Anybody keep pet rats? I have a few questions..

[haggisaggis]

ds is quite keen and dh says he will think about it. The ones in the pet shop look really cute but they are quite small. We bought a book and it says their bodies (never mind their tails!) grow to about 20 cms - is this true?
Are they smelly and is it true that females are less smelly than males?
Where do you keep their cage?
Are they as friendly as the book and the pet shop state?
Thanks for any info.

Anyone?

We have two males, they only smell if you don't clean them out regularly but no more than hamsters etc... If you handle them loads then they will become very tame. Mine are big fatties and I keep them in the den/playroom.

I had 4 pet rats, they were smaller than the males. I know a little girl with a pet male and he is double the size my female rats were.

They were friendly. intelligent and good pets. But yes they are a bit smelly.

there's someone on mumsnet who has 5, she knows a lot about rats.

my top tip is get ones which aren't too nervous because some nervous ones never get to enjoy being handled. Get one, or two, which are already tame and easily handled.

Rats make really lovely pets. They are clever and love company (get two if your DS is not going to have them out every day). They don't sleep only at night like hamsters and can be trained to do tricks etc. They do need company though and to be where they can see you and be nosey.

Male's smell a bit as they get into old age (above 2ish) but are more loving and will sit on your knee or shoulder. The girls (does) are smaller and more active (will run around more) and their fur is softer.

I have had about 20 rats so far - some rescue and some from kits. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.

P.S. Most people would say to have them in pairs but i did have one on his own when i was a student (he was the only one left in the litter) and he was just fab.

Oh - and they eat EVERYTHING - you have to give them Rat food but on top of that in moderation they will eat any fruit, veg, meat..............

HTH

P.S. Kits is what the babies are called - not like an airfix model LOL!

I had a rat many years ago and he was a lovely pet.

Yes they do get quite large, and, as long as you handle them whilst they are young then they can be very very tame.

I never found that he smelt, as long as the cage was cleaned regularly he was fine. I kept the cage on a unit in the living room.

Hope this helps.

Thanks. How long do they live for? We are planning on getting 2 (IF we can get dh to agree on rats at all)I just can't work out where to put the cage. I think we would nee dto put it in our hall (we rarely use the front door so it's not draughty) as the playroom is too full of toys, the family room is too small and the living room gets too hot!

They live to be about 2 and a half to three years old (not long enough - sob).

Hall would be great as they could 'see' (they're very short sighted) people coming and going.

Oooh - and get a hammock for their cage - they love lazing around in those.

males are friendlier. i had 3 brothers at one time and i used to let them roam in the bedroom and they followed me everywhere! better to get from a breeder if there is one local as thye are handled from birth and are tamer. if you get from pet shop get a really small one as the youngerthe better for taming and being friendlier.
i found that using either wood based or paper based cat litter is best as also normal saw dust can irritate rats respiratory system.
if you get one you need more attention as they are social creatures.
they live anywhere between 2 and 5 years though they are prone to cancers so average is just over 2.5 years.