- gee.:
- Gah, this thead makes me want one so much more than I already did.
I'd always heard they made great pets and always thought they were cute, but my friends always told me I was weird for it. My mom isn't to keen on the idea either. 
Maybe since I'm older now I can talk her into letting me get one.
How expensive are they usually?
Where is the best place to buy one?
How big do they get?
What do they eat, sleep in, etc.?
Do they bite?
Two rats are about around 20 dollars a month, I'd say. That's consistent cost. Initial set up cost varies, especially on what kind of cage you get. You need a water bottle, a ceramic food bowl, bedding- I recommend CareFresh or CellSorb Plus. Aspen gets kicked out of the cage easily, and isn't very comfortable for them. Cedar and pine give off oils that harm their delicate respiratory systems; it's the same with every rodent, as well as ferrets.
You need a cage, toys, hidey houses (you can use rodent igloos). They tend not to like rolley balls, such as the ones hamsters use. Rats adore hammocks, and you can make your own cheaper than what you can buy them for. Buy some clearence fleece from a fabric store and cut a 9x18 piece. Fold it in half, so it's 9x9 and poke holes in each corner. Put metal curtain holders through the holes and hang them on the cage wires. It will be their favorite place to be. :mrgreen:
It is recommended that you don't get one from a petstore, as they are not handled and can be gard to tame. They're often sick with mites or an upper respiratory infection. A lot of them are inbred, leading to health problems and shorter lifespans that even a healthy rat would have, which is generally only two years. Petstore employees are not properly informed about how to care or handle rats, therefore they often spread false information to customers. The rats are sold to snake owners a lot of the time, as well. They're mistreated by staff and never given a fair shot, so by buying from the store, you're only allowing them to continue their practices. It's best to get them from a reputable breeder or a rescue. Be sure to do your research so you know how to stop error.
Depending on family lines, age, diet, and whether they're male or female, size can vary, but they're usually around 12 inches, nose to the tip of their tail. Males tend to be bigger and bulkier than females, as they have a different body structure.
Rats are omnivores, and should get meat in their diet. Scrambles eggs and cooked, unseasoned meat are good. They should get fruit and vegetable and all commercial "rat food", commonly sold in stores should be avoided. It's not proper nor complete nutrition, and all the preservatives and additives (i.e. artifial colors, etc) has been linked to cancer and weak immune systems.
A good source of information is www.ratsrule.com. If you're curious or interested in rats, or know anyone who is, please give them that site. There is a forum dedicated to rats, where there's information on housing, diet, taming, training, etc. It's a lovely compiliation.
If handled properly and given patience, rats do not bite. A lot of times, rats from petstores will bite when you first get them, because they're not used to being handled and are scared, which is understandle. They most always come around and learn that humans are great companions. However, if you get a a pair of rats from a breeder or from a rescue, their temperments are better and they're more affectionate. I've noticed petstore rats, no matter how much improvement they make over time, they aren't as affectionate as rats that are handled from birth. Rats from reputable breeders are very loving and crave attention from the very start, as well as have good family lines and good lifespans because they're more healthy than petstore rats.
Good breeders will have an application and only adopt out two or more rats together, unless you have proof of other rats in your house and they are healthy. This is because rats are very social animals, living in colonies of one hundred or more in the wild. Unless you're going to curl up in the cage with them, lick them, and learn to speak rat, you're not enough, no matter how much time you spend with them. Having single rats is detrimental to their health. They can become neurotical, aggressive, depressed, and harm themselves. Their lifespans are noticably shorter and their mental and physical health are lower.
Be sure to look for an exotic vet in your area, as well as check their experience with rats. Ask how many they see over a six month span of time, as well as how many surgeries they've done. A lot of vets, even that do see rats, dub them as "just rats". If you're one of those people or can't find a vet that honestly cares for them, rats are not for you. If you won't treat them as you would a cat or dog, you should rethink owning them.
