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Small pets

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Where to buy a pet rat

7 replies

DoorOpening · 01/08/2026 16:19

Hi, my DC (14) is v keen to get two pet rats. We are keen to get them from a reputable breeder as we are told that pets at home/similar places aren’t the best source. Does anyone have any advice on how to find someone, please? It’s all new to me!

Other rat keeping tips welcome!
Thank you

OP posts:
LeftBoobGoneRogue · 01/08/2026 17:25

@DoorOpeningyou do realise that pet rats wee all the time. Constant drips of urine.They can also carry many diseases. A work colleague had rats and they chewed furniture and shoes.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pet-rats-mice-hamsters-reducing-the-risk-of-infection/reducing-the-risk-of-human-infection-from-pet-rodents

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 01/08/2026 19:31

@DoorOpening
I haven't kept rats , my rodents were non-tailey, non climbing, not very bright guinea-pigs (but I loved them !

There's a tonne of good advice on Small Pets , search up rats in this section.
First thing you need to decide is their accomodation. Size of cage , where will you site it , what enrichment will you supply in their
Then somewhere safe they can explore , they are active little things . You can train them to respond to their names , they're often described as being like tiny dogs .
Boys or Girls ? Boys are heftier but considered friendlier .
You need a good Vet who is RatSavvy and read up on their dietry needs and ailments . They are respiratory sensitive and can be prone to tumours .
You are right to stay clear of P@H , factory farming for rodents Angry

Rescue rats might work but you need to know what you're getting ( All my guinea-pigs were from Rescue and some quite sad tales how they ended up there for some , not all . None of it was their fault so they didn't have behavioural problems , just not good starts for some of them)

Like all animals , keeping them clean ( I recommend steam cleaners as its just water ) and hand hygiene .

Some keepers recommend three as inevitably one dies and they need company . Your DD and everyone else in the house needs to make sure there's no allergies to the fur or any bedding they use .

If she wants rats in particular then get her to research .
Good Luck !

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 01/08/2026 19:34

Add- you can go high with the cage as they like climbing levels unlike my guineas who were very much " ground level suit me thank you " Grin
So you can have a smaller footprint high tower
Make sure it is a good enough size . Bigger is always better for the small furries .

mummabubs · 01/08/2026 20:09

I think it will be hard to advise OP given no one knows where you live. For what it's worth we're also on the lookout for two rats (for DS). I googled "rat breeder (our location)" and found one local breeder. They aren't planning another litter until November and then we'll have to wait eight weeks for collection so I've braced DS that he's in for a little wait.

I also had misgivings about Pets at Home for buying pets but decided to pop along anyway and I'm more convinced to avoid than before. The two rats they had were clearly adults (so unlikely to live more than a year or so) and when I asked staff if they're routinely handled to get used to people they replied that they are cleaned out often... So I took that as a no!

bozo123 · 01/08/2026 20:17

Get an existing group from a rescue. They’ll be sexed and bonded and you’ll get support. The blue cross have some for example.
totally agree with avoiding with pets at home and also look up your exotics vet in advance. We have rabbits and learnt all this the hard way. Could never have rats as my cat would be much too interested.

Deadleaves77 · 01/08/2026 20:17

Personally I would keep an eye out for rescues, as I often see baby rats on rodent rescue sites after overbreeding issues. Theres no big chain that's going to sell you ethically bred rats, you might find a local hobby breeder

DoorOpening · 01/08/2026 20:56

Thank you - some good advice. I hadn’t thought of rescues. Will look into that.

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