Rats Rats Rats (Bad rep, but GREAT pets )

Scarberry2003 · 07-06-2006, 03:17 PM

Anyone out there with pet rats? I used to have a few, my fav was Templeton, he would sit on the back of my neck while I was online, occasionally getting down to run across the keyboard. He was a tan/white hooded. Had him for almost 4 years, which I was told is a LONGGGGGGGG life for a rat. Lost him to a stroke and had to have him put down. I know most people would think I am crazy for paying 20 bucks to have a rat put to sleep, but I am the kind who doesn't want to see any animal suffer. I may have only paid 6 bucks for him, but for almost 4 years he was a great companion.

Rats are very smart, clean and sociable animals. They make better pets than hamsters, less likely to bite for one. Templeton never bit anyone, although he did like to remove earrings and hated it when I had my hair up, he wanted it down so he could hide under it. He was also a very good Daddy. I wish I had a picture Charlotte, our momma rat, laying on her back on one side of the cage, taking a nap in the sun, while all the babies (9 of them) were piled on top of Templeton and he was grooming them and taking care of them while Momma had a much needed rest.

If anyone out there is considering a rodent pet for a older child, consider a rat, they are very easy to train, rarely bite, and are not as noctornal as hamsters. (I have been bitten by every hamster I have ever owned and NEVER by any of the rats we have had, even when the momma's had babies)

**Kris10** · 07-07-2006, 08:20 AM

I have two rats, Sophie and Claire. I think rats are a great pet for older children, they are much more interactive than hamsters or gerbils. My Sophie is very smart and has often figured out ways to escape her cage. Rats really are clean, as long as their owners keep the cages clean. We feed ours vegetables and plain cereals, so their food isn't very expensive.

The short lifespan is a downside, often rats only live 2 years. Sophie has developed tumors, which rats are prone to. She doesn't seem bothered by them, so we're letting her be unless we see her quality of life slipping.

shelbyy · 07-07-2007, 10:36 PM

I have three. 20 bucks isnt that much, friends of mine have payed hundreds for surgery for tumors. I have payed my fair share for URIs. But all in all they are the BEST pets!