Advice on pet rats please

[Survivingmy3yearold]

Hello

We're looking at getting some pet rats. We've had mice, although have found them very skittish and not very sociable, despite lots of trying. They have also all become really quite poorly and developed tumours and died within a year, although maybe we have just been unlucky. We would like pets that we can really get to know and enjoy, and have heard that rats can be really friendly and sociable and enjoy human interaction. A friend has mentioned that pets at home sell pet rats, although I'm reluctant to go with them, I don't know whether a proper breeder would be the better option. Are there any experienced rat keepers out there who can offer any advice?

We have a pair of females and they are very friendly and easily handled by my children. I’d definitely get them from a breeder who will select for temperament and handle them from being young. Pet shop rats are from the equivalent of a puppy farm and are likely to be more of an unknown quantity.

Big shops can end up buying their stock from small breeders, too.
Rats are actual pets, amazing difference from mice.

My ratties knew their names & would come when called. Lovely. 💕

We have had lots of rats in the past, ones bought directly from a breeder were the healthiest.
But we only ever had one unfriendly rat, the rest all became extremely tame.
They don't live very long though.

Thank you all for the advice so far, we'll give it a go and have a look at some local breeders

I can recommend rats, they are wonderful pets. The only problem is that they don't live long enough 😪
If you are in South London there's a wonderful rest rescue place. They had a huge influx of rescued rats this week.
https://www.gerbilandrodentrescue.co.uk/

Rats are amazing pets, we've taught ours tricks, they are sociable and love human interaction, they free roam the house and come when called!

I have 6 though I'm looking to rehire the 3 baby ones as I don't have the time for them anymore.

Please get them from a reputable breeder not a Pet shop as they'll be used to being handled and will be from good parents with known health.

How long do they live for?

Ours have died between 20 months & 2 years 9 months. That's about 8 rats in total. You hear of them living 3-4 years but I would say 4 is very unusual.

Exactly what I came on this post to say. Gerbil and Rodent Rescue have done a big rat rescue this week, and it would be wonderful OP if you could adopt. If you're not in the south do please try your local rescues. While there are so many perfectly decent, but unwanted pets in rescue, Breeders unfortunately just compound the issue of over population.

I'd go to breeder , there are fb pages with advice

I had 9 a few years ago and I loved them , I prefer boys just because they're cuddlier.

I've just rescued 5 girls , make sure you handle them and a breeder will have handled them well before you get them, my rescues haven't been handled and as a result are skittish and one is a biter . I'm persevering and they're getting better as they are fast learners.

Do they smell?

We had male rats. They are hilarious, gorgeous animals. I agree about the reputable breeder. I would walk around with them on my shoulders and was in bits when they died. One was really affectionate, he'd just sit on my hand and stay there for strokes.

Mine came to me smelling dreadful but had been kept,in squalor.

When I had my 9 they didn't smell . The boys have a lovely musky smell and I was forever smelling them as I carried the, around doing daily activities,

If they aren't cared for they can smell .

Ours had a slight musky smell but nothing offensive. The cage cleaning can be hard work to keep on top of.