Rodent issues

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Originally Posted by Jeanne

Actually, pet rats are awesome. I prefer males to females, cause males tend to be more laid back, while females seem to want to be on the go more, but there is always the exception with females also, not all are like that. Mice are nasty~ period.... more than anything, mice smell worse than rats, not sure why, they just do. With rats, males tend to have a bit of a stronger smell than females... but really, not bad at all if their cage is kept clean. Rats are smart and very friendly. If you even decide to try to have a rat as a pet, best advice I can give you, DO NOT buy one from a pet store that does not differentiate between feeders and pets. There is a huge difference between a feeder rodent and a pet. The pets are bred for thier temperment and markings/colors/type, they are socialized very early, therefor, they see you, as thier friend and make wonderful pets. When you buy from a pet store, you really must know for sure that they do differentiate between the 2, and alot of times, thats hard to know for sure since pet shops are not all that honest. Most pet shops buy thier rats from suppliers who are selling them for pet/feeders, they are not bred for temperment or anything else, and more often than not, end up making cruddy pets who have nothing but health problems like cancer, tumors and etc.; they are just a money maker (commodity/product), and most of the time, are inbred really badly. However, if you want a really great pet rat, find a breeder, they are all over the US and other places such as Canada,etc. Breeders are the best place to get pet rats, then you are able to be sure that they are well socialized and not inbred. You see less health issues when buying from a reputable breeder because they have higher standards and dont breed rodents with apparent health issues, they also know thier lineage. Rats are super intelligent and sweet. We had over 40 at any given time when I had my rattery in full swing, they were pets first and foremost, and breeders secondly. They can learn thier names, learn to do things.... do a google search for info on pet rats, you will find lots of info.

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Eh..All sounds great but I dont think ill ever have another rodent pet again. I have had throughout my life; mice, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, rabbits...

They are all nasty in my opinion. Ill stick with my cats and snakes.. Thanks for the great explanation though!!

J

By the way, we currently have a mouse in a little cage because the snake didnt want him at the time and my girlfriend decided he would make a cute pet. He is a disgusting creature and as soon as she tires of him, he'll be dinner for one of the snakes.

im kinda with jglass on this one. although they can be and are good pets they freak me out cuz of there teeth, i just know they have those 2 front teeth and after being bit by a hamster the only time im touching a live rat is for food chain pureposes only:D and my snakes loves em:hungry::chew:

We differeniate between rats for feeders and rats that are pets here Jamie. We have our 4 pet rats which are amazingly great pets...very friendly, personable and little to no smell at all. Then we have the feeder rats which live in the back room and though well cared for (for the time they are here) they don't get names or handled at all.

As far as biting, it's not much different than snakes....don't pick up your pet rat is your hand smells of food. Most rats that are raised as pets are very unlikely to bite (far less than a hamster, mouse or gerbil).



~~Jo~~

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

We differeniate between rats for feeders and rats that are pets here Jamie. We have our 4 pet rats which are amazingly great pets...very friendly, personable and little to no smell at all. Then we have the feeder rats which live in the back room and though well cared for (for the time they are here) they don't get names or handled at all.

As far as biting, it's not much different than snakes....don't pick up your pet rat is your hand smells of food. Most rats that are raised as pets are very unlikely to bite (far less than a hamster, mouse or gerbil).



~~Jo~~

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Jo,

I say, to each his/her own. Its not for me but who am I to say what people can keep as pets. I am sure they are wonderful pets.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Eh..All sounds great but I dont think ill ever have another rodent pet again. I have had throughout my life; mice, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, rabbits...

They are all nasty in my opinion. Ill stick with my cats and snakes.. Thanks for the great explanation though!!

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I will agree.. mice, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters and rabbits are stupid, smelly, biting nasty things. Rats are totally different.

Hey I have the sweetest hamster. Poor little thing, getting lumped in with those nasty mice. :rolleyes: She'll take food from your hand and never bites. She is so sweet even with my little monsters, I mean my kids.

Well, every hamster I've met has been a little monster. I had one hanging from my finger by it's teeth.

I think you must just have tasty fingers! :neener:

Umm... I have 15 rats... all pets... Is this too many? :) Considering a breeder friend of mine in Mansfield, TX has over 120 at any given time, I guess I don't have as many as I thought.

I really enjoy my rats. I have 5 hairless(Harry, Emily, Sneezy, Melatonin and Seratonin), two of which have dumbo ears, 1 top-eared powder blue rex(RMAX My Georgia's A Peach), 2 top-eared agouti hooded(Lloyd and Lola), 1 agouti wedge-blazed capped dalmation dumbo(Reggie), 1 black/dark charcoal blazed capped dumbo velveteen rex(Amelia Earhardt), 1 american blue variegated dumbo(RMAX Mistyk Melody), a fawn irish dumbo(male, no name yet), a black wedge-blazed capped dalmation dumbo(Dually-maybe), a mismarked black eyed white(RMAX The Moose Is Loose), and a pearl hairless dumbo(RMAX Wooly Booger-new name needed). WHEW! That was a mouthful :)

They love giving kisses-EVERYWHERE! Licklicklick! Some are even training to be rodentists ;) They will fall asleep on you bruxing and boggling(rat talk for HAPPY/CONTENT).They play wrestle with you and play hide and seek under the covers. They popcorn and just act all-around GOOFY. They get baths, get their nails trimmed, regular vet visits(when needed, of course). I built them their own custom cabinet cage. It's GINORMOUS, 3ftx2ftx4ft and has 4 doors. I lurvs it, so easy to clean and doesn't smell at all. I think my fish smell worse, LoL. They also eat better than our dogs do... Poor things, LoL, so mistreated.

The only downside I've found is that they love to wee on you... Boys and girls alike... piddlepiddlepiddle... But it's not a big deal. I just wipe it off and continue with what I'm doing.

If anyone wants to see pictures of the ratties or of the cage, just let me know... I have plenty, Muahaha :)

I have to chime in! My little black bear hamster is just about the sweetest thing! Very sweet with my babies (3 and 1) and just hangs out on my chest and sleeps. He'll take his little treats and jam them in his cheek pouches till his full up if we let him.


My addendum:

Christie had two pet white mice...NASTY LITTLE BOOGERS!!! One bit me so hard I was gushing blood (at least to my 9 year old memory), but I didn't turn him in cause we didn't want to get in trouble for taking the mice out when the parents were sleeping.

Not all of them are so bad, even I was suprised to like our new little guy (heck, before him I was threatening to feed the two little hamsters my mother bestowed upon my children, which were biting like all get out, to my corns!!!) The new guy is a replacment, and much more liked in my house! :D