Ready for rats?

Question

I've almost convinced my grandmother to let me get rats and its only a matter of time before im bringing them home.

But I still want a second opinion.

Do you think i'm ready for them? I've been doing research for over a year now! And i know quite a bit.

BUT i have two budgies, one cockatiel and a cat. I clean out the bird's cages every week including scrubbing the cages clean. And the cat litter is done regularly by me. Because they are all my pets I take full responsibility for them. But i need to go to school too!

So i have my room safe and birdproof. When i go to school i leave the birds on the cockatiel's cage with food, water and toys. And sometimes i leave some music on.

My cat always has attention, and when i come home, the birds either sit on me or on their cage and the cat sleeps on my bed. At night he sleeps in my room with me and the bird's cages are covered.

So as you can see EVERYONE gets attention and taken care of. But do you think its too much to get two rats?

Answer 1

Go for males (and no, they are not "more aggressive"), because females require more time out of their cage and they are really, really active. Males are active as well but don't need as much time out of their cage / they are less active than females. Plus they are more snuggly and more people-orientated.

I think it depends on your schedule if you're ready for two rats. Personally, birds and a cat aren't that many animals and I think two rats wouldn't be hard to fit in as well.

Answer 2

Wow! you are are your way to a small animal zoo.  As long as you take good care of everyone It sounds like you are ready.  

Rats are great pets.  I found ours to be curious and willing companions and they never bit my sons (even when they were too rough).  They also do not tend to p**p all over like other rodents do.  

My last rat, Oreo, was a great girl, she started in my shirt pocket as a baby.  When she was big enough she rode on my shoulder like a parrot.  I used her at the grade school as an education animal, she did not mind the petting from so many children.  She went to two Halloween parties with our Cub Scout pack and was quite a hit with the kids.

Answer 3

I have 2 cats, and 4 rats.

When you get rats in pairs, you don't have to provide constant attention to them, like you'd have to with a lone rat.

Can you dedicate 1-2 hrs minimum to handling & letting the rats outside of their cage? I let mine run around the bathroom with the door closed, while I talk to them, pet them, and perhaps read a book to past the time while they explore and have some fun.

Have you done research on appropriate cages, and can you afford them? What if the rats get sick, would your grandmother allow them to see a vet?

There's more going into owning rats than just having time to spend with them. You have to make sure you can provide the BEST pet care possible. :)

Only you will know if you're ready for the addition of rats.

Answer 4

yess aslong as you are able to pay around an hr aday of atenton and cleen them evry week i sojest 2 girls as boys can be more agressiv i have a dumbo rat but she lives with a russan hamster hawever theas are specal surcmstances so dont just go geting a rat  and a hamster and puting them together becose one is bound to be killed x good luck think wisly

Answer 5

That's the great thing about rats in pairs, they tend to entertain themselves when you are away. You will of course still need to give your ratties plenty of attention because rats love to play especially with you! ^_^ I think you can handle the extra "work load" but maybe you should consider adopting ratties that way you are saving shelter animals and chances are they will already be socialized!