#standard rat

[irrationals]

how did i get defective rats

[possumteefys]

They're coming

[possumteefys]

They're coming

[spiritualwitchery]

Come chat in my facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PetRatObsession

[bridle]

Up to something

[willrunforchocolate]

Hey there, I was wondering if your rats are hard to take care of and if they're lovey/affectionate? I'm considering possibly getting a couple but I wanted to gather input first. Also do you have any tips if I do end up getting them? Thank you! x

I’m publishing this in case someone else comes across it (and because I’ve had to deal with some family members lately who have some misconceptions about my pets)

Are rats hard to take care of? Compared to other mammalian pets, no. They’re comparable to any other pocket pet (hamster, gerbil, guinea pig…) They should be given at least one buddy, though, especially if you don’t have lots of time to play with them. Rats are social and will get lonely/depressed when they’re left alone in a cage.

Are rats lovey/affectionate? While each rat will likely have a slightly different disposition, they are MUCH more fun to snuggle than any other rodent pet (example: hamsters bite). Like I said, they’re social, and they do well when held. 

I am actually slightly allergic to my rats. Their nails are small and pointy, which are great for climbing but leave red marks on my skin for an hour or so. Sometimes it makes me itchy, but I put up with it. Some people aren’t as tolerant.

Rats, as long as they’re socialized, should not bite you. They may nip very gently if you smell like food, but I’ve never seen my rats hurt anyone with their teeth (their nails, like I said, are sharp). 

I feed my rats lab blocks as their main diet. It’s fast, relatively cheap, and easy to get. You can do some research online (HERE or HERE) to learn more. 

You should be willing to get your rats a spacious enclosure (I got an aquarium off of Craigslist to start but it’s MUCH better to get them a cage for ventilation/ammonia reasons). They love to climb and a large, well-ventilated space means you don’t have to clean as often. 

On a cleaning note- rats are incontinent. They’ll leave little trails of pee. All the time. You’ve been warned.

When you go to the pet store, it's always a good idea to play with the rats first. I found it was easier to pick my rats from a group that was already housed together- they were babies at the time, but adult rats are good pets too. They just need a little patience if they're shy. Females will be smaller and have more energy as they age compared to males, but my boys are still pretty frisky at 7 months of age. I think rat life expectancy is 2-5 years, but you're better off looking that up.

I love my rats, and if you get them, I hope you do too.