Lyz - 2007-12-13 Initially, I was reluctant when my boyfriend came home with a pet rat five years ago. However, I like to think I'm an open-minded person, and I gave the situation some time. I came to love having rats around, and have been in ownership ever since that fateful day so long ago. Like most owners already know, rats are incredibly affectionate, social, and intelligent beings. In addition to providing the best company, many of my rats were capable of learning a plethora of tricks. As a matter of fact, my very first rat would fetch, dance, bring home kill (most of which we permited him to indulge in on his own), and go for walks without a leash. He even ran away for three days and sought refuge with my neighbor two doors down. When we appeared at our neighbors' doorstep and called for our rat, Splinter, he came scampering toward us in delight. Since then, we've had multiple additions (intended or otherwise) and of course, losses. However, no matter what each one brings us, we're still loyal fans. I'm so glad to see the popularity of rat-ownership is so strong and catching.
MACKENZIE - 2007-09-27 What really is cool about rats is that their personalities are so different. Some like to groom all day, some always fall over, some eat all the time and are chubby, and some are skinny and ignore food. Some like to fight, and so on...
Sally Kerr - 2007-09-20 I've always had rats, and they get on well with my cats - they even feed from the same bowl!
I have 3 males and 3 females living together, 2 of the girls are blind and the 3 males have all had the snip. They get on well and have established a fairly strong heirachy; but saying to get animals of the same sex is fine, if only to save the potential owner
Anonymous - 2007-09-17 I have four rats. Nibbles is a female Himalayan dumbo, Mittens is a black rex dumbo, Crystal is an albino fancy rat and Topaz is a black fancy rat. It is cute to see them all running around together and getting into trouble. They like to lick my face and annoy my bunny. Rats are one of the best rodents because they are very social and like humans, unlike hamsters. Rats also come in lots of different colours and breeds so you can pick which type you want.
kathy - 2007-08-17 I've had several rats over the years and females seem to be slightly friendlier than the males. However the last 3 female rats that I have had have developed mammary tumors which can grow rapidly. It cost $200 to have them removed (if you can find a small animal vet in your area willing to do so) and unforuntately, they almost always come back. 1 was a black rat, 1 was a blue dancing rat and the one I currently have is an albino so it does not appear to be limited to a particular breed. Snowball is 2 1/2 years old and had a very large tumor removed last year and it is now coming back. It is an unfortunate side to selecting a female but rats do most certainly make wonderful pets.
kyla - 2007-08-05 Rats are the number one greatest pet in america! I have had rats since I was 5 y/o! I've never seen a rat bite. My 4 y/o sister loves to play a little rough with my rats and still they never bit her. My rats loves to play with my aunts puppy and my dog. I have 2 females in one cage and 2 males in another. Rats need another rat to socialize with. 2 rats are just as easy to take care of then 1. Rats will often die sooner or get depressed if alone. Rats are the cleanest of all rodents! They are the nicest in my opinion. They love to be held, Some will even lick you. All my rats love sitting on my shoulder while I do homework or play my nintendo DS. Rats are great pets. I recommend rats for everyone. My rats even play with the 2 y/o boy that I babysit. Rats are the perfect pet. The only thing is that rats do need a big cage. I have a ferret cage(3 stories) for my girls and a big like 5 story cage for my boys. Rats need at least 2 stories. The bigger the better. My rats all love their hammocks. Do not use pine bedding because all the dust gives them respiratory problems. My rats use rat blocks for food(from petco). My rats favorite snacks are peas, corn, cheese, crackers, strawberries and sometimes I give them left over meats like chicken because it is good protein for them. Rats are great pets!
ERYN - 2007-08-04 rats are really fun pets to have and they are easy to train. they need alot of love and hugs and a partener to keep them company while your not around.
Pinkrattie - 2007-07-22 Please do not use glass aquariums. Rats need a cage that allows for air circulation - cross ventilation. Rats eaily get respiratory infections if they do not have air circulation - cross ventilation - in their cage.
Abby J. - 2007-07-15 I have two rats the first one Napoleon Dynamite (blue hooded rat) the second one (a hairless dumbo rat) doesnt have a name because i got him a couple of days ago and still hasnt really been sutable for any names. Napoleon is about four months old and the hairless rat is 2 and a half months old. i didnt really know anything about rats when i got Napoleon and the Petsmart lady didnt really tell me much either, in fact she had never even picked up the rats and was very frantic about me deciding. but i love my little boys and will cherish them forever:):):):):)
Active and smart little animals, rats can make great pets especially for children!
