Are rats a good pet for a ten year old?

[pinkmadimac]

My son has been desperate for a pet for a long time. Money is tight and we can't really afford a cat or dog so I was thinking about a rat.

Any rat owners on here? Are rats interactive? Could he play with them and stroke them? I have heard of people taking rats out in baby slings - could he do that? Can you put them on a lead type thing and take them for walks in the garden or country?

How much does it cost to keep a rat? I have some money I could use for start up costs - so to buy a large cage multi -layer cage etc but how much are ongoing costs? I'm presuming quite low.

How much work are they?

Any advice much appreciated.

I had rats between the ages of 12-17 and they were
amazing pets. They were so loving, playful and affectionate, they love to interact with people.

As has been said, they need to be kept in pairs (at least) and please do research thoroughly what kind of enclosures and living environments they need before making the commitment.

Your son is a lucky boy if you go ahead!!

We had them but DH and DS became allergic to them, both are slightly asthmatic and it made it worse. They were lovely but be aware if anyone start showing symptoms of allergy. They do make lovely pets though, ours use to like eating chips.

Had to drop in to say - rats are the best pets we (adults) have ever had. Really intelligent, playful and affectionate.
However, these are the significant downsides:
They need to be in groups (minimum pairs)
They need a large cage (think 5ft bird cage) with lots of toys which get swapped out and cleaned regularly
The alpha rat may be aggressive (i had one of ours hanging off my arm by his teeth because I wouldn't let him on the floor)
Which brings me to vet bills - costs we incurred included x1 testosterone suppression chip for the rat above, home nebulisers, medications for respiratory infections (Hundreds in total)
They also don't live nearly long enough (1-2years was our average) and some of them die horrific deaths (head tumours and neurological issues as well as protracted respiratory infections).
I don't want to put you off. As I say they were the best pets we had but you should go into it eyes open and prepared for the costs and heartbreak!

Have you ever considered a rabbit? I have a flemish giant. He is so friendly and sociable, he has never bitten and is completely house trained and goes to toliet in litter tray. He loves being out in the garden also. It's the best pet I have ever owed.

so just rats as like rats from the bin areas and roofs for pets?

Yes, just like that 🙄

but what stops pet rats from running away, eating through walls and wires?

They come when they are called and they love their humans. Why would they run away? Have you been on the gin tonight?

Rats are amazing pets but go do some research. Don't buy from a petshop. Look for an nrs breeder, join some Facebook groups for advice. Do not have just 1, best off with atleast 3. They are playful, loving, intelligent pets. But don't take them outside. They can pick up diseases from the garden.

They are not cheap. Make sure you find an exotic vet, not all vets know how to help rats. They only love short loves so be prepared to lose them between 18 months to 3 years max.

They need lots of toys and daily interaction. Preferably at least 1 hour out of their cage every day. They also need their cage cleaning regularly. They are prone to respiratory issues so you need to keep their cage clean to reduce this.

I do think rats are an excellent pet for children, but just make sure you have the time for them and be aware they are not cheap if they need to see a vet

They’re incontinent

Oh wow. I love those. Dunno how one would cope with two Labradors and a slightly unhinged cat though.

OP I had rats when I couldn’t have a dog, and they’re a good substitution. Really intelligent, you can teach them recall, very interactive, so much better than other rodents. But people are very funny about them. Tbh I didn’t care about that bit (my poor housemates!).

Rats do make good pets for children. I had pet rats as a child. However, in answer to your question - are they cheap? In comparison to cats and dogs, yes, but still not cheap, you'll need to put £10 a month, per rat aside at least for vet bills - vet bills are expensive especially out of hours or referrals. You also need to find a vet who actually knows about rodents, otherwise you are in for confusion and heart ache. Rats are social and so you'll need a trio and also to be prepared to get more once one is alone or to give up the last one to someone else with rats. If you want rats children can handle, you need to find a reputable breeder (check out the National Fancy Rat Society) or a reputable rescue. It's not safe to let rats outside due to communicable diseases and they are prey animals. They will find harnesses distressing and will find a way to wriggle out of them. Many people are allergic so if your family has never been around rats, go to a rat show and meet some first - make sure they are the right pet for you.

Rats are fantastic pets, but not easy to keep well and I'd expect a 10yo to need support from an adult.

They need a large cage, bigger than many people assume, with a lot of stimulation items, and to have access to digging as they have an instinct to burrow.

They can be incredibly tame and affectionate, but if you get things wrong with a rat their bites are quite serious. You need to put in the effort with them when they're young.

I've kept rats for a long time and it's rare to find one that will accept a lead, and I wouldn't think it would be safe to take them outside on one, they are little escape artists.

