[img]http://michaelnorthrop.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/PetRat.jpg[/img]
Rats are perhaps the most misunderstood and misconstrued small animal you can own. People find them repulsive, filthy, diseased, or even scary. In reality, they are cuddly, intelligent, adorable, full of personality, and possibly some of the most heart-warming and loving pets to have.
Before I go in depth about the lovable critters, I am going to clear the air of some common misconceptions.
[b]Common opinions:[/b]
[list][*]Rats are diseased
[*]Rats are filthy
[*]Rats will bite you
[*]Rats will shit/piss everywhere
[*]Rats are mindless eating machines
[*]Rats are dumb
[*]Rats have ugly pink tails[/list]
[b]Rats are diseased[/b]
No. This one is easy to understand. People develop an idea of rats being sewer-dwelling corpse-eating scavengers that wallow around in feces and filth, feasting on rotten waste and garbage. This, however, roots mostly in movies and television. [i]Wild[/i] rats are VERY different from domesticated "fancy" rats. As long as you do not expose your rats to toxic chemicals, dense bacteria, or dead bodies, they will be no more diseased than a dog or cat. They may, however, suffer from several health issues which I will explain later.
[b]Rats are filthy[/b]
No. Using the previous example, rats are perceived to live in decrepit environments full of filth and disease. Fancy rats, especially the females, are however the cleanest of rodents. When your rat isn't busy nibbling on some yummies, climbing around on your shoulders, or dangling from a bookshelf it thought it could climb, you will more than likely find it cleaning every nook and cranny of its being. If you have more than one, they will often clean themselves and then each other. It's almost ritualistic how often they clean themselves.
[b]Rats will bite you[/b]
No. Rats who are very young do not yet have a concept of inflicting pain or deciding what is food and what isn't. For this reason, a rat in its youth may mistake your finger for a yummy treat and give you a nibble. However, it is extremely easy to train them to stop this behavior. Also, when a rat nips you out of curiosity or mistake, it won't be forceful enough to break the skin or cause you pain. [b]Note:[/b] Like any animal, if you abuse your rat or cause it to feel that it is in serious danger, it [i]will[/i] defend itself or attempt to escape. Don't menace your rat, and it will not bite you. Once your rat gets to know you and bond with you, its fear of you will vanish, making it very uncommon for instances like this to occur. [b]Another Note:[/b] If your rat becomes ill, it is best that you contact a veterinarian and refrain from handling it. Illness can mentally incapacitate your rat, putting you at risk of being bitten, sometimes quite severely.
[b]Rats will shit/piss everywhere[/b]
No. A young rat, or one that has just been introduced to a new home, will be naturally scared and nervous around people. When a rat is nervous, it may evacuate. This is only temporary, and can be avoided by always holding the rat with [i]two[/i] hands, and not giving it any reason to be apprehensive. Rats can also be potty trained. When I let my rats run freely around my room, they always walk themselves back to their cage and do their business in the litter box. I have yet to find any droppings outside of their cage. Rats do like to mark their territory with a drop or two of urine. This is juvenile behavior though, and will decrease in frequency with age. Also, this territorial marking has no scent that humans can smell.
[b]Rats are mindless eating machines[/b]
No. Rats LOVE to eat. They are capable of consuming a variety of foods, and will taste almost everything. However, you are not at risk of losing your clothing, wiring, or other belongings. Now, that is not to say you shouldn't keep an eye on your rats. They may develop chewing habits that can cause damage to the aforementioned belongings, making it extremely important that you strictly enforce "no-no" areas if your rats exhibit destructive chewing behavior.
[b]Rats are dumb[/b]
No, no, no! Rats are incredibly intelligent. They can be trained to do a huge variety of tricks, they are logical thinkers, and they have complex emotions. For these reasons, they are very expressive and full of character. Even if all your rats are identical, it will be easy to tell them apart simply by their unique personalities. Rats will also learn their name very quickly, opening the door to begin training them to come to you when called.
[b]Rats have ugly pink tails[/b]
Yes. Wild rats often fight each other and damage their tails, causing the skin to be scarred and pinkish. As long as you don't pick up your rat by its tail or allow it to be damaged some other way, it will be either light brown or dark brown depending on the color of your rat. You'll begin to love everything about your rat, including it's adorable tail, within a few hours of owning it.
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[b]Section 1: Before You Buy Your Rat[/b]
=============================
All future rat-owners should carefully read through the following before making the purchase.
