At what point do I have a pet rat?

So, I've been trying to switch to f/T anyway...
And Symy is kinda kicking the eating habit for now
I have had this rat for a week and a half, tried to feed a few times with no response. I'm not saying Symy's never eating again, but by then I'll hopefully have f/t for her. At what point do I stop and say "I have a pet rat"

You have a pet rat :P

I say you buy the opposite sex of said rat, and proclaim that you have breeders. ;)

Sounds like you have a pet rat. You may choose to humanely euthanize and then freeze it if you do not wish to keep it as a pet though. That's up to you!

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Originally Posted by Kymberli

You may choose to humanely euthanize and then freeze it if you do not wish to keep it as a pet though. That's up to you!

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Oh, i don't know how i'd bring myself to do it. I'm criticizing those that do euthanize, not at all. But with these hands?...with these hands?

On a side note, I suppose I'll look into long rat care. I just don't want to get bitten by a rat. That would be line for... these hands. It's already taken food directly from me, which seems nice. If anyone has any other rat socializing advice, i'd appreciate that. What is the extent of rat training?

With your hands? No, not with your hands. I was referring to CO2 euthanasia. Though, I can understand not wanting to if you're already attached. I've had pet rodents and loved them, but with how painful their bites are, I couldn't do it again. Lol

When the rat shows no fear, let's you pet and scratch it, and doesn't immediately try to run away once you have it out. Especially once it stops pooping on you. Then it's your pet :)

One of my brown agouti's is like this and he has been a pet since day one. He is a breeder but I have never had plans to feed him off. Even though I have pre killed some old breeders for my retics, I couldn't feed this boy off. He's too cool and totally trusts me.

I had the same experience a month ago. Have a normal male thats been off feed for a long while and tried with a live rat. Well, this rat won me over after a week so I had to give him away. My main concern was having a constant feeding response from all my boys bec they smelled him around. I live in an apt and dont have too many options as to where I could house a rat permanently...

I have plenty of pet rats, they just happen to be really good at making babies too!

you have a pet rat when it is not called sf (snake food) and is given a name that has nothing to do with it being food.