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Small pets

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Original poster

DD wants to keep rats - what do I need to know?

34 replies

HumphreyCobblers · 30/08/2017 22:35

And what do I need to get?

I want to do this properly but I have never owned rats, only hamsters. I would like to get a really good cage. I understand I would need to get two at the least, but I have no knowledge other than that.

Thanks

OP posts:
toomuchhappyland · 30/08/2017 22:37

Biggest cage you can afford. They love space. Look online for ways people have made great rat habitats. Lots of toys, and they love hammocks to sleep in. Boys are lazier than girls and love snuggles more but their giant testicles can be off putting

They are fab pets - you will love them!

toomuchhappyland · 30/08/2017 22:39

Oh and find a breeder near you, don't go to pets at home - their rats come from factory farms and aren't socialised. Rats from a breeder will make much better pets.

ThatsWotSheSaid · 30/08/2017 22:43

If your on Facebook there are lots of groups on there. Rats make wonderful pets your dd has good taste.

Original poster
HumphreyCobblers · 30/08/2017 22:43

Ha to giant testicles. DD learned the word bollocks from comments made by adults regarding her pet hamster Grin

Thank you for your help. Just googled rat hammocks, totally brilliant! I am v happy to invest in a massive cage. Will investigate local breeders.

OP posts:
Original poster
HumphreyCobblers · 30/08/2017 22:45

She wants something to cuddle! She looked after her hamster brilliantly, I reminded her to do everything but she was extremely responsible. I was very proud of her. She was distraught when we lost him.

OP posts:
UnicornTears · 30/08/2017 22:45

Hi OP here might be a website for you to have a gander at ... animals.mom.me/pet-rats-happy-1048.html

Original poster
HumphreyCobblers · 30/08/2017 22:46

Great, thanks!

OP posts:
UnicornTears · 30/08/2017 22:48

Another page i just found for you - www.sheaanimalhospital.com/keep-your-pet-rat-happy-and-healthy-5-simple-steps/

Original poster
HumphreyCobblers · 30/08/2017 22:52

those look brilliant.

I am getting excited now. These rats are clearly for me, not dd Grin

This was the cage I was looking at, www.littlepetwarehouse.co.uk/blenheim-extra-tall-rat-cage-with-accessories-140cm-black/

is this ok for two rats do you think?

OP posts:
Crumblevision · 30/08/2017 23:00

Aw I have had rats before, they were female. Ex (experienced rat keeper) said he preferred them to boys as they were more engaging. I loved them, they were great pets. Enjoy your new pets

UnicornTears · 30/08/2017 23:23

I thought so too! Ha ha ha yes that would be me "heres your pet rats (that im gonna steal!" Lol. My ds will probs have pet rats when he is bigger (he is only just turning 6 months), i love them! Such great pets especiallt for children. I would disagree with the cuddling thing i always find that girls and boys will cuddle just as much as each other depending on what you get them comftorable with and used to from very early on (as soon as you buy them). And back to the point lol Yes i think that cage is wonderful of course providing you get them out a lot to cuddle and play and learn them new tricks what they looove doing (will take training but they are so clever and quick learners like incredibly quick) , and have lots in there for them to cuddle into, burrow into ect. I hope you and your dd enjoy them hun x

UnicornTears · 30/08/2017 23:25

Another thing OP, rats are all about space... they love to run around and jump on things and climb (they are unbelievable at climbing) and working out puzzles (providing the point of the puzzle is to get a reward of food or treats) x

Original poster
HumphreyCobblers · 31/08/2017 09:08

Thanks so much for your advice and encouragement!

I was worried that the cage looked a bit bare and open? I suppose I would add all the things to burrow into.

OP posts:
Original poster
HumphreyCobblers · 31/08/2017 09:10

oh I have just had a look on pinterest!

OP posts:
Original poster
HumphreyCobblers · 31/08/2017 09:11

fishing for peas! DD is soooo excited

OP posts:
gandalfspants · 31/08/2017 09:35

The fancy-rats forum is excellent for all things ratty.

fancyratsforum.co.uk/

Hammocks are totally addictive, old tea towels make good budget hammock, as do the legs of old jeans.

They really are excellent pets. I like big lazy boys.

I'm excited for you! (I'm allergic now so can't have them)

Original poster
HumphreyCobblers · 31/08/2017 09:42

oh no, what a shame

we can't have cats as DH is allergic to them. IT is a great sadness to me

thanks for the link

OP posts:
UnicornTears · 31/08/2017 12:16

Was that meant to say you cant have rats? Or was cats correct? And your so welcome Smile

StormTreader · 31/08/2017 12:21

They are excellent pets, like kittens to play with, like hamsters to look after, perfect :)

If you have lots of time and patience, you can train them to do some pretty complicated tricks (bringing you a tissue from the box when you say "achoo!", putting a little basketball in a miniature hoop etc), youtube has lots of examples!

Original poster
HumphreyCobblers · 31/08/2017 12:57

yes, cats! He doesn't know if he is allergic to rats but he won't have to go near them.

DD would absolutely adore to teach them tricks.

OP posts:
TonicAndTonic · 31/08/2017 13:07

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21670816

Check out the list of basic hygiene rules for rodent keepers in the article above - hantavirus is rare but serious and has been found in fancy rats from a few breeders in the UK.

UnicornTears · 31/08/2017 14:08

I dont actually know how common it is to be allergic to rats.. but yeah he wouldnt have to go near them or anything they have been in conatct with would he so im sure it will be fine. And yes what TonicAndTonic is v.true, they can have jabs to prevent this at your vets. Always take your new rodent to the vet regardless of its breed and get a full health check, jabs ect. Always better safe than sorry not just for you and your kids but for the rat too!

ThatsWotSheSaid · 31/08/2017 15:16

I'm allergic to rats 🙁
If I wasn't I'd have a million.
The only thing about that cage is there isn't much of a tray at the bottom so you might get a lot of bedding kicked out of the cage. I like these kinds of cages.

DD wants to keep rats - what do I need to know?
gandalfspants · 31/08/2017 16:14

It might be worth finding a local ratty person (or breeder when you find one) to let your DH rub a rat or two on his face (or as close as he is comfortable) to see what happens just in case.

Most people I know with rat allergies started out with no reaction, then progressed through little rashes on touch and itchy eyes to full blown asthma symptoms when in the same airspace.

I worked with them as well as kept them. Once I didn't have pet ones anymore I was still on the preventer inhaler, montelucast tablets, and antihistamines, just so I could do my job, despite wearing powered respiratory protection and contact PPE while working with them. I was totally asthma free two months after leaving that role, so definitely the rats.

I'm not sure how common it is in people who don't work with them, so are exposed less, but it's something like 1-3% in those that do.

StormTreader · 31/08/2017 17:09

ThatsWotSheSaid, did you not find that they ate the plastic trays away very quickly? I'd love a big cage like that for my future rats but I couldnt afford to replace the cage every year.

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