Am I a bad rat owner?

Question

I feel like a horrible one. I've owned 6 rats in the past, and this just doesn't seem right.

I own a baby girl (nameless). She's tiny - about the size of my palm. We bought her from the pet store. They breed and raise rats for food. When I asked if they had any, they said "Oh, yeah!" went into the back, and got this tiny travel cage with two babies in it. They asked "Live or frozen?" I freaked out and said "No, no. For a pet!" and they said "Oh." and went and grabbed a 10G tank with about 6 adults and 20+ barely-furred babies. We looked through the babies and picked out this little girl.

Anyway. She's alone. At night, she gets a rice-filled sock that is lightly heated in the microwave. She has a "treasure-chest" with a book cover in it for padding that she curls into sometimes. She has a water bottle and a food bowl - both of which I clean out and refill every day. She eats a mixture of seeds and pellets and is offered fruits and veggies through out the day (of which she shows no interest in as of yet). She is out from the minute I wake up until the minute I go to sleep. She lives in a 10G tank. I'm building a removable second level and putting in a hammock. I clean out her bedding whenever I notice it's dirty.

She acts like I'm her mother. She comes when she's called (I click my tongue because she's nameless), and LOVES to sleep in my arms.

I feel like I'm abusing her, though. However, sometimes I feel like she's lucky that she has me, because she could be in a snake's stomach right now.

So, what do you guys think?

Answer 1

Wow, Rattie paradise! How could you get any better?

Truthfully, the best rats to have (in my opinion) are the ones that remain in a cage by themselves. Especially if she is out with you all the time. She is forced to look to look up to you as her source of attention. You are her companion and I bet she will just be one of those rare rats that groom their owners because she loves ya so much to think of you as a rat! ^-^ Of course, later on, you may want to think about getting her a playmate!

As someone here had mentioned though, I also would recommend a wire cage with a solid bottom (not a hamster cage though). and if you can try to find one with a plastic bottom. For me, they were always the easiest to clean. And as always avoid pine and cedar shavings for litter!

Keep up the good work! You are an awesome caretaker!

Answer 2

Why would you be a bad owner? You're going way out of your way to give such a small pet all of your attention. You're way more caring than most small pet owners.  That rat has a brilliant life, and like you said, she would have been killed and eaten if you hadn't got her.  If she responds to you clicking, she obviously feels extremely attached to you and trusts you, especially if she'll sleep in your arms.

tl;dr no, you are not a bad owner at all.

Answer 3

If all rat owners, in fact all animal owners were more like you with the way you look after her, we would have so many less problems with animals being abandoned.

How old is she? If she's still young, instinct would probably tell her fruits and veggies might upset her stomach.

You should name her though :) Rats are very intelligent and are able to learn their names, all 4 of mine know theirs.

If she starts to show signs of loneliness when she's a little bit older, you could maybe introduce a friend for her?  

Answer 4

you didnt say anything about why you would feel like youre abusing her?

Answer 5

Your rats are luckey.

trust me.

you're great.

Answer 6

You sound like a better pet owner then most parents these days!  You said nothing that sounded like you abuse the rat at all.  Are you afraid she's lonely cause she is alone?  Rats tend to be more productive with a human owner when they are alone.  I had a rat and later got a second one because I felt she was lonely...Once they got used to each other, they cared very little for me...but still enjoyed clawing around my back!

Answer 7

Why would you be abusing her, you sound great! Good work! If you want to, buy her a bigger cage, and you may need to as she gets older. So long as you play with her lots, she shouldn't be lonely.

Good luck with her, she sounds sooo cute!! (Looks it too!)

xx

Answer 8

you are a awesome owner your rat is so lucky thats not absue at all though  i do recommend one thing getting a wired cage because in the glass amonia can build up but any way you are an amazing owner as you said she comes with just by clicking . also were they came from the rats are tortued and not cared for you are that rats guardian angel

Answer 9

As long as you did no harm to her or didn't feed her you're doing good. I don't see that as abusing.

:)

Answer 10

abusing?!it sounds like paradise!she should be happy!do not feel like your mistreating her!IM SURE SHE LOVES BEING THERE AND AS SHE GROWS OLDER YOU CAN GET HER A BIGGER cage.for now it sounds like you really lovwe her...unless theres something youre not tellng us...also you do not need a nther one.you can if u want i guess but i only own one.

Answer 11

Aww, I know

What till she's a bit bigger or guy back and buy one from the same cage. I bought a little P.E.W. that was a feeder but these kids were roughly playing with her so I bought her. I have two rats and they've accepted her. My biggest one ( I think) treats her like her own baby. It's really cute. If you give her lab blocks, soak them in kitten milk (Warm) and it should help her eat it if her teeth aren't too strong.

You don't sound like a bad owner at all. And your rattie is adorable! :]