Rats

demonmagus · Apr 29, 2006

Hi, are rats easy to handle (i am awful at taming!) because i may me given some and hopefully i will be able to hold them (they are tame already so

), also, I need some 'reasons' for being allowed to have 2, as my auntie (who decides everything), thinks they are dirty :-(

and smelly animals, so i need some help in my argument :lol:

thanks

fishRfriends · Apr 29, 2006

I pretty sure we are allowed to link stuff here right? lol. I HIGHLY reccomend joining www.goosemoose.com .
You will find everything you need there and people will swarm to you to help you make whatever argument you possibly need to convince your aunt to let you have 2 rats

Good luck! Once you get rats, you will be hooked forever

MegTheFish · Apr 29, 2006

They are ANYTHING but dirty, thats for sure. She is probably thinking of the "big bad" sewer rats which are different then domesticated rats, just tell her that. I've never actually owned rats but we've always had females at work and they were no more stinky then any other rodent, however I don't know about the males. The rats were probably the un-smelliest rodent we had in, actually.

snowyangel · Apr 29, 2006

Rats are intelligent and so affectionate believe it or not. My girls would always give me kisses and I've never been bitten by one. If she's worried about a smell(though there is non if you keep the cage clean, like with any rodent) i would go with females since males do have a slightly stronger urine smell and mark more often. But i hear males are more lazy(they sleep often) so you could probably hold them longer and females have more energy and are les slikely to stay in one spot. They are also VERY clean and neat. I trained my girls to go poo in one spot of their cage and constantly you would see them grooming eachother and themselves. Either way, you won't be disappointed. I've made many of my friends who don't like rats love them after meeting my girls. You can't judge something you've never had experience with.

Tempestuousfury · Apr 30, 2006

At the Petsmart I work at, we have sold all our rats (2 shipments, that is) within a few days of receiving them. they are adorable, easily tamed, don't bite, and unlike hammies, gerbils, etc., they actually stay still for long periods of time, and even enjoy riding on peole's shoulders or nesting in hair.

KathyM · Apr 30, 2006

demonmagus said:
Hi, are rats easy to handle (i am awful at taming!) because i may me given some and hopefully i will be able to hold them (they are tame already so ), also, I need some 'reasons' for being allowed to have 2, as my auntie (who decides everything), thinks they are dirty and smelly animals, so i need some help in my argument

thanks

If she asks why you have to have two, it's because they're social animals and keeping one alone with no reason is cruel. I would advise against getting an only rat, and if she sticks to her guns on that, you might have to consider not getting any. Let's hope she comes round to the idea!

The other thing you'll have fun getting in is a big cage (see link below for info), hammocks, etc etc. All the things to keep your ratties happy. They'll need at least 2 hours out of the cage a day (and rat proof a play area), so make sure you can plan that out time around anyone who doesn't like them.

For food, I would recommend the Shunamite diet - by far the best diet for ratties. It's kept mine nice and healthy.

http

/www.fancy-rats.co.uk/home/ - This site is cracking for advice (the forum can be iffy though *lol*). They also have a cage calculator to help you work out a suitable cage - you'll be surprised how much room ratties need, and most cages sold as rat cages aren't suitable at all.

http

/www.shunamiterats.co.uk/nutribreed.html - Info on the Shunamite diet (the book is called "The Scuttling Gourmet" if you decide you want to buy a copy). That site also has loads of info on rat care.

http

/www.shunamiterats.co.uk/thesg.html - Link with info about the book.

demonmagus · May 2, 2006

Unfortunately, my auntie will probably only let me have rats if I have a 'trial' period of 1-2 weeks, to prove I can look after them, :angry:

, and the problem is that she doesn't believe that anyone would take them off my hands if I fail (which I won't :good:

, but I need to have the option there so I can get them). This basically means that is there anyone here on this forum who would take them off me (she need the reassurance, because she hates rats, and thinks no-one would take them off me IF i fail). :sad:

Tangerinefizz · May 2, 2006

Rather then go that route, why don't you find someone you can "rat sit" for for a week or two? That way, you don't lose any money buying housing, bedding, food, water bowls, etc. etc. and then have issues when your Auntie says no way. I would try that first and foremost before I did anything else. And, it's nicer for the rats who won't end up homeless if your Auntie says forget it.

Just my two cents.

snowyangel · May 2, 2006

Check shelters and humane societies and ask to foster a rat. If you can't keep it no problem, its up for adoption for someone else. If you choose to keep it then adopt it yourself. Usually when you foster, the shelter pays all expense.