Rats Make Great Pets!
Hi there. My name is Kimberly, and I am a rat-o-holic. :) I am the co-founder of Rattie Love Rescue in Cincinnati, OH. We take in pet rats that need homes (other small animals, too, sometimes) and re-home them. (Rattie Love Rescue is no longer, sadly, but our message and love for rats continues!). Yes, many are shocked to hear... There are many rat-rescues across the US and world!
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 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...
Wikipedia on Rats
All About Fancy Rats!
The fancy rat is a domesticated brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), which is the most common type of pet rat. The name fancy rat derives from the idea of animal fancy or the phrase, "to fancy" (to like, or appreciate).
Fancy rats have their origins as the targets for blood sport in 18th and 19th century Europe. Specially bred as pets since then, fancy ra...
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. To say that rats were the cause, you'd have to say dogs, cats and other animals were as well. - 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!) Now, male rats DO sometimes "marinate" in pee, but if you keep their cages clean (and you should keep ALL rat cages clean!), there's no problem. ;) - 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 (and humans, for that matter!). 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 with a lot of patience! If you are a newbie to rats and are afraid of being bitten, I suggest going with a well-known and respected rat breeder, or a rescue with babies - both will have the experience and will have well-socialized babies (or, retired breeders or very sweet rescued rats!). Pet stores are a gamble. - 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 very easily figure out how to play games with humans. They are amazing at knowing how to pull at their owner's heartstrings! They remember with good memories, and love to explore and figure everything out. They are so curious, as any rat lover will tell you - they'll get into things if you let them! They can solve "puzzles" (bird toys and whatnot) with relative ease. If that's not smart, I don't know what is!
The NEW Best Rat Cage Ever
Like the FN, only rattie-bars!
Midwest Critter Nation Animal Habitat with Stand, Double Unit
Amazon Price: $247.70 (as of 12/07/2009)
List Price: $349.99
We used to LOVE the Ferret Nation, deciding it was the best cage for rats. Well, Midwest went a step beyond the wonderful FN and now have the Critter Nation. It's much like the FN, but the CN has SMALLER BAR SPACING! Yay! We got one and LOVE IT! The FN was great, but little girl rats and babies could get out through the bars. Not a problem with the CN! Get it!
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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. They love chewing up the tubes to get to the goodies!
- Bird toys - wooden are best. Better yet, make your own! We've done this and it's lots of fun, using hemp rope, pre-drilled parts for bird toys, tissue paper (a HUGE hit!) and more!
- Dryer tube or PVC piping. Cheap alternative to ferret tunnels! You can also get the SuperPet brand plastic funnels.
- 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. They'll chew em up, play and sleep in them until they collapse.
- Ratties love paper! Shred some paper for them to play with, nest with, etc. Try tissue paper for extra fun, or toss in some balled-up newspaper (with safe dyes), they'll love it!
- Branches are fun and great for the teeth. apple or willow branches are the best. Make sure all wood is untreated, or buy some in the pet department.
- Kid's toys are fantastic... Dollhouses and whatnot are the perfect size for rats. Go crazy at the thrift store, you'll find a lot of fantastic, used things in the baby and kid sections. Also check the dollar store for gems!
- You! Lay down and let your rats explore you. Or, chase them with a hand and let them chase you back. Another fun game is to put a blanket over you, with the ratties underneath. Blankets make things more fun and make skittish rats feel safer!
- The best thing for rats is other rats! :D Always, always have at least 2 rats!
Favorite Cage Amoung Rat Lovers
So many of us can't get enough of this cage!
EDIT - Midwest outdid themselves, making a RAT-FRIENDLY version of the Ferret Nation - see above! The FN is still good if you've got chunky-monkey boy rats, though!
Midwest Critter Nation Animal Habitat with Stand, Double Unit
Amazon Price: $247.70 (as of 12/08/2009)
List Price: $349.99
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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One is never enough!
Answer This, Please!
Rats can be addicting, that's for sure. Let us know how many furkids you've got.
Pet Rats on CafePress
Get Some Rat-Themed Goodies
Aimee's rats nest Cap
Super cute and fun rat portraits. Show people how loving and cute a rat can be.
