4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Ana's flock]

My soon to be 7 year old wants a couple of pet rats for his birthday (end July).

 

I'm OK with it as I think they're lovely but I have never had pet rats and would like some idea of what they're like personality-wise...

 

I've heard they're awake during the day/sleep at night (as opposite to hamsters who sleep during the day and make a racket at night on their little wheels).

 

Other than that... Are they 'friendly'? Do they like being cuddled? Is it better to get males or females? (I know not to get one of each!)

 

Any information, comments, etc would be very welcome.

 

Thanks

 

Ana (the vocational zoo keeper)

[Rhapsody]

Ana rats are a total delight as pets- I would recommend 2 males as they are less feisty than the females

If you keep the cage clean they dont smell, they will learn tricks for treats and love to be around where the action is in the home. The only downside to rats is IMHO they only live for 3 years, and are so enchanting it really hurts when they go so soon (which is why we dont keep them anymore).

I still miss my ratty girl Tyrranosaurus Rat from my student days she used to jump on my shoulder on command and come down the pub for beer and peanuts, and once beat the bejesus out of my flatmate's cat

You'll love them, honestly.

[Ana's flock]

It sounds great!

 

I'm definitely getting the ratties. They sound great, plus I love those little faces... the thing is I can't resist live creatures (be it chickens, cats, rats or even plants - and yes, I do talk to all of them too.)

 

Now I think my son would like a birthday present for himself...

 

OK, we'll share them. Promise. I will let the boys feed them sometimes. And touch them... when they're on my lap... sometimes. ...if they behave... exciting!

[Louise]

Oh yea ana the best small pets for children are either rats or ferrets I would also aggree that males rather than females as they are so friendly

 

Handle them lots from youngsters and they will be the best pets ever

 

They are extremely bright and need to be stimulated with lots of play and games

 

I wish I could keep rats still

[Sunshine]

I remember my friend having rats when we were 10/11 ish and i loved them.They used to just sit on my shoulders hiding behind my hair.She had them in her bedroom and i never remember them smelling either.Unfortunately my mum doesn't like rats so theres no chance of us getting one.

 

Please post pictures if you do get some.

[hils78]

My OH brought 3 rats last w/e. He already has a MASSIVE cage (like a giant parrot cage). I think as long as you're sensible then he'll be fine. Make sure your sons hands are washed with soap before touching them because sticky little fingers are very tasty to a rat Also make a habit of putting your hand into the cage and just stroking the rat not picking it up every time. This way they won't get hand shy.

Hope this helps

[hanson]

Rats are the best!

 

I had about 15 (yes, 15!!) rats as a teenager. They are lovely pets, become very tame very quickly. They will sit on your shoulder, with their tail around your neck, they will get into all your clothes but they are lovely! They have such big personalities, they will greet you when you come to their cage and are so clever. As a teenager I had lots of cages in my bedroom but was never really disturbed by their nocturnal activities.

 

As long as the cage is cleaned regularly there was no smell - just watch letting them loose in a room as they tend to urinate everywhere (very small patches though) and they had a tendency to chew lots of things (wallpaper, bedlinnen etc)

 

Having had both males & females, I would prefer females - they are generally on the smaller size and they do not fight with each other as the boys always seemed to.

 

Hope this helps - you do get some fantastic rat cages now - my largest cage was a fish tank!

[Emma Tarpey]

We had a pet rat called twitch he lived for 3 years and made a great pet. Really easy to look after and cleaner than most people make out the only problem is if you go away on holiday no one will look after them

[Karen & co.]

I had rats when I was a teenager and they were great The children have had quite a few too, they are ideal for youngsters, ours used to love having them out to play with as they are big enough to hold easily yet not as tiny or wriggly and fast as hamsters

 

 

You'll get so attatched to them

 

Karen x

[Looney]

My brother had pet rats and loved them. Is it true - and I'm sure you'll all correct me if I'm wrong - that they don't control their bladder so will wee anywhere and everywhere?

[kitbag]

I had rats about a year ago! They are friendly, as long as you keep picking them up and cuddling them. I love rats!!

 

Kitbag

xxxxxxx