My dad doesn't like rats but I love them! How do I convince him to let me get a couple?

Question

Rats are clean, sociable, friendly animals which love being handled and cuddled.. so why does my dad insist that they're dirty, nasty, selfish animals which bite and scratch and spread disease?

I understand that wild rats carried fleas which were responsible for the plague but that was 100s of years ago and pet rats are totally different! The relationship between domestic rats and their wild cousins is like the relationship between Cocker Spaniels and Coyotes!

I've offered to pay for everything.. the actual rats, the cage, food, accessories, toys, treats, disinfectants.. I've added it all up and the total comes to just over £100. That's fine! I have like £350 that's just been sitting around in my piggy bank for about a year..

I'm aware of the responsibility concerned in owning a pair of rats and I'm totally ready for it, I've owned many hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, cats etc. I think dad just doesn't like the way they look. He doesn't like them just because he thinks they're ugly and they're exactly the same as wild rats.

What do I do?

Please help out :)

x

Answer 1

I absolutely adore rats. Has your dad got a phobia? If he has then it would be really unfair of you to have them - wait until you have your own place. If he hasn´t, tell him from me that they make fantastic pets - rodents with a personality and intelligence - better than hamsters, rabbits etc. They don´t carry disease as they have no contact with any if they live in your house. Get one from a proper breeder as shop-bought ones are sometimes laboratory rejects - I bought mice from a shop and they all grew tumours.

Answer 2

do the same as i did with my wife take him to a pet shop and hold one then offer him to hold one as it snuggles up to his neck and cleans him im shore he will cange his mind rats dont smell there clean very playfull dont bite like other rodents and they learn tricks there name and there much better to own  

Answer 3

maybe you could find a rescue that has rats and take your dad there, and let someone who works there get one of the rats out if they have any for you to hold then your dad will see that they dont bite. but if you do that, try to find one where the person knows that the rat is friendly and isnt nervous around people.

i have 2 male rats, and they are not ugly. they are so cute. i just think they look adorable when they clean themselves. when i first asked my mam if i could get a couple of rats, she kept saying no, even though i was going to pay for everything and they would be staying in  my room. well she gave in after a few hours, and she actually likes them alot and finds them quite sweet. the scratching part can be partly true. but they only scratch your arms if their nails are too long and they are walk across you, and they use their nails to grip things

Answer 4

If he really doesnt like them I dont think you will get them!! They cost a lot more money than just what you strat off with - bedding, food then there is the vets bills which will add up to a h**l of a lot and your £350 might well disappear very quickly! Besides if you have had so many pets then you should count yourself lucky as so many people are not allowed anything.

Answer 5

personaly, rats arn't my favourite animal but I managed to persuade my mum and dad to get me a couple of dwarf hamsters. Try and show your dad that you are responsible enough to have them in your bedroom and keep it clean to. Also tell him that he never has to see them if they are in your bedroom!

Answer 6

My dad was the same way he didnt want them just tell your dad to give them a chance because after a whlile my dad thought they are pretty cool. But if he doesn't like them still just put them in a room he doesn't go in often and makes sure to clean there cage at least once a week. I hope I helped!

Answer 7

i have the same problem!

if you tell him that and he says know there is not much you can do!

but if you still are trying just casually bring it up every once in a while when he is happy! what does your mom say?

good luck! ☺♥♥☺

Answer 8

just say that you could have them in your bedroom and he will never have to see them

Answer 9

Show him pictures and dish out the facts like you just did here. He will resist for awhile, but then he will eventually warm up to the idea.  My mom felt the same way and I got her out of it by showing her pictures and constantly convincing her.

And to all the people who answered and said they were disgusting and that you need mental help, the rats are probably smarter than those who said that >_<

Answer 10

WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYyy

get a lovly cat or a dog, and rescue it from a home, why get rats are u on drugs?

come to my house and ill give u rats

Answer 11

Use the £350 to get private medical attention.

Answer 12

just show that you are responsible enough! Make a long report about the good things about rats and what it eats and things like that

Answer 13

It's always hard to convince people who are stuck in the "RATS ARE GROSS!" mindset that they are actually sweethearts. I know my family acted like I was crazy when I got my boys. Show him pictures of PET rats (lots of which look different from wild rats, color variations and dumbo ears and such), and let him see that they don't look much different from hamsters or gerbils. Dumbos are great to show people, because even the anti-rat folks have to acknowledge the cuteness!

Here's an interesting post in a forum with lots of rat facts;

http://ratforum.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2...

That forum, also, is a great place to learn about rats and get advice.

Although, do you have a steady stream of income? They do need food and bedding, which are constant costs, and eventually will need to go to the vet. You also cannot get just one rat, you need two, which will mean double vet bills and more food consumed.  If your dad won't pay that, you'll need cash saved for that, as well.

Some people just don't WANT to realize it. My sister still hates my rats, even though she knows they NEVER bite, sit on my shoulder and are much better pets than any other small animal. :P If I were you, I'd just constantly spout off facts about rats until it drove my dad up the wall. ;P Don't actually ASK him for them repeatedly, as that might make him dig in his heels. Just say things like "Did you know that rats don't have canine teeth?"  or "Did you know rats can learn their names?" That will get to him. :P!

Answer 14

Why would you want a rat? Get a dog or something

Answer 15

Tell him that you need it for a school project!!(if your in school already) My friend did(he actually needed a rat for his project) and got one for $1!!! Tell your dad that they are HARMLESS and they are just like Humans-Humans set a trap to catch mine, Police set a trap to catch criminals..

If that doesn't work, email me at [e-mail]

Answer 16

If you live in Great Britain, take him to the RSPCA and ask to handle  a rat. If they say no just explain the situation to them