2010 Rats Rule Wall Calendar
All the photos in this calendar were submitted by members of the Rats Rule community at Goosemoose.com, and voted on by members. All proceeds will go to supporting the operating costs of the forum.
More People/Pet Rat Bumper Sticker (50pk)
The more people I meet, the more I like my pet rat. What could be more true. Your pet or fancy rat is your buddy. Let everyone know how you feel about them and your rodent companion.
Rat Speak
What's that mean?
GGMR
Gotta Get More Rats
GGMC
Gotta Get More Cages
Ritten
A baby rat.
Pinkie
A newborn rat without hair.
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.
Rattie Supplies @ Amazon
Get 'em cheap!
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.
Videos Of Rats
You'll Never Tire Of Watching These
Pet rat giving birth
An example of what a pet rat c...
Pet rats - quick tricks to tea...
My Very Cute Pet Ratty Rat Rat...
Pet Rats - Guide to Easy Pet R...
Pet Rats Jumping & Playing
Rat-Related Books
Rattie reading from Amazon
Training Your Pet Rat (Training Your Pet Series)
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/07/2009)
List Price: $9.99
Oh Rats! The Story of Rats and People
Amazon Price: $12.74 (as of 12/07/2009)
List Price: $16.99
Rats: Complete Care Guide
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/07/2009)
List Price: $9.95
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.
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!
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Reply
- Anne Berk Anne Berk Nov 26, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
- Please help.. I love my ratties so much.I have 9 ( 4 fems and 5 boys) and I have to find a loving home for them asap. I have a family crisis and cannot be home to care for them. It breaks my heart :( Can someone tell me if there is a Rattie nursery or anyone who would be able to provide loving home..I have two cages. They are 2 to 2/1/2 years old and too cute. Any help would be so appreciated. Thanks, Anne- Toronto, Ontario, Canada (my email: meowzer4u@hotmail.com). :)
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Reply
- Richard Walton Richard Walton Sep 20, 2009 @ 10:08 am
- I have kept rats for 15 years and Im only 33, Ive had many rats over the years and loved them all, sadly they dont live long enough, if I could, Id put a zero on the end of there lifespan. Ive had both male and female and love them both, I had many cages, my cage at the moment is a ferplast tower with holds four females. I have so much information and help that goes to waste and if anyone has any questions then please email me at walton10@hotmail.com and I will be gld to help. So many people give you the wrong information.
Once you have rats you will likely have them for the rest of your life.
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Reply
- sandy sandy Aug 31, 2009 @ 6:56 pm
- I have three rats and yes I am totally addicted. I converted my boyfriend when we first met he could not believe I wanted a rat. They are the most loving creatures I have ever seen. I have Little Girl who is the oldest at almost a year and a half and two newbies Little Bit and Whipcream about 2 months. Each has its own distinct personality. I get up early each morning to give them a couple hours out before I go to work its almost like having toddlers in the house you have to pay a lot of attention to them they do love to play especially Whipcream.I let them out as soon as I get home and they are out for a about two hours so they are really spoiled. I have found my self sitting here at work today and really missing them I cant wait to get home and play with them. Most people would think I am crazy but I dont think people in this group will. Well heading home to see the babies. I am glad I found your site. Sandy
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Reply
- susb8383 susb8383 Jul 9, 2009 @ 7:39 pm
- Never been on squidoo before today. Decided to create an account and the first thing I searched for was people who love rats. My 5 are out playing right now on in their 'playground' and having a great time.
You're right; rats are one of the greatest pets. I started my love of rats when two PEWs came to my house. How they ended up outside I'll never know, but they were so friendly and trusting of someone they had never met before that I'm pretty sure I'll always have rats. I'm on my second set right now: Jynx and Sebastian (father and son beige hooded from Mainely Rat Rescue), Comet, Haley, and Luna (sister himalayans I got from the Boston MSPCA).
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Reply
- gorywill gorywill Dec 3, 2008 @ 2:02 am
- 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
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Reply
- J_Mac J_Mac Nov 20, 2008 @ 6:56 pm
- 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
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Ratatouille Goodies
Our favorite rat movie!
Ratatouille
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Ratatouille [Blu-ray]
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Ratatouille (Spanish Version)
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Cars [Blu-ray]
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Wall-E (Single-Disc Edition)
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