I would LOVE a rat or a mouse, but my mum hates them, so much.. odd that she loves degus as they do have a similar look to rats.. anyway, I was just wondering if I should get a new pet for my birthday in January, I swear I seem to get a new pet every year! I have a hamster cage that's not in use, it's bars are about 0.9cm's apart, would that be Okay for a rat.. probably not for a mouse. are they nocturnal and do they take a lot of care?

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Life's a puzzle of which you must find the answer.
I like puzzles.

Rats like to live with another rat.. So either in groups or pairs... And I personally am not sure of the dimensions of your cage But I dont know many hamster cages a rat when fully grown would have enough room in...

Mice also like to live in groups, and you have to be very carefull about bar spacing as they can squeeze themselves nearly flat..

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I'm currently reading an article and it says that it depends on the rat you get but tbh the hamster cage is too small anyway, I'd probably get a new cage so ye, but thanks for the help.

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Life's a puzzle of which you must find the answer.
I like puzzles.

i'm sorry but if u want a rat u need to get at least 2 of the same sex,rats thrive with company of the same sex.
whatever u have read is bull,take a look on http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/information/ u will find all the info u need to house,feed and care for your ratties.

hamster cages are for hamsters not rats!

rats need a cage of at least 70cm x 45cm x 80cm that will comfortably house 2 rats upto 4 actually.

rats need lots of enrichment in there cage i.e hammocks,ladders,wooden or rope ones,lots of shelves and toys.

if u can't provide any of this then i suggest rats aren't for u.

sorry to be harsh but i have seen so many rats that are on there own in tiny hamster cages it makes me so mad.
a rat on its one is a lonely derpressed rat,not matter how much u get it out does not make up for another ratty that while your asleep are active and could be playing with each other,grooming each other and snuggling up!!

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I'm Amy I have a
German shepherd-blade.
10 male rats.
2 male mice.
1 Syrian hamster.

Hey, don't apologies, you need to be harsh to get the message across! Thanks for the advice and information, after I made this thread I read up and info and I know they have to be in pairs or more. But thanks!

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Life's a puzzle of which you must find the answer.
I like puzzles.

If you get rats might be good to get two already tame adult ones for they are like little puppies...and I'm guessing your mum doesn't mind puppies Awww babies which are so cute looking. Think people don't like mice and rats cos of their wild relatives lol! I don't need to ssay any more about the cage. Apart from you do have to be careful with mice cos they can get out of small spaces...I wouldn't advise more than 5/6 mm bar space...though a big glass tank is better. xx

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MY ZOO-LET
Syrian: Dini
Winter Whites: Alaska, Apollo, Hero and Ares
Bunnies: Saffy, Gus, Cookie and Cream and 5 babies!!
Piggies: Bubble and Squeak

RIP Tilly, Thom, Tiny, Cassius, Stuart Little, George, Baby Pom (Mice), Melvin (Chameleon) Harry (Cambells Russian) Charlie and Roma (Syrians) Eros (Winter White) Jet, Rainbow and Angel (Rabbits) Neva (Ratty girl)

thats ok,just i hate seeing animals that should be kept together on there lone some.

i noticed in your sig that u have a degu coming soon,i am very sure these too have to live in pairs or more.
i know there are a few members on here who have trios of degus in a cage,i'm sure they'll advise soon.

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I'm Amy I have a
German shepherd-blade.
10 male rats.
2 male mice.
1 Syrian hamster.

Mice can be fine in bar spacings up to 12 mm but it depends on the size of the mice! They also need a lot of space as they are very active (although you do occasionally get the odd lazy so and so :P) Why don't you see if you can find some one who would let you go along and handle them, let your mum see them too to see if that helps change her mind (know it worked on mine, she got handed a 4 week old mouse and instead of "no, no you aren't getting one" she changed to "awww! How many are we getting? You are taking this one home, I've named it Tiny"

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Run free my beautiful rainbow babies. I love you.