Do you ever feel bad feeding live?

[AcePythons]

So, I still have yet to attempt to switch mine over to f/t (due to me being scared of defrosting them incorrectly), but sometimes I feel bad feeding live since I have had rats as pets before.

I feel especially bad feeding the chunky, cute lil baby rats. I pull them out of the bag and they are just so freakin adorable, but I know that if they aren't going to my snakes, they are going to someone else's anyway...

And occasionally if my dogs are in the room they will hear the rats being eaten and start whining and pacing around the room, which makes me feel even worse!!

So, this made me curious, how many of you have a twinge of guilt throwing the rats into the cage as dinner?

[mainbutter]

Dont worry about "defrosting incorrectly". Really, there is nothing easier.

Dunk the rodent in warm water. Let it sit until defrosted thoroughly. If it's a large rodent, dump out and refill the water once chilled.

Some people defrost in bags. There really is no need to prevent water from touching your rodent. I mean really, it's water.

I never feel guilty about feeding live, but for me it isn't necessary. I've never had a snake that refused F/T.

[AcePythons]

Hey so mainbutter - did "likebull1" ever send you their first baby?! It's been 2 years .... those were some sweet lookin snakes on that thread.

And I'm going to attempt f/t next time on two of mine.

[Kesslers Kreatures]

I have never really had a problem feeding live. It's pretty much the way of life. Snakes eat live in the wild, why should it be any different here with me. I do keep a close eye whenever feeding though but I have yet to have any problems due to a live rat.

[tweets_4611]

I do feel kinda bad for the rodent, but not so bad that I'm not going to feed my snakes. I've had pet rats before as well, but I don't ever think that I'm feeding a pet... these mice or rats were raise to be fed off. I would never feed off someones pet rodent, but the feeders (who live quite a spoiled life here) just give me that twinge of "Sorry lil guy"

[Lolo76]

I feel especially bad feeding the chunky, cute lil baby rats. I pull them out of the bag and they are just so freakin adorable

Ditto that... I only feel bad with the baby rats, and occasionally a super cute adult rat. Mice? Meh, I couldn't really care less about them. I mostly stick with f/t rats (more live mice), so it's rare that I have to feel guilty.

And occasionally if my dogs are in the room they will hear the rats being eaten and start whining and pacing around the room, which makes me feel even worse!!

My dog does that too! He's a herding breed of some sort, and feels the need to protect every animal smaller than himself... I have to lock him out of the room during feedings, or he will literally try to rescue them from the tubs.

[ballpythonluvr]

I don't really feel bad. My snake eats live prey and I deal with it and accept it.

[PYMOM]

If not feeding in another week I may have to go live....I keep telling myself its "the way of the World" Snakes are just higher up the food chain than a rodent. If you have taken on the responsibility of owning a snake then you must do whats necessary for it survival. Its dependent on you.




P.S. I personally dread going live. Please eat this week Diamond.

[WaRocker]

I never feel bad.. Esp after getting bit by a rat.. OUCH!!!
I would rather get bit by my Burm.. Those cute lil rats will chew and not let go till the teeth touch the other side.. Forget that..
I only have 2 snakes that need live.. I really actually hope their end comes fast and without hurting my snake.

[Freakie_frog]

Feeding live is only the second worse thing when it comes to owning snakes. Having to kill the rat yourself to assist feed or because your snake is a dumby and didn't grab the rat right to aviod injury..that the worse part..