pet rats

What are your views on pet rats? :B

 

I wouldn't get one personally but my roommate awhile back had one and it was chill. Most rats they sell at like Petco only live a couple years so it's not something I would get too attached to.

You can breed them fairly easily tho, if you were so inclined.

 

wonder whatever happened to pressed_rat

 

He got raided and captured by the Illuminati. They're probably using his blood cells to help make poison gasses to pump into the skies in streaks which are cleverly disguised as contrails right now, and torturing him by making him take small sips of fluoridated water.

 

As long as you don't have any ratish features to your face it's okay. But otherwise it's really creepy. Like Willard.

 

I had a pet rat 12 years ago which lived on me, I let it go be free one day...

 

I have plenty of mice in my basement I could send you...still in the rodent family but cuter than rats and I know they like bread, as they break into my cabinets and eat all mine! And I'll even give them to you for FREE!!

 

i dont mind PET rats.. cause theyre clean... its the wild ones i dont like!!

 

I have been keeping rats for 7 years. They are awesome pets and you realize they are amazing and intelligent creatures with individual complex personalities once you dissolve your stereotypes and preconceived notions about them... but adopt, don't buy them from a pet store.

ETA: I think a lot of people unfortunately view them as "semi-disposable" pets, as in "oh well, it's just a rat, I'm not fuckin' taking it to the vet." Which is wrong, they are every bit as sentient and capable of suffering from pain and sickness as a dog. They are not like hamsters or mice (not that they don't deserve proper care), they are much more intelligent and conscious of the world around them. I also don't recommend them for children. To properly care for rats and give them a good home and happy life actually involves quite a bit of money and work. Don't plan to get any if you're not ready for an investment like that. On the other hand, they do only live for 2-3 years max so it's not like a lifetime commitment if you decide they are not right for you. Rats are social creatures and need to be kept in at least pairs, never get just an individual unless it has behavioral problems and needs to be isolated its whole life for its own safety and the safety of other rats.

 

i'm indifferent. i wouldn't buy one, but i'm sure it would be cool to have one around.

discussing this subject violates forum guidelines.

 

They don't live long enough for my taste and the fact so many of them get brain tumors and such is terribly depressing.

 

Meh. I wouldn't keep vermin as pets, but you feel free.

 

Rats are great!

I'm more of a guinea pig person but I'd love to have some rats

 

I like 'em, I guess. They reproduce like mofos though, so be careful...

 

Either that or he actually went on a date with a real girl and suddenly realized there’s more to life than exposing the hidden secrets and dirty tricks of the rich and powerful



Hotwater

 

I don't know if I'd want to have one as a pet, but one of my best friend's had one. They're cool, pretty smart too and have distinctive personalities. The only problem is that they can get diseases and sicknesses, some of which are transferrable to humans. Like ringworm. My buddy actually contracted ringworm from his rat... even thought he says he got it from some leaf in the woods. My ass, he got told his rat had ringworm. He was on some special medication too last summer, which ants got into somehow or another... That rat, "Squeebs" (awesome name right? lol) is a pretty cool little character, but I think he's coming to the end of his days here.

You're choice, rat's are pretty cool, just make sure to take proper care for it and take it in to the vet or PetSmart for regular check-ups.

 

yup, good advice here :2thumbsup: i used to keep rats and they were lovely creatures but i have developed a severe allergy to them so i can't keep them anymore...

 

Hotwater

 

they are pretty cute but if I were to get one I'd get a female because with the males their giant nutsacks are silly lol

 

that was the reason I named my male rat Zeus...