Rats Make Great Pets!
I created this lens because I thought Squidoo needs a good rat info lens, to educate the public about the amazing creatures who have a horrible rap for no reason.
This may come as a surprise to many people, but rats actually make fantastic pets! They are lots of fun and interactive (both with humans and other rats), and much like little dogs that live in cages (and have much longer tails!). They're extremely intelligent, and very loyal to their humans.
If you're not a rat-lover yourself, I bet most everything you think you know about rats is untrue! Read on for TRUE information about these wonderful animals. Maybe a pair (or more) of ratties is in your future. :)
The Wonderful World Of Rats
For Lovers And Newbies, Alike
For rat owners...We know what it means to adore these wonderful creatures. Each one different, like humans! Each one finds their place in our hearts. Though their lives may not be as long as we'd like them to be (ever!), we enjoy each and every second they are with us. Their sweet faces, trusting nature, and playful nature tug at our heartstrings. You know what I mean about those faces, pressed up against the cage bars, begging for love, right? I think they learn that in Rat School. ;)
For the curious...
Rats really do make wonderful pets. For those who are not owners, I beg you to hold a rat and not fall in love with it. If you like dogs, you will like rats, no doubt. They are actually like little dogs that live in cages (unless you want to have free-range rats!). Rats have such a bad rap, with so many myths and misconceptions that simply are not true! Read on...
Rat Myths
It Just Simply Isn't True!
- Rats spread the bubonic plague.
Nope! Fleas did. They were carried on the fur of rats... Along with dogs and cats and other animals. It was the fleas, not the rats, that spread the plague. - Rats are dirty and carry disease.
Not pet rats! Watch a rat sometime... You will see that they are a bit compulsive when it comes to keeping themselves clean! They groom themselves often, and help each other with those hard-to-reach spots, too. (This is just one of MANY reasons why having more than one rat is very important!) - All rats bite and are dangerous.
Quite untrue! A well-socialized rat is downright friendly and will probably never bite. Rats need to be socialized as babies, just like other rodents. They love to be with humans, and many enjoy sitting on a person's shoulder or cuddling up in hoodies or sleeves. Even as a rat rescuer, I very rarely encounter rats that do bite, and those that do are often rats that we rescue from abusive or neglectful conditions. We HAVE rehabbed rats, it can be done! - Rats aren't too smart.
Quite the opposite. Rats are very smart, and very curious. They can be taught tricks and many learn their names. They are amazing at knowing how to pull at their owner's heartstrings! They remember things, and love to explore and figure everything out. They can solve "puzzles" (bird toys and whatnot).
Rat Swag
Makes Great Gifts
Fantastic (And Cheap) Toys For Rats
Generally... The Cheaper, The Better!
These are just a few ideas. Look around, and you'll find all sorts of goodies lying around the house that will work. Also, check dollar stores often!
- Paper towel or toilet paper tubes, stuffed with treats and folded on the sides.
- Bird toys - wooden are best. Better yet, make your own!
- Dryer tube or PVC piping. Cheap alternative to ferret tunnels!
- Small balls - cat balls (especially with bells inside), mini wiffle balls, ping pong balls, etc!
- Boxes! Collect all sorts of boxes. Put some holes in them, tape them together into a maze, etc. Rats LOVE boxes.
- Ratties love paper! Shred some paper for them to play with, nest with, etc.
- Branches are fun and great for the teeth. apple or willow branches are the best. Make sure all wood is untreated!
- Kid's toys are fantastic... Dollhouses and whatnot are the perfect size for rats.
- You! Lay down and let your rats explore you. Or, chase them with a hand and let them chase you back.
- The best thing for rats is other rats! :D
Rat-Related On Amazon
Rat goodies on Amazon
Training Your Pet Rat (Training Your Pet Series)
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 07/04/2009) 
List Price: $9.99
Oh Rats! The Story of Rats and People
Amazon Price: $12.74 (as of 07/04/2009)
List Price: $16.99
Rats: Complete Care Guide
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/04/2009)
List Price: $9.95
One is never enough!
Answer This, Please!
Rats can be addicting, that's for sure. Let us know how many furkids you've got.
Good Deals
Shop eBay For Rattie Items
Shop for your rats and get good deals at the same time. I swear by eBay!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Please Rescue!