[b]Make sure you are really ready to make the commitment[/b]
Don't get me wrong, rats are relatively low-maintenance compared to other critters, but they still need lots of love and attention. If you don't think you can dedicate an hour a day to your fluffy companions, then you should consider a less playful animal that doesn't care as much about bonding time.
[b]Purchase supplies[/b]
If you want to have happy, healthy, comfortable rats, they are going to need a few supplies. As time goes on, you should add toys and other additions to their cage, but this isn't necessary at first.
[b]Supplies:[/b]
[list][*]A decent-sized cage, at least 12" x 8" x 18"
The smaller the cage, the more imperative it is that you exercise them daily. The cage I have is about the size of a refrigerator with the stand. It cost me $130 but is a good size if you have 2 or more full-grown rats.
[*]Bedding (Avoid aspen, cedar, or other dusty beddings)
For awhile, I used "CareFRESH" bedding. It was good for containing odors and keeping the cage clean, but the dust made my girls sneeze quite a bit. Now I use this stuff called "Eco-Bedding" which is basically crinkly strips of deodorizing paper. I find that it works very well and doesn't make my rats cough or sneeze. You can find it at PetSmart.
[*]Food (Kaytee "Forti-Diet" is great. [b]Note:[/b] Avoid seed mixes!)
[*][i]Glass[/i] water bottle for small animals (Plastic contains toxins)
[/list]
[b]Do your research[/b]
This thread may be a good place to start, but you should further your reading on other websites and in pamphlets at pet stores.
==============================
[b]Section 2: Buying a Rat[/b]
==============================
[b]Trust your source[/b]
While rats are easy to find at pet stores like Petco and PetSmart, I would recommend you find an experienced breeder. You can google small animal shops in your area.
The following are warning signs of an inexperienced breeder:
[list][*]Water is extremely low or empty
[*]Food bowl is soiled/unclean
[*]Bedding is soiled or covered in feces
[*]Rats have shaggy coats
[*]Rats look unhealthy
[*][b]VERY BAD:[/b] Females are caged together with males[/list]
As long as there are no red flags when you go to pick out your rat, you are at a low risk of purchasing an unhealthy one.
[b]Which gender is right for you?[/b]
Female rats are the most common. They are much more active than males, and don't grow as large. Females smell like tortillas, and males have more of a musty smell. Males also have a prominent testicular sac, but the skin connecting it to the underside keeps it away from the ground and feet. It instead stays just underneath the base of the tail. Females tend to have more of a personality due to their more active nature, but males are much more cuddly. For this reason, males are often described as "lap rats", as they'd rather fall asleep next to you than explore the far reaches of your room. Female rats are prone to mammory tumors as well.
[img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/comparison5.png[/img]
You should never house females and males in the same cage. They most likely will not get along well living together, and dealing with a pregnant female requires a vast set of new skills. Raising a litter of infant rats requires more work than you could imagine. It's generally just a bad idea to take this risk. However, male and female rats can still run around together and get along just fine during playtime.
For a first rat, neither is really better than the other. I prefer females because of how active and entertaining they are, but I love cuddling with male rats as well. It's really up to you to decide which is a better fit for your personality.
[b]Which variety is right for you?[/b]
There's a lot of varieties of rats, but usually the difference does not extend past color. The most drastically different breeds are Rex and Dumbo rats, which you will see examples of below.
[b]Standard[/b]
[img]http://www.northern-lights-rats.co.uk/images/rupert.jpg[/img]
[b]Satin[/b]
[img]http://www.freewebs.com/crickust/satin.jpg[/img]
[b]Rex[/b]
[img]http://www.afrma.org/breedimg/rexrt2scx2.jpg[/img]
[b]Tailless[/b]
[img]http://www.ratspacnw.org/images/tailless.jpg[/img]
[b]Dumbo[/b]
[img]http://www.itsmymarket.com/images/photos/14358.jpg[/img]
[b]Hairless[/b]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Hairless_rat_Lhassa.jpg[/img]
In addition to being of a specific variety, each variety can come in many colors. However, what you will find in many pet stores is the standard black and white hooded rat that you see as the first example above. Look around long enough and you never know what kinds of rats you will find in stores. A good breeder may have a selection of varieties.
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[b]Section 3: Taking Care of Your Rat[/b]
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[b]Give your rats attention[/b]
Rats love attention. You should play with your rate [i]every[/i] day, making sure he or she feels loved and cared for. You don't want your rat getting depressed. If you are going to let he or she run freely around your room, make sure to keep a close eye and observe the areas your rat likes the most. This will make it easier to find them if they don't scamper to you when called. Also, thoroughly examine your room for dangers to your rat. Keep track of any exposed wires and check for chewing every once in awhile, and make sure there are no escape routes. The last thing you want is your rat escaping the confines of your room into the rest of the house.
