PET rats... any keep these guys as "pets" and not just feeders?

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kittyhazelton

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jan 25, 2007
693
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Upper Valley VT/NH
I picked up a live rat the other day to attempt to feed a picky new arrival that we received as a rescue. Now, this rat isn't like the usual white/pink eyed "feeders" I have picked up in the past, as far as I can tell it's a Hooded rat and he is very friendly and tame, doesn't mind being picked up at all, and quite frankly is very cute (rats and mice aren't usually my thing)
Now, I can't bear to sacrifice him to snake food as I feel like this guy may have been someones pet that was dropped off at the store (I have known this place in the past to take in people's pet rats and resell them as feeders)
Any suggestions on housing/care? I have a few breeding mice who I care for under basic needs (since well, these guys are "feeders" and not "pets") but I want to give this little rat a good home as a "pet"
What size cage should I put him in? I have a small bird cage that's about 18X18X18, would that work?
 
My brother used to have some when we were younger. He kept them In a 29 gallon aquarium with a wheel, water bottle and food dish with some bedding they sell at any pet stores. Also his were very good climbers/jumpers and would escape if the lid wasnt weighted down. They were great pets. They would beg to be picked up when you walked by the cage and loved to sit on your shoulder and would lick your ear. Make sure to change the bedding frequently because their cages get very dirty/smelly very quickly
 
i haven't kept any myself but when ever customers come in looking to buy a mouse or a hamster for a kid, i always recommended getting a rat instead because i believe they make much better pets, they much less delicate than mice and a lot less grouchy than hamsters. they are pretty smart too
 
I kind of want one....my wife would NEVER go for it:ROFL:
 
I keep my two young rats in a 20x20x20 bird cage and they love it, I bought two levels and a ladder for them along with making various hammocks for them
they love it all, from what i know they love the multi level cages and hammocks along with tubes
Im not sure on wheels, my guys never used theirs
also on food I would try to get mazuri rodent blacks along with a lot of fresh food so various veggies, fruits, pasta all that good stuff

good luck!
 
Same thing happened to me a while ago. I would say an 18x18x18 would sufice if it has multiple floors. You may want to get him/her a friend, because they do have a lot of time on their hands and like a companion. They do make amazing pets, and are very interactive.
 
nope. i only keep frozen ones. A lot of them.

But I say go for it. He does not deserve to die, now.
 
rats actually make really great pets. i have a few and they are very interactive and love their owners. i think its kinda ironic people feed a smarter more sociable animal to their reptiles, not that i'm against it, circle of life and all. the cage you have will be perfect, if you don't want to clean the cage weekly putting some carbon in the substrate will keep the smell down.

the more you hold him and have him out the more loving the become. put him on your shoulder when your walking around the house and they become very good at balancing and will goo straight to your shoulder as soon as you open the cage.

enjoy your new pet :)
 
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