I pretty much know all of the advantages in having a pet rat, but what would u say are the ?

Question

DISADVANTAGES IN HAVING A PET RAT?

Answer 1

I have had six all together, but three currently they are lovely little critters, very cute, very naughty. Downsides

-cleaning the cage can be a pain especcially if it's particularly big but it's not too bad

-They toilet train themselves but it takes a while as they will learn to hold it once they are about 6 months old. They will sometimes go if you leave them out longer than they can wait, but that's ok. and they also go to the toilet if they are nervous or scared at the beginning when you are getting to know them. Some don't ever learn however, so it's good to keep a couple of tissues handy to pick anything up but it's not very messy and can be cleaned up easily.

-Their claws are sharp and can scratch and irritate the skin but you can gently file them down (with a nail file) but this can be difficult with a wriggling rat, so if you get irritation wear long sleaved and high necked clothing.

-people's views on rats is often negative. If you say you have a rat to someone who doesnt like them they will go "ewww, why do you own rats, they're horrible, they stink, don't they bite" etc etc etc you just have to say to them that they are different from wild rats and are domesticated and have no diseases and don't bite.

-they don't live long, get tumours etc.

Remember these are minor negatives, rats are very cute, sociable creatures. They love and HAVE to be in groups of at least two.  

Answer 2

The only disadvantage I found with my rats is....they usually only lived for 1-2 years. :(

Ps: If you clean the cage every 1-3 days they shouldn't stink.

Answer 3

The smell, especially with the males.

The time it takes for them to learn not to poo and pee on you.

The cost of the right cage.

But apart from that, they're lovely animals- just bare all that in mind.

Answer 4

disadvantage is that girls and especially old people like grandmas usually dont like and are afraid of them

Answer 5

My rats are downright mean!  I tried for so long to bond with them, but they're just plain evil.  If I get anywhere near their cage, they'll try to eat me alive.  Feeding and watering them, not to mention cleaning the cage, is a b*tch.  

They're also kind of noisy.

But it might just be my rats that don't like me.  If you can find a nice rat, I'd go for it.  My little sister's rat is an absolute sweetheart.  

Answer 6

I love my rats to death! Id say the disadvantages are that they get sick and die pretty easily (at least pet shop rats do). Also they dont live long and people tend to be grossed out by them. If you talk about hamsters people think you like animals and have a cute pet, but if you talk about your rats people tend to think your a little weird. But thats only the people who dont understand how awesome rats really are. Thats about all i can think of. The advantages outway the disadvantages in my mind.

Answer 7

we had pet rats, and we didnt find any disadvantages :) just keep its cage clean, and handle it heaps and show it attention. If you have other animals, you may want to keep them away from the rats cage, our cats were forever getting their tails bitten lol..the rats would reach out till they got a handful of fur..and crunch..it didnt stop the cats from sitting on top of the rats cage though lol

Answer 8

I loved mine! But the disadvantages are that they have big ugly tails and tend to die of cancer.

Answer 9

we are pretty new to the rat thing also. my son has two males and one is amazing. he is very sweet and loves my son. the attached from the beginning. one up side and down side together is they are very intelligent.

our second rat houdini gets out of the cage and now is hiding in my kitchen we cant catch him. he can hide anywhere. make sure you have a good cage that is designed for rats.

Answer 10

the only disadvantage is that the cute little animals dont live long enough its sad when the go espesially when suffering with respiritory infections. But there the best little animals to have as pets xxxxxxxxxxx