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Could someone list some downsides about keeping a rat as a pet? There must be something. But thus far the comments have made it sound like the ideal pet other t

Could someone list some downsides about keeping a rat as a pet? There must be something. But thus far the comments have made it sound like the ideal pet other than them dying in a few years. I’m thinking forward to when our daughter Kess is a little bit older (she’s almost two). It’d be nice to start her on something that she can actually take care of herself with supervision, without it being a family animal like a dog. I was thinking of some kind of lizard before this thread came along.

Modified3019 2y ago
Many people are outright allergic, which becomes especially apparent when getting little scratches from their nails. From what I understand, tumors seem to be common way for rats to die. Note these can often be confused with abscesses (which should be shown to a vet asap) They will leave little bits of wee everywhere (scent marking). Apparently female rats are preferable in this regard. Something to look into. That such a little creature with such a big personality only lives around 3 years will have an emotional toll. I know former owners that just can’t deal with the guaranteed loss anymore after such a short span.
mikelevins 2y ago
Honestly, the short lifespan is the main disadvantage. It's made worse by how intelligent and sweet they are. My daughter's rats hurled themselves at the sides of their cage when she woke up each morning, sticking their tiny hands out through the bars to clutch at her. When she did let them out they would run up her arms and sit on her shoulders licking her cheeks like tiny dogs. Cedric died at the expected age of a little over two years. Bosco lived unusually long, dying at about five years of age. You might want to consider what you know of your daughter's personality and how much of a trauma the rat's death is likely to be. My daughter was okay, but she was a young teen by the time Bosco died. One potential downside, depending on how fastidious you are: they constantly leave scent marks everywhere, by depositing tiny drops of urine and rubbing fatty secretions from their sides on things. The amounts are truly tiny, maybe too small for you to even notice, but probably better to know about it in advance in case it icks you out. I don't think I or my daughter ever noticed them at all, though I did know about them.
shawn_w 2y ago
The short life span is why I stopped keeping them as pets. They get sick a lot - respiratory issues, tumors, etc. Vet bills can add up. Finding a good vet comfortable with treating rats can be hard depending on where you are. Being rodents, they're always gnawing on things to wear down constantly growing teeth. Can be destructive to your stuff if you're not careful when they're out of the cage (wires, remotes, ear buds, clothing, furniture, etc.). Hides, hammocks, and other cage furniture and toys will steadily need replacement too. They're social animals and don't do well as solo pets. You want at the bare minimum two.
sivers 2y ago
Consider two pet mice instead. They're more portable. Kess could carry them in her pocket when going out to the playground and the mice are happy to stay in there. Get two girls because girl mice smell better and don't fight. My boy had three pet mice from age 6-9 and absolutely adored them. Took them everywhere out to play. To the beach, to friends' houses, to the playground, etc. And they're such a magnet for conversation. Everyone wants to come see and hold a pet mouse. They're so cute. Our mice lived to the old age of 3, and were very adored. Rats have more personality than mice but are less portable, so better to have in the house instead of out in the playground. Kind of like guinea pigs. (A common pet where I grew up.) And their little claws can unintentionally scratch and hurt. Clipping their nails would help but that's hard. If you get rats, get two boys, and have them castrated ASAP. I have two boy rats now and love them. To answer my biggest concern when I got them: they never ever bite. (Neither rats nor mice.)
- jraby3 2y ago
  Are the mice trained to use a litter as well? Or is that just the rats?
  - sivers 2y ago
    Just the rats. Mice can't help themselves. To keep them in your pocket, you'd want to keep a little towel in your pocket, and a couple little alcohol wipes handy for when they pee on someone's hand.
dmos62 2y ago
Short lifespan: 2-3 years in practice.

Modified3019 2y ago

Many people are outright allergic, which becomes especially apparent when getting little scratches from their nails. From what I understand, tumors seem to be common way for rats to die. Note these can often be confused with abscesses (which should be shown to a vet asap) They will leave little bits of wee everywhere (scent marking). Apparently female rats are preferable in this regard. Something to look into. That such a little creature with such a big personality only lives around 3 years will have an emotional toll. I know former owners that just can’t deal with the guaranteed loss anymore after such a short span.

mikelevins 2y ago

Honestly, the short lifespan is the main disadvantage. It's made worse by how intelligent and sweet they are. My daughter's rats hurled themselves at the sides of their cage when she woke up each morning, sticking their tiny hands out through the bars to clutch at her. When she did let them out they would run up her arms and sit on her shoulders licking her cheeks like tiny dogs. Cedric died at the expected age of a little over two years. Bosco lived unusually long, dying at about five years of age. You might want to consider what you know of your daughter's personality and how much of a trauma the rat's death is likely to be. My daughter was okay, but she was a young teen by the time Bosco died. One potential downside, depending on how fastidious you are: they constantly leave scent marks everywhere, by depositing tiny drops of urine and rubbing fatty secretions from their sides on things. The amounts are truly tiny, maybe too small for you to even notice, but probably better to know about it in advance in case it icks you out. I don't think I or my daughter ever noticed them at all, though I did know about them.

shawn_w 2y ago

The short life span is why I stopped keeping them as pets. They get sick a lot - respiratory issues, tumors, etc. Vet bills can add up. Finding a good vet comfortable with treating rats can be hard depending on where you are. Being rodents, they're always gnawing on things to wear down constantly growing teeth. Can be destructive to your stuff if you're not careful when they're out of the cage (wires, remotes, ear buds, clothing, furniture, etc.). Hides, hammocks, and other cage furniture and toys will steadily need replacement too. They're social animals and don't do well as solo pets. You want at the bare minimum two.

sivers 2y ago

Consider two pet mice instead. They're more portable. Kess could carry them in her pocket when going out to the playground and the mice are happy to stay in there. Get two girls because girl mice smell better and don't fight. My boy had three pet mice from age 6-9 and absolutely adored them. Took them everywhere out to play. To the beach, to friends' houses, to the playground, etc. And they're such a magnet for conversation. Everyone wants to come see and hold a pet mouse. They're so cute. Our mice lived to the old age of 3, and were very adored. Rats have more personality than mice but are less portable, so better to have in the house instead of out in the playground. Kind of like guinea pigs. (A common pet where I grew up.) And their little claws can unintentionally scratch and hurt. Clipping their nails would help but that's hard. If you get rats, get two boys, and have them castrated ASAP. I have two boy rats now and love them. To answer my biggest concern when I got them: they never ever bite. (Neither rats nor mice.)

jraby3 2y ago
Are the mice trained to use a litter as well? Or is that just the rats?
- sivers 2y ago
  Just the rats. Mice can't help themselves. To keep them in your pocket, you'd want to keep a little towel in your pocket, and a couple little alcohol wipes handy for when they pee on someone's hand.

dmos62 2y ago

Short lifespan: 2-3 years in practice.