When clients ask me about getting a first pet, I ask them a lot of questions about what kind of time they’ll have, whether they want a pet they can handle and cuddle with, and how many years they can commit to their pet. This is especially important when kids are involved.
First, I should say I am unabashed about turning families with children away from hamsters. I can count the number of sweet hamsters I've met in all the years I have been practicing on one and a half hands. And they were LOVELY hamsters. Many hamsters, however, hate to be handled and may bite the hands that feed them. That’s unfair to the kid as well as the stressed out hamster.
A pet rat, however, from the right source and that has been handled since a pup (yes, a baby rat is called a pup) is an EXCELLENT pet. Here’s why:
http://www.dapper.com.au/articles.htm#itchy
- If you’re not ready for the 6-8 year commitment of a guinea pig, the 8-12 year commitment (and lots of work) of a rabbit, or the likely 20 year commitment of a chinchilla, a rat may be just the ticket. With a rat we’re talking 2-3 years.
- Rats are like little dogs. They enjoy interacting with their people, they curl up on your shoulder for a nap, and if you take the time, they can be taught tricks!
Watch this!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g2rxtWu_FM
- Rats will occupy themselves in their (large) cage condo, but will happily play with you when you come home every day from work/school/whatever you do if you retired at 40. Or they’ll run around the new set of obstacles you set up in the living room.
- These creatures are fairly low maintenance to feed and water. They eat rat blocks (many commercial brands available, I recommend Oxbow or Masuri brand) plus human foods. Yup, rats can eat many of the foods we eat.
Now, a rat is still a commitment like any pet. Just because they’re small and less expensive than a fancy designer dog doesn’t mean they won't have veterinary needs and medical bills. Rats are prone to a few issues, including upper respiratory infections, often well managed with the proper antibiotics. Unfortunately, mammary (breast) tumors are also somewhat common. Getting your rat spayed, however, will greatly reduce the risk of mammary tumors.
While most rats do not get these tumors, be aware you might be having a chat with your vet about surgery to remove a lump. That said, they tend to have a lot fewer health issues than other pets.
Now, back to why I love rats. They are adorable, come in lots of colors and patterns, bond really well with their people, are rarely known to bite unless injured, and beat out a lot of other pets by a mile for being easy to keep. My rats from years ago, Olivia and Matilda, would have told you they were the best!
Because Olivia and Matilda say so!