I would just share a note of caution. Rats are great pets. I first bought three girls from a reputable breeder who handled them a lot from kittens / pups and they were well socialised and very friendly. Rats do bite. They are prey animals therefore they will be nervous and will protect their home. Do - and get your son to do - a lot of reading on how to introduce yourself to your rats.
All three of those rats died before they were 18 months old. One didn’t even make it to a year. The breeder inadvertently introduced some health issues and stopped breeding off that arm of her rats.
When we were down to one we switched to rescue rats as there are many available which need rehoming. But some of them had issues from being mistreated and were bitey.
They are fun and sociable and smart. We always had girls and they are not cuddly. They’re on the go all the time. They are fun to watch and will run on you but not lie for a stroke. Male rats tend to be lazier and may chill in a lap but they are much smellier.
Get as big a cage as you can fit. We got the Ferplast Furet that’s about a metre square. Fill it with things they can climb on and hide in. Hammocks, ropes, tunnels, Sputniks. They will chew everything and they will pee on everything so you want an assembly you can take apart and wash. Consider Aubiose to reduce the smell. Rats can also learn to use litter trays but often don’t.
If your cage is tall create a soft layer of hammocks near the bottom so they have a soft landing if they fall while climbing.
It is not my experience that rats are cheap. Considering what we think of them as sewer dwelling pests, they are not at all robust. Almost every rat will get in its lifetime (probably several times) a URI which will need robust treatment with antibiotics and anti bacterials. They are prone to tumours including pituitary tumours and hind leg degeneration. So vet fees are a thing. I once read that rats are second in cost to horses and honestly I can believe it.
By the time we had 7 little graves in the garden my heart couldn’t take it anymore.
Because of the risk of wild rat borne diseases like Weils, I wouldn’t personally walk pet rats outside. If you could even find a harness small enough. I know some people do.
They are very smart and friendly - like tiny dogs - if properly socialised. They can learn tricks, they will sit on your shoulder, climb up your leg. They are funny and curious and a lot of fun for children.
But they are not robust or long-lived. They are expensive in vet fees and need a lot of cleaning out care to keep them from smelling - although perversely if you clean them out too much they get more stinky as they need to scent mark everything.
So yes, great pets, but join some rat forums and Facebook groups and do your research before you take the plunge.

Lots of charities have small animals like rats needing homes and they may be able to provide cages etc too for a small donation

I've been keeping rats for 7 years now. Knowledge has changed dramatically in recent times and the way some were kept in the past is now classed as cruel.
They need a massive cage, with height as well as good floor space. Lots of fall breaks, litter and bedding substrate. A very good exotic vet is essential as rats have very specific health issues. They need a good rat specific shunamite food mix, definitely not shop bought nuggets. Buy from a NFRS registered breeder, not a pet shop as they use rodent mills and backyard breeders.

They are amazing little pets, very sociable and loving. They do scent mark constantly so if this is an issue, they are not the right pet for you. They can get hormonal aggression when they hit maturity so may need implant/neutered (both males and females).
I recommend you join Scottish rat owners and rat care UK on Facebook and garner as much info as possible before making decision.
I couldn't not have them in my life but they do need a lot of knowledge to give them all that they need to thrive.

They aren't incontinent, they scent mark a lot. They have full control of their bladders and use litter trays well. They will however take great joy in making their human smell like them, it's only a little drip usually.

I forgot to answer your question re going outside. It really isn't recommended as they are prey animals and it's very stressful for them. It's best to have a safe area they can free roam inside. I'm lucky enough to have a dedicated rat room. Leads are not a good idea, I've seen many a post about a pet escaping never to be seen again, just not worth it imo.

First up @pinkmadimac , have a search on "Small Pets" ( under Pets ) theres a fair bit of RatFans on there .

If your son wants rats then don't get him guinea-pigs if someone suggests this as an alternative .
<Disclaimer> I LOVE guinea-pigs . Love them. Had them as a child , then my DD and I had them when she was 9yo . We had eight of them over a period of eight years .Very different to rats apart from the affection/non bitey . Bone idle , don;t exhert themselves , not the sharpest tools in the shed .
Females we had were feisty ( all ex Rescue ) boars were love sponges
(But they don't have the creept tails <bonus> )

Rats have the moving amazing paws , the back feet are almost like human feet but far prettier .
Read up . Research . Enjoy .

DS1 had 3 rats from babies, we did all the research, had a fantastic set-up, handled them lots, toys, enrichment, great food etc etc but they never ever bonded with anyone, hated being picked up, would hide if out of their cage, bit us a number of times (really, really, really painful) and as a pp mentioned died horrible deaths - none made it past 2 years.
They were absolutely beautiful, interesting, intelligent little animals but our experience was overwhelmingly negative and I'd not have another caged animal ever again.

Thanks everyone. More food for thought there. I had thought they would be a cheap option as money is tight, so that has given me pause for thought. We have found a good three tier large cage second hand online but after some of these comments I will give it some more thought. Apart from anything, a large cage is a lot of cleaning!

We have a ferret, he is amazing! They are sociable but we got him from a rescue and were told he liked his own space so we keep him in a huge hutch in the garden. He gets to run about the house or garden (supervised) likes to chase your feet and even chases the dog about the house. If you can get over their odd smell, I would highly recommend. He’s my fourth ferret since childhood and they are really easy to look after, they literally sleep all the time!

No they aren't. They use litter trays in their cage and if out they will go back in to toilet. Mice pee so they can find their way back and gerbils poo everywhere.

Great pets but I really wouldn’t take them out of the house .

We used to take ours out on hill walks, tucked into a sleeve or a hood 😂