Rats...Do they make good pets?

mardatha

well presumably if she puts him in with the adult female they will breed - and it somehow doesnt feel right to put him in with the babies either. But they arent mine and I dont know

trudij

Used to have rats - couldnt recommend them enough as pets - they are perfect !!!

blue-bells_2

My friend used to own a big white one called 'Shelia' :rotfl:To be honest I didn't like it!

elfen

Me and me mum had 4 - all boys, 2 in each cage

Raggs_2

My OH and I were thinking about getting a rat or two (probably 2 if we do), but are a little concerned as to how they get along with other animals.

We have a cat and a dog, I'm sure the dog will be fine after a very short time, the cat is only tiny, and probably wouldn't want to mess with a big rat, but she's also rather exceptional so I could imagine that a good relationship would develop. Obviously they won't be left unattended together, however the rats would have to be in a cage, and wherever they are the cat will be able to get there.

How well do you guys reckon the rats would respond to the other two animals?

mustangsal

I have had quite a few pet rats, they're fab! Far better for kids than hamsters i think, they're a lot less likely to bite, and very intelligent. I have an old lurcher, she is brilliant with rats, loves them to bits. I think she sees them as babies. At the moment, we don't have space for a decent sized rat cage so wouldn't get any until i have the space. Also the cat i have is a born killer, He's half Scottish Wildcat so i don't think a rat would stand a chance against him to be honest. But with Normal moggies i have they'd be fine, generally the rat will have a swipe at the cat a few times and it puts them off. :rotfl:

Mankysteve

Raggs wrote: »

however the rats would have to be in a cage, and wherever they are the cat will be able to get there.

How well do you guys reckon the rats would respond to the other two animals?

My cat where ok with them and one is a right killer of wildlife. But I wouldn't trust her for even a moment with them outside the cage. I had padlocks on the cage doors and securing the metal cage and the base. They never got nipped or scratched, no aggressive behaviour toward them.

Person_one

Raggs wrote: »

My OH and I were thinking about getting a rat or two (probably 2 if we do), but are a little concerned as to how they get along with other animals.

We have a cat and a dog, I'm sure the dog will be fine after a very short time, the cat is only tiny, and probably wouldn't want to mess with a big rat, but she's also rather exceptional so I could imagine that a good relationship would develop. Obviously they won't be left unattended together, however the rats would have to be in a cage, and wherever they are the cat will be able to get there.

How well do you guys reckon the rats would respond to the other two animals?

You will have to get more than one, rats are sociable animals and are very unhappy if kept alone. Two is fine but the more the merrier with rats! (as long as you don't mix the boys and girls together!)

The cat and dog might scare the rats at first, as they'll see them as a predator. They might get a few nips at first if they put their noses to close to the cage but that will help them learn to leave them alone!

Rats also need regular 'free range' time outside the cage in a rat-proofed area where they can explore and play safely. You'll have to keep the other pets somewhere else while you do this.

In case you can't tell by now, I love rats! I have four at the moment and they're great pets. So much more intelligent and interactive than hamsters or gerbils, and they really do form a bond with their humans.

Mupette

I used to have rats as pets, there are lovely.

When the last 2 were pts because of arthritis i decided enough was enough. Both had it but one worse that the other, and his mate was just going ballistic when the vet took the poorlyer one, so choose to have both pts at the same time as i would be back in a matter of days.

I would always recommend a nice large cage.

One of my first rats was called fatso, and although he had a cage, i allowed him to roam around the room (bedsit), although at meal times there was always a fight at what food he could pinch off my plate. And he loved to sit on a chair and watch eastenders!!

Mankysteve

My rats were more interested in the cats then they were of them used to go a sniff nose to though the cage bars. I think if the rats haven't seen them before they don't know to scared of them. You must have at least two rats I would say three is the best. As it means you can give one attention while the over two have each other to play with.