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Small pets

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Original poster

Some one come and convince/put me off about Rats!

19 replies

SparkySparrow · 22/02/2012 13:17

Have started other threads about Gerbils and G-pigs and have decided they are not for us.
Gerbils to fast,escape artists,pain in the arse to house.
G Pigs seem to need more room than I can give them. Otherwise they would be perfect! :(

While I was at the pet shop today browsing asking about gerbils the lady mentioned rats. (The ones there seemed sweet - feeling abit rat broody) Now on paper, and from what she told me they seem to be great pets, and easy to handle (have a 4yo ds). I know they need a fairly big cage, which is ok as I can get a good size one on my sideboard where they would live and the cage can go up for more space (where as a g pig would have to have a large 1 level) .
Do they really pee everywhere? Confused

Also I have a bit of a thing about the naked tails, (gerbils were fine, they had fur!) reminds me of worms Confused. Is there anyone out there who has the same issue with tails and have gotten over it?

Please inspire me one way or another!

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 22/02/2012 19:24

Well ,on the tails issue guinea-pigs win paws down (they insist they don't have hands) Grin

My DD, who is a bit of an animal phobic (has made great leaps in confidence and carries her GP now) was enchanted by a rat in the local (independant not Pet@Home) petshop.

She stroked the tail and said it didn't feel like a worm, but was warm and smooth.

I had mice as a teenager and they can wrap their tails round your wrist and whip you with them Wink

Original poster
SparkySparrow · 22/02/2012 20:09

Ah see now I have images of rats brandishing their creepy tails ready to whack me with them Confused

OP posts:
mamaggie · 22/02/2012 20:15

SparkySparrow my daughter had pet rats and I was horrified at first - the tails made me feel queasy.

However!! They are very endearing creatures and can be brilliant pets.

She had two, Steve and George (she got them from Rat Rescue) and they were middle-aged gentlemen rats and just lovely. So intelligent and so friendly.

If you get babies, you can train them to do tricks, you can't do that with a guinea pig.

Ponders · 22/02/2012 20:21

DS2 had rats for a while.

I prefer females - they are smaller & less smelly, but a bit livelier apparently

They are wildly intelligent & \link{http://www.aquatica.ltd.uk/images/Blue-Dumbo-Rats.jpg\dumbos} are adorable Smile

if you can find some female dumbos (you need to get at least 2) I'd say go for it!

Ponders · 22/02/2012 20:24

oh, they do chew a lot...

DS2 used to let his run around around on his bed, & all his sheets & duvet covers had nibbled holes (& his t-shirts, if he was reclining on the bed playing on his XBox at the same time) - you do have to watch them when they're out of the cage

mamaggie · 22/02/2012 20:24

Steve and George were dumbos, so sweet. You must get two though, they are very sociable animals.

TheReturnOfStropperella · 22/02/2012 20:30

They are lovely pets, very intelligent and learn their names - unlike most other rodents. Males really do wee absolutely everywhere, but I am not sure if females also do this. They also chew everything. What I found difficult was that they were so sweet and clever that I got very fond of them, but they didn't last very long. I had two sets of two males. Have to admit I had one who was a bit of an alpha rat and somewhat bitey - not to me, but he chomped my mother when she was pet-sitting (because she hadn't listened to my instructions about how to get him back in his cage). He never got asked back to stay again Grin . He also liked cider - as I found out when my then-h left his full pint glass on the floor by his chair and we caught the rat slurping out of it..

Ponders · 22/02/2012 20:33

no, they don't live long, max 3 years I think, & both sexes prone to tumours

one of our old boys got a huge one in his side Sad

Original poster
SparkySparrow · 22/02/2012 20:33

They are cute!!! Its just the damn tails!
I'm sure I'd get used to it eventually. Do pets shops usually let you handle them before you buy. Our Pet shop (independent) is good but she didn't offer to get them out.

Btw I love the names Steve and George! Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
SparkySparrow · 22/02/2012 20:35

Grin at the cider slurping rat!

Life span does worry me. Dhammy is coming to the end of his days, and I know I will be devastated , and I don't think I have half as much bond with him as I would do with a Rat.

OP posts:
Ponders · 22/02/2012 20:40

DS2's were George & Ronnie Grin

yes, the shop should let you handle them.

maybe you'd be better with a small rabbit? they live much longer I think - up to 8 years? \link{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherland_Dwarf\dwarf netherlands} are very dinky & would make a good house pet (& they can be house-trained, unlike rats)

they chew too though

2ombie5layer · 22/02/2012 20:44

We gained a couple of rats. I let DH do the picking up. Thats how I get round the tail side of things. Grin

Original poster
SparkySparrow · 22/02/2012 20:47

I have considered a Rabbit, but I haven't had good experiences in the past.

But very possibly on the cards after that picture. God I'm such a soppy moo!

This also shouldn't be so difficult. I should make a decision and think 'I want a Rat/Rabbit/Goat' and that should be that Confused .

OP posts:
jollymary · 23/02/2012 21:31

Rats are fantastic! lovely, interactive pets. Hope you get some....

NorkyPies · 02/03/2012 21:54

If you are put off by rats' tails (as I was), the black ones have black tails that are not so off-putting. As they get older the black fades a little, but in my case by that time the tails were completely acceptable, as the animals are so endearing.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 02/03/2012 21:56

They are fantastic pets - best to get a pair rather than just one.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 02/03/2012 21:58

I always liked the males better - seemed friendlier, somehow.

We had:

Meriadoc and Peregrine
Tipton and Dudley
Bingley and Darcy

shivster1980 · 08/03/2012 22:35

We have rats. 4 ladies currently (Dusty,Cilla,Tammy and Patsy) but we have had Ratfink,Cinnamon,Sydney,Benny,Lulu,and Poppy RIP
Pros: Friendly inquisitive, never bitten, clever.
Cons: Males do wee quite a bit, and their bollocks seem disproportionally big for their bodies which can be a little off putting. However although they have all got lovely natures, my boy rats were the sweetest by far.

nenevomito · 11/03/2012 22:06

I have a lovely boy rat - we feel a bit bad as he's a lone rat and if we got more, we'd buy two together, but he gets lots of attention from us and is actually sat on my shoulder as I am typing this now.

He joins us for a piece of toast in the morning and will steal alcohol if its about. He also enjoys snuggling in my jumper of an evening and watching the TV.

At first we let him run free when we let him out, but he chewed through a lot of wires, so now isn't allowed off chairs. I love my rat - they are intelligent, friendly and very good pets. We will definitely get more when this one pops his clogs. If it wasn't that he may fight a new one we'd get him a companion, but he gets spoiled to make up for it.

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