Where should I keep my (maybe) pet rats?

Question

I might be getting 2 male pet rats soon, and I'm wondering where I should put them. I was thinking in my room, but would they wake me up, because they are nocturnal? They wouldn't really be family pets, just mainly mine. This is the cage I would be getting:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753352

Also, our utility room (w/ the water heater, holiday decorations, 2nd freezer/fridges, etc.) is right next to my room. Would that be a good spot? Thanks!

Answer 1

That's the cage we have for our pair of rats, and yes it is perfectly suitable for housing two rats. Preferably the rats would be housed somewhere busy in the house, such as a family room. This way they will be around people constantly and be able to get used to humans being around them. Make sure its not a loud room with young children running around in it or a television, because that can be too overwhelming sometimes.

Answer 2

LISTEN HERE, I HAVE OVER 20 YRS EXPERIENCES WITH RATS AS I AM A VETERANARIAN.

KEEP IT IN THE LIVING ROOM, WHERE ITS NICE AND WARM.   RAT WILL DIE WHEN COLD.  BE AWARE, MALE RATS ARE KNOWN TO BE TERRITORIAL AS THEY GET TO KNOW THAT THE OTHER 1 IS A MALE AND NOT A **FEMALE.   WHEN THEY FIGHT, AND THEY WILL, I SUGGEST U SEPERATE TO ONE CAGE EACH.  DONT FORGET TO BUY EACH RAT A MIRROR TO PUT IN THE CAGE SO THEY CAN LOOK AT ITSELF AND WONT GET LONELY.  LAST THING U WANNA SEE IS SEE 1 OF UR RAT DIE ON YA FROM TERRITORIAL FIGHTING OVER NIGHT WHEN UR ASLEEP AND WILL ALSO WAKE U UP!!

KEEP IN LIVING ROOM!!

Answer 3

I know this from experience, when you have a rat, gerbil, hamster, guinea pig or other rodents, keep them in a cool spot. but DO NOT have a fan directly on them because they could suffocate!!!!! Yes they can suffocate!!!!! AS far as I know they are nocturnal. Before you go to bed, but them in another bedroom or bathroom. Yes your utility room would be fine just don't let it get to hot!

Answer 4

i keep mine in my room, but make sure there are no drafts hitting them. i keep mine in the far corner. i have an air purifier next to them to make sure there isnt too much ammonia and bacteria entering their cage. just make sure its clean and there is a good amount of ventilation with no drafts.

Answer 5

far frpm loud noises and other animals drafts too cold weather and too warm places i keep my hamster on top of my dresser

Answer 6

Just make sure that there are no drafts and that there is no direct sunlight on your future rats. Or think of it like this, would you sleep in this room or not. If its too cold or too hot. These conditions could be harsh for you rats.

Good Luck!!!! :)

Answer 7

I keep my cage in the lounge where my family and I spend most of our time, so I'd say this is my preferred spot to locate any rats. Your room would be fine, and unless you are an *extremely* light sleeper with the noisiest wheel on the market, two rats trying to show dominance every moment, and a 100% metal waterbottle, they wouldn't be waking you up. Take that comment however, with a pinch of salt as I have no experience in that specific area, but do know many people who keep (several) rats in their room and don't have a single problem. I'm not too sure on the utility room, as I assume people wouldn't be frequenting that area alot, and it might get a bit too warm with the water heater. Just try your room first, and if they're keeping you up at night move them to the lounge or maybe a spare room, or ultimately buy some ear plugs :)

DO NOT follow the advice of cap man, any adult who claims they are in a medical profession, yet can't spell veterinary should be ignored. If you keep rats, any gender by themselves, unless they have social disorders (wrong terms, sorry), they will most likely be bored, fustrated, more destructive, have shorter lifespans and behaviour problems.