If you were keen on keeping rats you would need to buy them in pairs or more in single sex groups, as they are sociable animals. I'd try contacting rescues or trying to find a reputable local breeder in your area if you are keen on buying rats.

As for prices;
Missy was £7 (rip)
Boys were £20 for 4 of them, (I rehomed them from previous owners that wouldn't let me take them for free, even tho they were the ones advertising)
Cage (Terenziani Michealangelo) - £55
Giant Rolly Wheel for Rats by Savic - £15
Litter (Biocatolet) - £27 per year
Shredded newspaper/kitchen roll - £12 per year
Savic Sputnik XL - £6
2 Savic Igloos - £6
600ml water bottle - £2
Corner litter tray - £5
Pet carrier - £5
Cat scratcher - £6
Food - £60 per year on shunamite mix (works out £5 per month, £1.25 each)
Treats - £12 per year
Vegetables - £24 per year
Other accessories/toys - £50
I make toys for them from items laying around the house mainly and from old towels/clothes so I won't add them to the price..
Vet bills - £60 this year

I've spent around £500 keeping rats for 2 years including the above. I can't think of anything better to spend £500 on

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Amy x
Owned by my 6 bucks; Reeves, Mortimer, Solidus, Ocelot, R.C, Akiba x
Rainbow bridge; Missy Moo. miss you my little mardy bum xx
Credit for avatar: *twapa

It does all add up when a lot of people consider rodents as cheap pets to own.

I suppose if you just bought the essentials it wouldn't be too bad, the cage is obviously your biggest spend so maybe look on ebay or car boot sales?

I have just bought Bailey another new cage lol, it really is an addiction!

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Haha, unfortunatly if i get one i cant keep buying cages because i dont really get enough money.
But im trying to convince my mum still! to get me a hammy

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Toby, Mia, Harvey and our newest member, Marley(cats)
Gizmo (parrot)
Tommy (bearded dragon)

Is missing my baby boy Noah, been missing since April 2011. (cat)

Run Free;
Tommy, Molly, Tinkerbell and Bambi (cats)
Meg, Fudge, Chocolate & Looper (hamsters)
Snowie, Maisy, Snowflake (rabbits)

you should look out for savic cambridges on ebay, they are a great cage and its plenty big enough

otherwise if you got a smaller one the hamster might outgrow it in a few months and youd have to buy a new one which is the mistake i made!! you could probably get a savic cambridge for about £20 second hand off ebay

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I prefer not to think about how much my rats have cost me over the years, especially when the vet bills are added to the total. They are worth every penny though

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hahaha its best not to count it

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I already have a cage now, not as big as a cambridge but it will doo if i get one untill he/she out grows it.

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Toby, Mia, Harvey and our newest member, Marley(cats)
Gizmo (parrot)
Tommy (bearded dragon)

Is missing my baby boy Noah, been missing since April 2011. (cat)

Run Free;
Tommy, Molly, Tinkerbell and Bambi (cats)
Meg, Fudge, Chocolate & Looper (hamsters)
Snowie, Maisy, Snowflake (rabbits)

For my mice it has cost me £76 to buy all fourteen
tank: £70
Bin cages for Chip and Kissifur and Mintola: £80 (I have posh mice!!)
3 tier cage as a holiday home/temporary cage: £50
Imac cage to replace temp one: £20
Imac for Scambled Egg and Toastie: £17
Habitrail mini cage: £13
Fop Dixie to replace habitrail: £22
Maze for Marx and Charlie: £13
Wheels: £50
New cage for Sookie and Sherbet: £48
Bedding: £15 a week
Food: £21 per month
Bottles: £8
Bottles to replace the ones the girls keep eating: £20
Carriers: £15 for two
Heating mats for the girls tank: £25

Not a cheap pet but I love them to its

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Run free my beautiful rainbow babies. I love you.