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Rats as Pets
Looking for a smart and affectionate pet? Consider a rat.
Rats have centuries of bad PR, going back to the plague. But rat lovers and vets alike swear they make great pets.
Just ask Mark Vardy of Kingston, who convinced his daughter, Jade Varelle, to get a rat instead of a dog or cat.
“I’m a single dad and I wanted a pet that would require less looking after. Rats are sociable, intelligent, they like people and they’re active,” Vardy says.
Varelle, 15, trained their first rat to come when she rang a bell. Two others were easily litter-trained and had very distinctive personalities: One was active and outgoing, while the other just wanted to cuddle.
Nineteen-year-old Jennifer Kelley of Ajax, Ont., adopted her first two rats last September—and she loved them so much she’s adopted two more.
“I’ve had friends freak out and tell me I’m weird. But when they come over and meet the rats, they actually like them,” says Kelley, who now runs a small business sewing and selling hammocks for rats.
A standard guinea-pig cage (with paper or fabric for bedding) offers plenty of room for a rat. The little rodents, who live two to 3 ½ years, also appreciate being taken out of their cages to explore—but make sure you supervise them so they don’t chew electrical cords.
As for disease, Montreal vet Danielle Beaulieu says there is nothing to worry about: “Domestic rats usually do not carry diseases that are dangerous or contagious to humans.”
In terms of food, Beaulieu recommends avoiding seed mixes, because they don’t provide complete nutrition.
Instead, buy rodent blocks, which help keep rats’ ever-growing teeth in check, and supplement their diet with fruit and vegetables.
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7 comments
whats the link/site for the rat hammocks and stuff?
So true! Rats are great pets. I had two sisters, aptly named Gregarious and Coy. Gregarious was very smart, even to the point of finding her lost sister Coy who had become stuck in a sliding window (reminiscent of Lassie finding Timmy down the well). Coy died early, but Gregarious was a steadfast companion, even in old age. She aged, and died peacefully in the palm of my hand. I am keeping me eye on the Humane Society for two more girls. Best to buy in pairs as the are very social. Best too to adopt those needing a home vs from a pet shop. I was told also that ratlets (babies) sometimes turn up at shelters bcs well meaning fanciers are sold two same sex rats at pet shops then, once the babies appear, the owner realizes this is not the case.
It's so true! Rats make wonderful pets. I've had 5 total over the years, each with a unique and wonderful personality. Some are more adventurous and playful, while others can be more reserved and just plain cuddly. The only difficult thing about having pet rats is their short life span and proneness to sickness. Unfortunately, even with plenty of exercise, a fresh diet and good housing/bedding, none of my pet rats have ever died of natural causes, and have cost a lot in vet bills during their ailing weeks. It's very hard to lose a pet to sickness, and it's something everyone should keep in mind when adopting a rat. If you can, avoid getting rats from pet stores, as they will be more likely to have problems due to poor care and housing as babies. If possible, get rats from a reputable breeder. And one last thing... always keep pet rats in groups of TWO OR MORE! Rats are very sociable, and need company from fellow rats or they can get very depressed. That's all! :)
Too bad they are illegal in Alberta.
Rats are great pets! They truly are friendly and sociable. Even clean. Also, there's recently been new proof proving that rats were not the cause of the plague, so there isn't even a reason for a bad reputation. Rats are great pets. I currently have 17, and every one of them is unique and special in their own way.
who would have to know ? just buy one out of provence and hide it somewhere when u take it over the border.
Hi b.b.! You can chek out Jennifer Kelley's site here:
http://jkhammocks.weebly.com/index.html
-Martha at Reader's Digest