[b]Rats love yummy treats![/b]
While a rats diet should consist mostly of their nutritiously balanced lab blocks, you should treat them to fruits and vegetables or store-bought treats. This is also great incentive when teaching your rat tricks!
[b]Change their bedding often[/b]
If the cage starts to get stinky or more than a week has passed, it's time to empty out the bedding and replace it.
[b]Bathe your rats[/b]
Every couple of weeks, it's not a bad idea to take them to your sink and gently splash them with some warm water. You should use baby shampoo as a soap, because hand soap is too harsh on their skin. Keep the soap and water away from their eyes and ears as well.
[b]Give your rat a companion![/b] :siren:
Rats absolutely LOVE having a pal to cuddle up with on cold days or to wrestle with when they're feeling energetic. It's never a good idea to allow your rat to go too long without a friend. He or she may be happy to have you during playtime, but be lonely when it's time to go back to the cage.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDy3bMRuobE[/media]
[b]Provide them with lots of toys and amenities[/b]
This can be a gradual process. As long as they have sufficient entertainment when they are in their cage, you will have happy and healthy rats. Be sure to give them a few ladders, some ropes, ledges to sit on, places to hide, and a hammock to sleep in. The following are examples of fun rat cages.
[img_thumb]http://www.lauraspetportraits.co.uk/blog-pics/cage1.jpg[/img_thumb][img_thumb]http://www.ruthless.zathras.de/graphik/ratten/bighouse.JPG[/img_thumb][img_thumb]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3484123520_6126f9547b.jpg[/img_thumb]
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[b]Section 4: Additional Information[/b]
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This list will expand as I think of more things. In general, these are just helpful bits of information that I've learned since my first rat.
[b]General[/b]
[list][*]If your rat nips you, don't hit or yell at your rat. (You should never do this for any reason.) Instead, try making a high pitched squeaking noise, as this is a rats way of saying "ouch!"
[*]Invest in a QUIET running wheel. Also, rats stretch out quite a bit when they run, so make sure the wheel is big enough for them.[/list]
[b]Health[/b]
[list][*][highlight]NEVER PICK UP YOUR RAT BY ITS TAIL![/highlight]
Rats have a natural defense mechanism in their tails allowing them to escape if stuck. Picking them up by the tail will trigger this, and you may skin the end of their tail. This will leave the bone exposed and until it heals, it will cause the rat a lot of pain and discomfort. If the tail is hurt badly enough, it may even need to be amputated by a veterinarian.
[*]Rats are lactose intolerant, so do not feed them cheese, milk or other dairy products (Occasionally, very small amounts of plain yogurt are okay)
[*]If your rats eyes and/or nose begin to ooze what appears to be blood, there isn't necessarily cause for alarm. This substance is called [b]porphyrin[/b] and is indicative only of stress in your rat. It may appear around your rat's nose after it sneezes, or even around the eyes. It is a natural occurrence for most rats to become stressed occasionally, explaining this discharge. If, however, this occurs excessively and is accompanied by heavy wheezing, a bad cough, extreme lack of energy, loss of appetite, or just general sickly behavior, it may be a good idea to contact the nearest small animal veterinarian.
[*]You rats teeth should be of orange/yellow color. The development of this pigment is due to the calcium in the enamel. If the teeth begin to turn white, they may have a calcium deficiency.
[*]Always check the nutrition facts of the food you feed them regularly to ensure a well-rounded diet. This will help you to avoid deficiencies such as the one mentioned directly above.[/list]
[b]Treats[/b]
[list][*]Fortune cookies
[*]Diced up fruit and veggies covered in plain yogurt
[*]Tiny pieces of mild mint candy[/list]
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[b]Section 5: Conclusion[/b]
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You will not regret bringing home a new ratty or two. It's an investment that will continue to give back for the 3-5 years you get to enjoy with your lovable companions. I will continue to own rats for as long as I can manage to, and enjoy every minute of it.
