food.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Antifazian
Good luck handling and getting used to them. Putting an old t-shirt you've worn in the cage is often a good idea so they can get used to your smell.
Just a tip on bedding, rats should never be kept on wood based bedding as the phenols cause them to develop respiratory problems that require vet treatment and can become chronic, so just make sure you have them on something safe like shredded paper or cardboard chips etc.
You will find that if you put the chicken carcass in the cage once you're done with it they will love it and there wont be much of it left tomorrow! Mine used to love corn on the cob, peas and curly kale as well, all very good for them. Giving them some fresh veg each day is a good idea alongside their normal rat food.
Just a tip on bedding, rats should never be kept on wood based bedding as the phenols cause them to develop respiratory problems that require vet treatment and can become chronic, so just make sure you have them on something safe like shredded paper or cardboard chips etc.
You will find that if you put the chicken carcass in the cage once you're done with it they will love it and there wont be much of it left tomorrow! Mine used to love corn on the cob, peas and curly kale as well, all very good for them. Giving them some fresh veg each day is a good idea alongside their normal rat food.
Hemp makes a good bedding - can really reduce the smell.
Original post by Antifazian
Good luck handling and getting used to them. Putting an old t-shirt you've worn in the cage is often a good idea so they can get used to your smell.
Just a tip on bedding, rats should never be kept on wood based bedding as the phenols cause them to develop respiratory problems that require vet treatment and can become chronic, so just make sure you have them on something safe like shredded paper or cardboard chips etc.
You will find that if you put the chicken carcass in the cage once you're done with it they will love it and there wont be much of it left tomorrow! Mine used to love corn on the cob, peas and curly kale as well, all very good for them. Giving them some fresh veg each day is a good idea alongside their normal rat food.
Just a tip on bedding, rats should never be kept on wood based bedding as the phenols cause them to develop respiratory problems that require vet treatment and can become chronic, so just make sure you have them on something safe like shredded paper or cardboard chips etc.
You will find that if you put the chicken carcass in the cage once you're done with it they will love it and there wont be much of it left tomorrow! Mine used to love corn on the cob, peas and curly kale as well, all very good for them. Giving them some fresh veg each day is a good idea alongside their normal rat food.
Thanks for the the shirt idea, will try that, my bf did manage to get them out for a little bit today, one is definitely braver than the other. they seem to like climbing over his back. We have the paper bedding that we bought at pets at home cos we read somewhere that saw dust and similar stuff and can irritate their eyes.
Is there any fruit or veg we shouldn't give them? Online had mixed messages. RSPCA said don't give them grapes but another site said it's ok.
Still no names.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by hippieglitter
Thanks for the the shirt idea, will try that, my bf did manage to get them out for a little bit today, one is definitely braver than the other. they seem to like climbing over his back. We have the paper bedding that we bought at pets at home cos we read somewhere that saw dust and similar stuff and can irritate their eyes.
Is there any fruit or veg we shouldn't give them? Online had mixed messages. RSPCA said don't give them grapes but another site said it's ok.
Still no names.
Is there any fruit or veg we shouldn't give them? Online had mixed messages. RSPCA said don't give them grapes but another site said it's ok.
Still no names.
In general best to stear clear of citrus fruits like oranges, passion fruit etc. Veg is better than fruit health-wise, but strawberries, grapes, apples, banana we're all appreciated by mine.
Original post by hippieglitter
Thanks for the the shirt idea, will try that, my bf did manage to get them out for a little bit today, one is definitely braver than the other. they seem to like climbing over his back. We have the paper bedding that we bought at pets at home cos we read somewhere that saw dust and similar stuff and can irritate their eyes.
Is there any fruit or veg we shouldn't give them? Online had mixed messages. RSPCA said don't give them grapes but another site said it's ok.
Still no names.
Is there any fruit or veg we shouldn't give them? Online had mixed messages. RSPCA said don't give them grapes but another site said it's ok.
Still no names.
If you just google 'rat safe food list' then you should get plenty of results (look for ones from rat-specific forums that look more reliable than say yahoo answers
) - as an example of what to expect this is the safe food list I use for my mice - one for rats will be pretty similar, as they have closely comparable diets.I've read that with grapes they can choke on the skin, and some people have said they're carcinogenic, however I have no evidence on this either way.
We now have names. they are called Massey and Fergie (after our running club, Massey Ferguson). Just wanted to ask, are rats normally inclined to play/fighting? I don't think they have injured each other at all but they do seem to squabble a bit in the evenings, think they may be sisters.
Hi! I bought two rats today, and I've named them Gus and Boris.
Mine have been wrestling but they haven't screamed or drawn blood. I YouTubed what it looks like when rats play fight, and it's exactly what they're doing so I'm not too worried.
I guess it depends on the compatibility of their personalities. For me, Gus is very timid so I don't think there will be any power plays going on.
Rats are really sociable creatures and love living in pairs / small groups (cage size dependent of course), so I'm sure you don't have anything to worry about! Time will tell, of course, so just keep an eye on them.
Mine have been wrestling but they haven't screamed or drawn blood. I YouTubed what it looks like when rats play fight, and it's exactly what they're doing so I'm not too worried.
I guess it depends on the compatibility of their personalities. For me, Gus is very timid so I don't think there will be any power plays going on.
Rats are really sociable creatures and love living in pairs / small groups (cage size dependent of course), so I'm sure you don't have anything to worry about! Time will tell, of course, so just keep an eye on them.
Would this cage be okay for a rat? 
as A fist time rat owner (have 4 girls) all bought at the same time from pets at home on New Year’s Day after the sad passing of our bird, I highly recommend them as pets, and much better for small children (I have an 8yr old and a 5yr old) than hamsters ect. The only advice I can offer is buy a multi level cage (check online before paying £105 at pets at home, much better ones available for £60) don’t bother too much with spending a fortune in toys, most go untouched lol x a cardboard tube, (toilet roll orKitchen towel tube is perfect while they little) a wooden house to sleep in and chew on, a hammock, flexible hanging ladders/rope and some wood sticks toChew on, (available from Tesco £2 a pack)!For the most part ours are just happy having the cage door open, with a cardboard box on top to play in/hide in and being able to interact with us and have the freedom to run around on the sofa, and toCome and go from the cage as they pleaseWhen we are home lol x(Beware though ours do like to have a nibble on the cushion covers haha)
I like to make my rats lick peanut butter off my face
I have 2 males that are going on 3 mos. old. I have them 2 weeks. I truly love them and bought everything they need including a 4 level cage. I try every day to try to hold them. When I gently try to pick one up, they bite. It is very disturbing to me. They run into one of their houses so I can’t reach them.What am I doing wrong??? I’m am so upset!
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