What is the best kind of rat to get?

Question

I want to get pet rats, but I don't know what kind: hooded, dumbo, fancy, rex...

Also, I was wondering if I spend about an hour of hands on time with my rat and let them have like an hour or two of like free roam time, is that enough?

Answer 1

It doesn't make much difference whether they're hooded, self, berkshire, or any colour, or whether they are top-eared or dumbo, (rex are only different because they have wavy hair and curly whiskers) pet rats are all the same, just different varieties, and they all have their own different personalities regardless.  The only thing that matters is which you prefer.  

Your rats would adore to spend at least an hour a day personal time with you, and an hour or two of free roam time would be excellent for them, although I'm sure they would much prefer all their free roam time playing with you as well, plus you would have to be there with them for their free roam time anyway coz ratties can get into all sorts of mischief if left alone free roaming (the other day it took my lot less than 5 mins to chew a whole load of plaster out of my hallway wall !!!! *rolls eyes* lol)

Hope I helped, and I hope you have great fun with your rats :-D

Answer 2

The breed / color is up to you - they are all the same species. How much time you want to spend with your rat and whether you want to allow it to free-roam is also up to you. I don't let mine free-roam as we have cats; plus, I couldn't possibly "rat-proof" the whole house.

Answer 3

this depends on if you want small or big rat, and what color you want your rat to be, and how much time you can spend with your rat, because some need more attention than others. do some research about these rats and see which you want.  spend time with your rat, but don't smother him/her.  and spread out the free roam time, so that if he gets tired he can rest, and then play again later. your rat needs exercise, so make sure there is an open area of space that your rat can run around, without you having to pick him up a bunch to stop him running off an edge. if you get your rat a wheel, make sure it is big enough and doesn't have holes, because your rat's tail could get caught in the holes and then cut off.  and if you get a ball for him, make sure it is big enough to avoid back problems. so, all in all, just make sure your rat is well cared for and get a type that fits you.

Answer 4

Color and type is a personal preference, much like the color of a cat or a dog. (The one thing I can say is that many breeders tend to believe that rex's have a milder temperament, I don't believe that's necessarily true, and also boy rats tend to be calmer than girls.)  but you should always have at least two rats. They are social creatures and need company or they can become depressed.

IF AT ALL POSSIBLE DO NOT GET IT FROM A PET STORE! Pet stores usually keep their rats under horrible conditions because they are typically just thought of as "feeders" so rats from these stores have a tendency to have bad breeding/genetics, and potentially deadly respiratory infections. Try to search for rat breeders in your area and if there aren't any find an owner that's having a litter. If you can't find either one then as much as I hate petsmart/petco (long story) they're your best bet, because they at least have a vet certify them.

Answer 5

you should look up types of rats, and I hope your planning on getting more then once, atleast two would be good. make sure you get a big, big cage. as rats feeling crouded will actually shorten they're life spand. it'll literally make them go insane in the head if there's not enough room. if the cage is huge, I mean huge, which would be like 200-300$ on a cage that's huge, then the time you have to play with them is enough.

but if the cage isn't exstreamly big, then let them out atleast for 3 hours a day.