hello can anybody let me no what its like keeping rats as pets?
i have had hamsters, and mice, out of the 2 i prefered the mice as they were less likely to bite.

but i am interested in buying a rat, and wondered if they make ok pets?
anybody that can tell me a few things about them that would be great.

Rats make fab pets. The are fun and love to play, love to snuggle and are great to just watch.

They should always be kept in the minimum of a same sex pair, in a large cage with room to climb as rats love to climb. Hammocks, igloos and ropes will enrich their environment. A good diet is essential and although they love table scraps etc care must be taken to not let them get too fat.

Please try and get your rats from an NFRS registered breeder or rescue, pet shops are supplied by rodent farms where they breed back to back and kept in appaling conditions.

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Jacky and the pet gang

Rats are amazing pets!!! Mine used to ride around on my shoulder and come to the shops with me and everything.

ok thanks, so i need to buy a pair! does the sex matter as in our 2 boys ok, rather than 2 females?

i never knew rats etc came from such places when you went in a pet shop thats pretty bad.
i'll have a look around and see if theres maybe some that need re-homing.

It depends what you are looking for. Boys tends to be lazier and cuddlier and girls are much more active and excited....but there are of course the few who break the rules lol

I agree with what the others have said. I can't praise pet rats enough. My son has two boys and they are fab pets. I've had rats since I was at school and I can honestly say I can never remember being bitten, except occasionaly when one is greedy and grabs at food and gets your finger by mistake, but it is only ever a nip.
Some people are put off by male rats because their 'boy bits' are very large and this seems to disturb them!?!. I have kept both and the only problem I had with girls is that they are prone to mamery tumours which is why I now keep boys.

a good diet and rats from a good breeder can almost rule out mammary tumours.

Bucks are lazier and in general more cuddly than does, but bucks can go through a hormonal phase at 4 ish months which if you are not firm with them means they will get the upper hand over you lol

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Jacky and the pet gang

Rats are fab pets,had a few hated the tails but apart from that we got on great.can be prone to lumps and bumps but can make anyone a great pet....

This is one of my boys Fender



And one of my dumbo girls Dandelion (aka LittleTitch)



Chilled out pets

bless they are so cute if i had known rats were so intellient and gentle i would'nt have bothered with hamsters, and mice.

been watching some vids online and you can get your rat to open doors and do tricks lol