When looking for rats (or any animals) as pets, please consider rescuing instead of buying. There are rats (and all kinds of pets) waiting for homes in shelters and rescues across the world. By supporting rescue, you're allowing our work to continue!
Be sure to check out Petfinder to find the perfect friend(s) for you.
Favorite Cage Amoung Rat Lovers
So many of us can't get enough of this cage!
Midwest 142 Ferret Nation Double-Level Ferret Cage with Ramps
Amazon Price: $199.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
List Price: $299.99
It's made for Ferrets, but works for rats (smaller rats will need a modification of hardware wire, but it's worth it - a "rat version" of this cage IS in the works!). It's, by FAR, the easiest cage to clean. You will LOVE this cage! Each "section" (spotlighted is the cage with 2 "sections") can hold 6 rats! That's 12 for this specific model. WOW!
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At Least 2!
Rats are VERY social creatures. They really need the companionship of at least one other rat. Rats without friends can become depressed and lonely. They can stop eating, or even die (seriously). Beyond that, having more than one rat makes things more fun for you, too!
Having 2 rats is no more work than having one.
Talk About Your Furkids!
Here's Your Chance... Take It!
Here's your chance to babble on about your ratties. Many owners find that some people just don't understand why we love to chat rat. Talk to us, instead.
Share how many you have, how long you've had rats, if you have boys, girls or both. Tell us a funny story about your silly rats. Anything (rat-related) goes!
gorywill wrote
I love what you are doing here! Thank you so much! Noe many people know how sweet rats really are and how many don't have good homes. Thanks once more
- Brandy
Posted December 03, 2008
J_Mac wrote...
I have been looking for people who love Rats as much as I do to Join My Group. I would love to add your lens!
http://www.squidoo.com/group/create_lens/OurRattieFriends/57b3bb746fe516b3ce55d72b9f6ee00c
I love your Lens it's wonderful
Posted November 20, 2008
jcckid
I love rats. I recently bought two rats and I love to play with them!
Posted November 02, 2008
The_Homeopath wrote...
I adore rats. They are the sweetest and friendliest furr babies! Right now, the only "little" one we have is a ferret, though. She's my little princess.
Posted September 30, 2008
I have two female Fancy Rats.. they're both surprisingly extremely territorial and possessive over both myself and each other.. they're slightly aggressive towards anyone other than myself trying to reach into their cage.. but sometimes they're together and sometimes it seems as though I may need to separate them.. it's like they encourage aggressive behavior in each other.. should I get them a bigger cage to reduce their time spent in one area or separate them completely? I'm quite unsure how to go about this whole thing.. I stopped knowing how to deal with it when they got aggressive when other people tried to reach into their cage.. if you could help me that would be very appreciated
Posted July 07, 2008
Videos Of Rats
You'll Never Tire Of Watching These
Žiurka / My pet rat Rattie
Pet rat giving birth
Pet rats take a shower
An example of what a pet rat c...
Pet rat jumps into Christmas p...
my rat blackie
Here's my favorite link:
Rats Elsewhere Online
Where To Go Now?
- Rat Info Packet
- The BEST site for learning all you can about rats.
- The Dapper Rat
- One of the BEST sites about rats. They take such wonderful rat photos as well.
- Scamperats Scamper Art
- Art... by rats. Yes, that's right... Rattie paintings. Too cool!
- Raticons by Angelrat Designs
- Free rat graphics. These are too cute!
- Rats Rule
- A huge resource for all things rats, by none other then the infamous Suebee.
- Ratty Corner
- "In Celebration of Rats as Pets". Lots of great information here.
- Better Holes and Garbage
- LOL, great site. "Your Rat Housekeeping Resource", they say!
- Fancy Rats
- Huge site all about rats. Has a community, tons of information, and more.
Ratatouille Goodies
Our favorite rat movie!
Ratatouille
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Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
List Price: $29.99
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LeapFrog® Leapster® Learning Game: Ratatouille
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Amazon Price: $20.59 (as of 07/04/2009)
List Price: $24.99
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The Art of Ratatouille
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Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 07/04/2009)
List Price: $40.00
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![Ratatouille [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Tp6D%2BoyRL._SL75_.jpg)
Ratatouille [Blu-ray]
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Amazon Price: $22.49 (as of 07/04/2009)
List Price: $34.99
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Ratatouille (Spanish Version)
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Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
List Price: $29.99
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