I would describe pet rats as being
Brilliant. My girls are litter trained, know what the words "breakfast" "Dinner" and "What are you doing?" mean. They all love to be cuddled and played with, and are very, very clean. They learn super quickly, and they became very attached to my family very quickly. They even seem to like my dogs! They need lots of out time, so someone who couldn't let them out to run and tussle should not get rats as a pet. Also, rats do pee to mark, so if this freaks you out, stay away. It doesn't bother me much, I take it as a compliment that they're marking me as theirs.
I got my pet rat from
A petco. I wouldn't normally suggest it, but my girls were just too cute to leave behind. I plan to rescue from now on. There are lots of rat rescues all across the country, and many normal shelters take rats as well. They may need extra love, but they're all wonderful pets.
Tips and Tricks
- Rats don't like the rat toys at the pet store? Take a look in the parrot section. They're chewable and fun, plus most have great hanging hooks for cages.
- The bigger the cage, the better. Rats need lots of room to run and play.
- Rats are trainable! Start with easy commands, and use small treats (like cheerios) as a reward. They'll learn fast and want to learn more.
- Have a rat who seems scared of you? Some rats from large stores are not well socialized, but will come around with some extra TLC. One of my girls was a scaredy rat, but now she's my loviest girl!
