What's it like to have a rat?

Question

I was thinkin about getting one. I would really love to know!

Answer 1

get one and find out

Answer 2

Living with 17 plus rats I know the rat world pretty well. I feel like rats are most like small dogs who never bark, never have to go outside to do their business, and love to cuddle.

I prefer males, while they do have a smell sort of like sandalwood they do not smell bad if you keep the cage clean. Buy a pair of either s*x and you'll be happier for it.

Check out this site for more information

Answer 3

rats are awesome pets. i have had gerbils hamsters guinea pigs dwarf hamsters and rat. i especially like rats. they are very very smart, and friendly. they wont just jump out of your hand like some rodent. mine rides around my house on my shoulder. rat also can do well with other pets including dogs and cats, that is if your dog or cat wont eat them. rats also dont bite as much as other rodents

rats are very good pets.

Answer 4

Rats make great pets, but make sure you get more than one!  They are very sociable creatures and require a buddy.

Rats have been called the dogs of the rodent world.  They can be trained, they are intelligent, they are affectionate!  Rats will soon learn to go to the bathroom only in there cage, so you can eventually let them free roam in a rat-proofed room and not worry about poo and pee everywhere.  You can even litter train them to go in one part of the cage!  They can learn their names and are genuinely interested in you.  

Mine come out every morning for breakfast and climb all over me and chatter in my ear while I clean out their cage.  Then they swarm my legs while I grab their food down.  I soon learned to put it up high cuz they quickly learned what it meant and were chewing holes in my bag to get at it!

They are very smart and agile.  My one girl was able, through a series of impressive jumps from tables to chairs to desks, to get at some jelly bellies left on my bf's desk.

Rats have been, by far, my favorite pet, second only to maybe a dog.  If you are going to get a rodent-like pet, I'd definitely recommend a couple of rats.

Before you go out and adopt a couple, please, PLEASE do your research!  Rats have lived up to 5 years, and you need to make sure that is a commitment you are willing to make.  Additionally, while the animal itself is relatively inexpensive, cage, food, bedding, toys, vet care, will end up being multiple times the cost of the rat.  My favorite phrase is "If you can afford the vet, you can't afford the pet!"

Here are some great sites to get you started:

http://www.ratguide.com

http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/home/

http://www.quite.co.uk/rats/

If, after learning everything, you are still interested, think about adopting a couple from your local animal shelter.  When they do get rats, they are usually there for many many months before getting adopted.  The cost is around the same as a pet store, but your money will go towards helping other animals instead of to a big corporation.  Plus you'll give some guys (or gals) a new home.

If they don't have any rats, check your local small pet stores.  Those rats are usually from a single rat breeder, not a giant rat mill.  They'll usually be handled since they were babies and will respond better to humans that the feeder rats that big chains usually put up for sale as pets.

Hope that helps!

Answer 5

I have 5 female rats and they are my favorite pets and I have a lot.

Also a quick lecture, its important to get 2 at least because if they aren't able to interact with their own kind the develop mental problems such as : aggression, self harm, lethargy, and are more pron to get sick.

As someone said, they are like dogs. The are loyal and love you unconditionally.It doesn't matter if they are sleeping eating or what, as soon as I walk past them and tell them hi they dash to the cage doors to play with me.

It does get frustrating because they need lots of toys and mental stimulation because they are very smart, but they are also compulsive chewers! So it does get annoying and unless you handy with sewing to sew hammocks and tubes it can cost quite a lot to keep them entertained. Which is something that is important because if they are bored they will fight with each other, become depressed, and things like that. I still say its worth it though.  

Answer 6

Honestly, it's like having a dog. They are very social and love to be around people. They will respond to your voice, and some words, and are very smart. They can be a little stinky. They do usually do best with a friend of the same species. And there are some people who, no matter what, will freak out when they hear you have pet rats. But all in all, they're one of the best pocket pets to have.