[b]Bonus Cuteness:[/b]
[img]http://loyalkng.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/rat-with-a-teddy-bear-16026-1233948665-3.jpg[/img]
[highlight]Post pictures of your rats! I'll add them here![/highlight]
My ratties:
[img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/IMG_3654.png[/img][img]http://filesmelt.com/dl/IMG_3692.png[/img]
Dysgalt:
[img_thumb]http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv357/homer_Alek/n1407280636_30099007_8036322.jpg[/img_thumb][img_thumb]http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv357/homer_Alek/n1407280636_30099023_6445335.jpg[/img_thumb]
Vashkin:
[img_thumb]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/5107228725_7cf41db9ed.jpg[/img_thumb][img_thumb]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1091/5111090397_376e56c4a2.jpg[/img_thumb]
Gythor:
[img_thumb]http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5880/namnlsrk.png[/img_thumb][img_thumb]http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/1710/namnls2.png[/img_thumb]
Hanibal:
[img_thumb]http://gyazo.com/69334a7a09136573f44fab2174505d1e.png[/img_thumb]
daaawwwww
Aww, rats!
oops, i should of saw this thread earlier...
:xd:
[highlight](User was banned for this post ("Trolling" - PLing))[/highlight]
I was always told you should have two rats, both female, to keep each other company. I've had two pairs of rats in the past, and they have been some of the loveliest animals I've ever met.
Though I remember I had a pair for a year, and then one died. The other seemed really placid and, well, immobile, that evening. When I woke up, it'd died as well. :smith:
Good job clearing up the misconceptions about these creatues. However, I prefer hamsters regardless.
They're cool I guess.
I thought this was going to be a thread about the new RAT virus which is undetectable with virus scanners.
Very serious virus
but I don't like real rats aswell
They're cool, but I grew out of them. Nice thread about the information though.
[img]http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ky9gixsaBh1qaj1vvo1_500.jpg[/img]
thats an ugly motherfucker
yuck
My friend has a girl rat named Charlie. Rats are awesome but I can't have one because I have a cat and my girlfriend is allergic to rats. :saddowns:
[QUOTE=Kid Cudi;27490613][img_thumb]http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ky9gixsaBh1qaj1vvo1_500.jpg[/img_thumb]
thats an ugly motherfucker
yuck[/QUOTE]
[img]http://www.crome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/rufus.jpg[/img]
I had two rats, in a large 4 foot tall, multi level cage. Both of them died of tumors, which are apparently very common for females.
RIP Licorice and Caramel :saddowns:
Rats are so much better than other rodent pets.
Wait, there really is a tailless kind of rat?
Also, rats are awesome. Hell, if rats weren't, do you really think they would pick one to create this?:
[img_thumb]http://dreager1.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/splinter01.jpg[/img_thumb]
dissected this sucker in biology last week
:siren: :nws: :nms: :siren:
[media]http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/5369/img0357r.jpg[/media]
[media]http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/6225/img0359fn.jpg[/media]
Rats made the plague spread.
[QUOTE=evilweazel;27490758]Rats made the plague spread.[/QUOTE]
....which was centuries ago. :colbert:
I like the Dumbo one.
However, I'll stick to dogs.
My neighbor has a few rats.
They're cool, but I'd still rather a dog or something.
I friggin' hate rats :gonk:
Predatory rats are best rats
[img]http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/9304/falanx2.jpg[/img]
[QUOTE=Captain Lawlrus;27490745]dissected this sucker in biology last week
[media]http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/5369/img0357r.jpg[/media]
[media]http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/6225/img0359fn.jpg[/media][/QUOTE]
We never got to dissect animals in my Biology class... I'm missing out
You see in the "oil a man", we call them there "R-A-Ts" Longtails or Rants,
'is bad luck yah see
I DEMAND THE CENSORING OF THIS ARTICLE, IT IS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE MANX PEOPLE
[QUOTE=Jorori;27490876]Predatory rats are best rats
[img_thumb]http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/9304/falanx2.jpg[/img_thumb][/QUOTE]
what the fuck, it looks like a rabbit head on a deer
[QUOTE=Jorori;27490876]Predatory rats are best rats
[img_thumb]http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/9304/falanx2.jpg[/img_thumb][/QUOTE]
I would shit my pants if I saw that.
[QUOTE=Pretiacruento;27490908]We never got to dissect animals in my Biology class... I'm missing out[/QUOTE]
No you're not, the preservatives smell horrendous.
I had ferrets and they were a lot more fun than any other rodents (rats included) that I've kept as pets. Lots of personality, energetic, playful, cuddly, and adorable. :buddy:
Rats came close in second, though.
fuck you OP now I want a rat.
too many animals in this house already goddamnit.
Cute as domestic pets.
Ugly fuckers otherwise.
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