Initially, I was reluctant when my boyfriend came home with a pet rat five years ago. However, I like to think I'm an open-minded person, and I gave the situation some time. I came to love having rats around, and have been in ownership ever since that fateful day so long ago.
Like most owners already know, rats are incredibly affectionate, social, and intelligent beings. In addition to providing the best company, many of my rats were capable of learning a plethora of tricks. As a matter of fact, my very first rat would fetch, dance, bring home kill (most of which we permited him to indulge in on his own), and go for walks without a leash. He even ran away for three days and sought refuge with my neighbor two doors down. When we appeared at our neighbors' doorstep and called for our rat, Splinter, he came scampering toward us in delight.
Since then, we've had multiple additions (intended or otherwise) and of course, losses. However, no matter what each one brings us, we're still loyal fans. I'm so glad to see the popularity of rat-ownership is so strong and catching.
I have 7 rats and they are so precious! I love them to pieces, and they make extremely good pets.
What really is cool about rats is that their personalities are so different. Some like to groom all day, some always fall over, some eat all the time and are chubby, and some are skinny and ignore food. Some like to fight, and so on...
I've always had rats, and they get on well with my cats - they even feed from the same bowl!
I have 3 males and 3 females living together, 2 of the girls are blind and the 3 males have all had the snip. They get on well and have established a fairly strong heirachy; but saying to get animals of the same sex is fine, if only to save the potential owner
I have four rats. Nibbles is a female Himalayan dumbo, Mittens is a black rex dumbo, Crystal is an albino fancy rat and Topaz is a black fancy rat. It is cute to see them all running around together and getting into trouble. They like to lick my face and annoy my bunny. Rats are one of the best rodents because they are very social and like humans, unlike hamsters. Rats also come in lots of different colours and breeds so you can pick which type you want.
I've had several rats over the years and females seem to be slightly friendlier than the males. However the last 3 female rats that I have had have developed mammary tumors which can grow rapidly. It cost $200 to have them removed (if you can find a small animal vet in your area willing to do so) and unforuntately, they almost always come back. 1 was a black rat, 1 was a blue dancing rat and the one I currently have is an albino so it does not appear to be limited to a particular breed. Snowball is 2 1/2 years old and had a very large tumor removed last year and it is now coming back. It is an unfortunate side to selecting a female but rats do most certainly make wonderful pets.
Rats are the number one greatest pet in america! I have had rats since I was 5 y/o! I've never seen a rat bite. My 4 y/o sister loves to play a little rough with my rats and still they never bit her. My rats loves to play with my aunts puppy and my dog. I have 2 females in one cage and 2 males in another. Rats need another rat to socialize with. 2 rats are just as easy to take care of then 1. Rats will often die sooner or get depressed if alone. Rats are the cleanest of all rodents! They are the nicest in my opinion. They love to be held, Some will even lick you. All my rats love sitting on my shoulder while I do homework or play my nintendo DS. Rats are great pets. I recommend rats for everyone. My rats even play with the 2 y/o boy that I babysit. Rats are the perfect pet. The only thing is that rats do need a big cage. I have a ferret cage(3 stories) for my girls and a big like 5 story cage for my boys. Rats need at least 2 stories. The bigger the better. My rats all love their hammocks. Do not use pine bedding because all the dust gives them respiratory problems. My rats use rat blocks for food(from petco). My rats favorite snacks are peas, corn, cheese, crackers, strawberries and sometimes I give them left over meats like chicken because it is good protein for them. Rats are great pets!
rats are really fun pets to have and they are easy to train. they need alot of love and hugs and a partener to keep them company while your not around.
Please do not use glass aquariums. Rats need a cage that allows for air circulation - cross ventilation. Rats eaily get respiratory infections if they do not have air circulation - cross ventilation - in their cage.
I have two rats the first one Napoleon Dynamite (blue hooded rat) the second one (a hairless dumbo rat) doesnt have a name because i got him a couple of days ago and still hasnt really been sutable for any names. Napoleon is about four months old and the hairless rat is 2 and a half months old. i didnt really know anything about rats when i got Napoleon and the Petsmart lady didnt really tell me much either, in fact she had never even picked up the rats and was very frantic about me deciding. but i love my little boys and will cherish them forever:):):):):)