Or, as people who own them as pets call them: ratties.
I never knew this, but rats make great pets for kids. Did you know that there are 4 types of animals that really 'bond' to humans. Dogs are number one and rats are number 4.
If you keep their environment clean, they are clean animals. If they are properly socialized, they don't bite. And, most important, unlike most other small pets such as gerbils, they bond to their owners if they get enough attention. That means, when they are out of the cage, they don't scurry off to find a hiding place. They interact, they are friendly and they prefer to be with those they are bonded to.
I wish I had known this when my kids were little. When they wanted a pet, I would have chosen low maintenance rats! But, there is always the possiblity of grand children one of these days. And, Grammy might just help with their first pet. :-)
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This discussion should be PG13 because if my kids were to see this, they would be BEGGING for new pet rats.. We have a hampster. She's very social and she attached very quickly to us. She follows me around in her hampster ball like a baby chick following it's mama.
Paige said:
I have two chihuahua's that look like rats..does that count? haha!!
I have a friend whose two sons had rats for pets. When I was visiting one day, they let me hold one of them. They are sweet little animals. I was surprised, though, to find myself being used as a bathroom by it (the liquid stuff)! However, the urine did not stink and it washed right out of my clothing--no stains, etc. It's something to be aware of, though--they will do their business whenever the urge strikes, so be aware of that. Otherwise I wouldn't mind having a rat as a pet, except we've got four cats and I'm sure one of them would think dear rattie was dinner. My husband had rats as pets when he was a boy and he loved them. They make excellent pets.
BTW, I recently saw the Pixar movie "Ratatouille," and I highly recommend it. Very cute with good messages. Different kinds of rats than the domesticated ones we're talking about here, though.
We are visiting my sister and her family. Montana, my neice, has 2 ratties. She carries them around in a pouch. One loves to ride on her shoulder. It gives her little kisses. It is so cute.
Ok. You folks can keep your rats. I would rather have a cat or a bunny. When you take the time to work with bunnies out of the hutch they can be fun pets. Did you know that they make some soft noises? I had one once that would torment my cat. They went round and round this couch thing I had. Bunny was always a few jumps ahead of the cat. I had to give up on bunnies because I can only keep them in an outdoor hutch and cannot prevent a fly problem that has proven deadly to bunnies, even in a clean hutch.
I know exactly where you are coming from. I have a couple of rats right now and they are so sweet. I can't get enough of them! They are super easy to train and so cute when they are babies! I wish people could get past the negative sterotype that follows these loveable little guys, and realize that they make such great pets. Rats are much less likely to bite than their cousin, the hampster. They are perfect for someone who wants a low maintainence animal to cuddle with them at night while they watch TV. Also, rats will eat just about anything you give them as a snack!
Yes, Juanita..you are right! My daughter, Renee, had several pet rats. She "adopted" one older female, but because she was not every socialized or taken care of, she was a "biter". Unfortunately, we could not keep her. She raised a brown female from infancy, and little "brownie" was the smartest, most affectionate animal you could imagine. It's unfortunate that they don't live that long, because we became very attached to her. They make tremendous "friends", when taken care of properly and you spend time with them. It's nice to know someone else doesn't think we're crazy for loving these little animals!
Replies
This discussion should be PG13 because if my kids were to see this, they would be BEGGING for new pet rats.. We have a hampster. She's very social and she attached very quickly to us. She follows me around in her hampster ball like a baby chick following it's mama.
Paige said:
BTW, I recently saw the Pixar movie "Ratatouille," and I highly recommend it. Very cute with good messages. Different kinds of rats than the domesticated ones we're talking about here, though.
We are visiting my sister and her family. Montana, my neice, has 2 ratties. She carries them around in a pouch. One loves to ride on her shoulder. It gives her little kisses. It is so cute.