Rats...Do they make good pets?

RacyRed

Krystaltips, I'm so very sorry to hear your news. RIP little Ratty.

Jvic28, (((hugs))).

It sounds to me as if you made the right choice to ensure that she is happy and pain/stress free for her remaining time. Don't forget that she probably has no idea that she is ill and her life is still as much fun as it was before you found the tumour. Long may that continue. xxx

Treading_Water

Hi - We have two rats, bought in Sep 2006 when they were about 6 weeks old. One developed an open tumour about a year ago, we just kept an eye on it and it eventually healed. The other has developed a large tumour in the last couple of months. In each case as they didn't seem to be in any pain and all the advice stated it was best left - that was what we decided to do.
They are both looking extremely bald and scraggy now, but it will still be a sad day when their time does come.

twinklie

I had 2 little girls. One developed a massive tumor near her leg. We did get it removed as she was struggling to get about. It gave her another year before one came again, this time it was around her brain and we'd booked her in at the vets to get her pts, but she passed away at home the night before.

The second one, bless her, developed a tumor behind one of her eyes which started to push it out of her head. It just came up. Vet gave us antibiotics etc but it was apparent within a couple of days that it wasn't working. She was pts last year. But both had a happy life.

As long as their happy, mobile and eating I think they just keep plodding on. They can cope with a lot can the little critters. I still miss mine, so spoil yours rotten while you have them.

Jvic28

A little update for you all. Louise still has her tumour and although it's got bigger, she's in no pain and can still get about the cage quite well, although she's not climbing from the roof anymore and can't fit in the tube she can still jump up to the shelf and get her food.

Unfortunately, it looks as though her sister, Thelma, now also has a tumour. Hers in on her face. I suspect, because of where it is, she won't last long. She's not in any pain either and hasn't been acting any differently. It's amazing how quick they come up. It wasn't there Sunday, but was there when I fed her Monday morning.

It's so upsetting, I don't think I'll be able to have female rats again. I hope they continue to enjoy their happy lives while they can poor things.

Jvic28

Thelma & Louise were both put to sleep this morning.

They'll be very much missed.

LadyInBlack

Jvic28 wrote: »

Thelma & Louise were both put to sleep this morning.

They'll be very much missed.

Aww...sorry to hear that but know they are in the best place now hun...thoughts are with you x x ((HUGS))

Soubrette

Jvic28 wrote: »

Thelma & Louise were both put to sleep this morning.

They'll be very much missed.

I'm sorry to hear that Jvic, we had three rats and had to put down the eldest a few months ago - they really are lovely little things.

Sou

Jvic28

Thanks for your messages. I'm sat at home, with the cage still sitting there. I keep expecting to look up and them be in there. I know they're better off now but I will miss them.

Thank you everyone for your advise in this thread.

twinklie

I sympathise dearly. I came home from the vets and cleaned out and dismantled their cage straight away. I didn't want to have to face it later. It was theraputic actually and gave me the opportunity for a little weep.

Hope you are ok and that you enjoyed your last treasured weeks with the little criters.

beachbeth

My daughter has gone on holiday with her boyfriend and left her 2 pet rats for me to look after. She picks them up a lot and one of them sits on her shoulder as she walks about her boyfriend's house (this is where she usually keeps them).

As a child I had hamsters and have been bitten too and so I have a fear that these rats will do the same. Im not usually scared of animals but little rodents with sharp teeth aren't very inviting for me! I have a little dog that has bitten me in the past and yet Im not afraid of her at all and will even put my hand near her if she is growling (she has an issue with guarding toys). Yet Im scared of a little rat!

I have no experience of rats so if anyone who has kept them can give me advice Id be grateful. My game plan is to keep talking to them and feeding them treats through the bars so that they get used to me. I put my hand in yesterday and one of them sniffed me (this makes me nervous because it looks like a prelude to a bite to me!). She actually put her teeth on my finger as though to bite and I quickly withdrew my hand. I don't know if she intended to sink her teeth deeper or if she was just seeing if I had any food!