Jack Russell and Pet Rat Advice

zaksmum

Why would anyone want a rat as a pet anyway??

Furrtiv

Because they're amazingly intelligent, sociable and friendly, and nowhere near as ugly as people's imaginations make them out to be. Nor are pet fancy rats prone to biting or carrying diseases any mroe than pet mice, gerbils, hamsters, etc. In fact, rats are often recommended over these other rodents as being much more fun to interact with as they will enjoy human company, whereas hamsters, for example, aren't always that friendly. And they don't smell anything like as bad as people make out; theyr'e clean animals, and if you clean their enclosure well and regularly, they won't stink the house out.

zaksmum

Furrtiv wrote: »

Because they're amazingly intelligent, sociable and friendly, and nowhere near as ugly as people's imaginations make them out to be. Nor are pet fancy rats prone to biting or carrying diseases any mroe than pet mice, gerbils, hamsters, etc. In fact, rats are often recommended over these other rodents as being much more fun to interact with as they will enjoy human company, whereas hamsters, for example, aren't always that friendly. And they don't smell anything like as bad as people make out; theyr'e clean animals, and if you clean their enclosure well and regularly, they won't stink the house out.

Even so...! Just couldn't imagine ever having one as a pet!

krlyr

zaksmum wrote: »

Even so...! Just couldn't imagine ever having one as a pet!

Each to their own I couldn't imagine having a baby but plenty of people love it so who am I to criticize!

dottygirl

Thank you all for your replies it has given me lots to think about. x

Wellyboots6

I had a pet rat called Kylie, she was brilliant She used to sit on my shoulder to watch TV. She did develop a liking for red wine though and used to like licking it out of any glasses she found sat on the side.

She would even come when you called her.

I did develop an allergy to her though because I had to keep her in my bedroom for a while, and so eventually had to rehome her

Person_one

zaksmum wrote: »

Why would anyone want a rat as a pet anyway??

I'm surprised at you, you're normally such a sensible helpful poster!

People want to keep rats because they are sociable, friendly, playful, highly interactive animals with a lot of personality. The same reasons you keep whatever pets you keep probably.

Believe it or not, they are completely different from the wild ones that carry disease and live in sewers, just like a poodle is different from a wolf!

meritaten

I had a Springer Spaniel and my son kept a succession of Hamsters in his bedroom. The dog wasnt allowed in there and tbh the cat couldnt have cared less!
We soon found out that the Springer was on a mission to kill all rodents when we tried to introduce them to each other. Our previous dog (a Staffordshire Bull Terrier) just accepted the hammys as part of the household and never attempted to harm them. The cat just used to watch them with an air of superiority. The Springer though couldnt be trusted with rodents. so she was banned from DS2s room and the rodents were supposed to be kept in it! Though the one did have a habit of ending up sleeping on MY pillow next to me! we never did work out how he got past a closed door, the dog sleeping on the landing and the cat sleeping at the foot of my bed!

Mely

zaksmum wrote: »

Even so...! Just couldn't imagine ever having one as a pet!

Exactly! A rat is a rat.

System

i wouldn't do it op , our terrier wouldn't leave our hamster alone for a minute, and when we visit my mums he sits there yelping at the guinea pigs.
hes a loving little man but im under no illusion that should he manage to get something small + furry he would decimate it.