Opinions please on if your childminder got a pet rat

[goldie81]

Just that really. My son would really love one. Well in fact he'd prob prefer a dog but that wouldn't work. But what are people's opinions? I know they get a bad press but rats are very friendly etc.
would having a rat stop you using a minder even if ensured in cage upstairs etc?
Thanks

I'd be fine with it, we had 2 lovely rats when I was a child and they were lovely.

Rats make excellent pets: very intelligent and friendly. You will need more than one, though, and they do have different temperaments - some are more happy to be handled than others.
You will also need to clean them out very regularly, especially if they're in the house with you. Clean animals though they are, they can be very smelly very quickly and I think that could be more off-putting, to be honest.

A friend of mine used to keep them - you could really tell when they needed cleaning out!

I can't see anyone objecting to you having a pet in a cage upstairs. Would you even be required to tell them?

Letting the mindees handle/interact with them might put some parents off, but as long as you ask and respect their choice I can't see it being a problem.

It wouldn't bother me.

Sorry to say it would definitely put me off and I wouldn't want my kid touching it. But I don't like rodents full stop.

No different than having any other pet imo.