Rats...Do they make good pets?

Stephb1986_2

If they are friendly towards your daughter they should be ok I don't actually think rats bite, I know hamsters do from my own experience. My brother kept rats for a long time I used to play with them.

You don't really have to handle them if you don't want to, just feed them and you can easily make them go into a box when you clean them out

Good luck

Steph xx

beachbeth

She said I can let them run about her bedroom when I clean them out!:eek: I would be scared of trying to catch them!

You wouldn't believe that Im a real animal person and am rarely scared of animals but I just can't get it out of my head that these rats are going to bite me!

donnac2558

Hamsters bite as they have very bad eye sight so mistake fingers for food.

Rats have better eye sight. If they are used to being handled then you should have no trouble. You will have to move them when cleaning the cage anyway.

ymakesmile

I have owned rats for the past 6 years, and currently have 5 and have NEVER been bitten by any of them. As long as your confident and pick them up properly you should have no problems and by the sounds of it they are very much used to being handled so dont worry. I have been bitten tons by hamsters, which is why i never understand why people get hamsters for their kids when rats are a fabulous pet to own.

MrsTinks

Hamsters are evil - rats are cute Seriously!
If they are well handled then they are unlikely to bite you unless you hold them too tight or because you are moving suddenly and they feel scared If you don't feel confident handling them then don't being left a few weeks without coming out won't hurt them

floyd

I used to keep rats and was never once bitten. They are actually better pets for kids as ymakesmile says as they are more sociable and much more fun as they are very clever.
Don't be scared of them, the rat was probably just sniffing you and because they have protruding teeth they touched you as he/she was haveing a good smell.

Did your daughter show you how to pick them up when you clean them? These are some quite good tips from the Wiki How site and its sounds like you are doing the right thing gradually building up their trust

1. Encourage your pet to trust you through trust building exercises.
2. Place your hand near the rat and allow it to smell and taste your fingers and palm.
3. Slowly and gently stroke the rat on the top of its head with one finger allowing the rat to become comfortable with the contact.
4. Make a first attempt to pick up the rat by cupping your fingers and gently placing them under the rat's belly.
5. Allow the rat to climb on your body or over your arms as this will encourage a level of comfort.
6. When holding the rat in one hand cover the rat's body with the other hand to stop it from falling or scurrying away.
7. Wait for your rat relax while you're holding it. The rat will gradually become more comfortable over time and the process will become easier.

Rats will do anything for food so you neednt worry about them going AWOL when you clean them. They like climbing into boxes and the like, ours used to sleep in an old-style hoover bag (with the rubber seal removed) as it was just card and paper so it was quite cosy and disposable.

If you put an empty tissue box in they will probably climb in so you can lift it out if you are uneasy handling them. Just make sure you take the plastic edge off as they chew ANYTHING

beachbeth

Thanks, floyd. I was going to do as you said and let the rats sniff my hand. I definitely wasn't going to just make a grab at them! I thought Id just lay my hand in the cage and not move quickly as they have a sniff and a look. I have some dog treats that are fish flavour and they stink. They are in tiny cubes and the rats love them. I gave one to one of the rats and immediately the other rat appeared from under the straw and I could tell she had smelt the treat and was looking for one, so I gave her one too! Im hoping this bribery will help!:D

kindofagilr

Hamsters dont bite if you get them used to you, Wispa bit me like nearly everyday lol till someone told me to make sure I washed my hands first lol, he hasnt bit me once since then.

Krystaltips

I found my rats would sometimes grab my finger with hands or teeth to check it was edible but never bit down and always let go once they discovered it was none edible... I've been keeping rats on and off for 14 years and got bitten once by my very old first rat when he was standing on my shoulder sniffing my face and my eyelashes tickled him... I put it down to his poor eyesight and didn't hold it against him

I also agree that if either of my girls wanted a pet I'd choose a rat over a hamster any day!

ladylumps45

i used to have a pet rat that was lovely and friendly.a few years ago i looked after a friends one for a week and i went to clean it out and put my hand in to pick it up and it went all snakey on me lol moving its head from side to side!
i thought nothing of this and carried on .next thing i knew i was bleeding alot on the dripping on the floor.it had bitten a nice chunk out of my finger.
it was that bad that i had to go to casualty and have stitches and a tetanus jab.i never touched it again:rolleyes:.when it needed cleaning i ushered it along with a twig into a shoe box while i cleaned the cage!
it was fine with the owner but not with me so be careful!i still think they are lovely tho.