I want to walk my pet rats if I get some!

Question

My friend is getting 2 ferrets soon and she is going to walk them like dogs. I really want 2 or 3 pet rats, and if i did get them, i would like to walk them. Is it a good idea? Do they enjoy it?

Would you have to buy a small ferret harness and leash, or do they sell rat harness's?

Could I walk the rat and ferret together, or would the ferret try to eat the rat?

Answer 1

It's not a good idea at all.

Walking a rat outside means they can get diseases from wild rats, escape and be lost forever, get injured- gravel isn't exactly nice on rats' paws- and rats get stressed easily enough in the home environment, let alone being dragged around outside. Also, they won't walk like a dog, so they won't lead- you will be /dragging/ them. On top of that, rats have very fragile respiratory systems and things like pollen, outside dust, car fumes etc. can really mess it up and make them sick.

Just because your friend is doing it, doesn't mean you should.

***

No, they wouldn't.

It's unsafe to take animals that small outside.

They won't suffer from not going outside- keep them in to play with!

By taking them outside, you may make them sick, hurt, or even run away.

Answer 2

it would be a good idea IF THEY WERE THE SIZE OF FERRETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Answer 3

although this would look extremely cute, it is hard to find a harness that is small enough for the rat and they dont like being in a harness and will try to escape and they could escape and you would never see them again. give them plenty of time to run around in your house and maybe they could ride on your shoulder when you take them outside?

Answer 4

Iguana harnesses that consist of just a nylon cord and the plastic guidepiece are the best. rats slip out of vest-type harnesses, but not the nylon ones so much.

Ferrets can kill rats in a matter of seconds. By the time you know what is happening, the rat will be dead. Do not ever let them in the same room together, not even if the rat is behind bars. A rat is never safe around a ferret.

Answer 5

better not put em together while walking

they  have rabbit leashes

OK listen to Law L

Answer 6

i don't think it is a goood idea,and think that they will enjoy it but it is quite dirty.they do sell rat harnesses but if you really want to walk your rat and ferret,please walk them separately.good luck:-)

Answer 7

Yes, you can buy harnesses that will fit any animal even a mice. Ferret harnesses will most probably be to big for rats.

I recently bought a harness for my rat. It is actually quite hard to get it on her as she won`t sit still and let us put it on her, so you have to try and put it on quickly. I think that once you get it on and you go and walk them, they will start to appreciate it and realise that when you are going to put the harness on them, that it is good. So yes, I think they would like it, as they will smell and discover new things, especially if they have never been outside before.

It would not be a good idea to walk a rat and a ferret together, because as you said it is very likely that the ferret may try to eat/kill the rat or may injure it. Ferrets are carnivores and one of the foods they would eat in the wild is in fact rat, so yes please DO NOT walk them together.

I think it is a great idea. It will be hard at first trying to get the harness on, but keep trying and eventually you will be able to take it for walks.

Before you buy your harness, ask one of the staff at the pet shop to show you a demonstration of how to put it on your rat and make sure you ask if it is suitable and will fit a rats` body. You may even like to take pictures or even video the person showing you how to put it on.

I would start of walking them in the garden before you take them anywhere else like a park, so they cant adjust to it. Please make sure the harness is securely on your rat otherwise it will be able to escape.

If you do want to take them to a park or walk them down the road, be very careful of other dogs/cats or animals, any sharp objecs and dangerous insects. Also make sure your rat does not eqat any insects, as wild insects can carry diseases.

Good luck takinng your rats for walks! I hope this helps.

EDIT - I think that the person before me, does have a point, maybe it is not so good, but then again, some rats live in the wild.