Good Rat True
Good Rat True
Advice from rat owners?
Ok! After much deliberation, I've pretty much decided on getting rats 
I'd just like to know, not so much the downside to owning rats, but the hardships I might face? I can't wait to get my little ratties, would love to know before I get them, certain things I may have to deal with. They just sound too good to be true!! Thanks.
Why do people insist on replying with abuse especially when my question if aimed at rat OWNERS!? Gah! Anyway .... Thanks for all of the answers
Rats are great pets and every one else has given you reasons why they are good pets, but to answer your question there are a number things you need to know about however don’t let any of this put you off the really are great pets.
Rat’s lifespan is quite short typically 2-3 years though I have had a rat that lived for 4 years. Healthy rats that get plenty of exercise and have a healthy diet will live for longer.
All domestic rats carry a bacteria in their lungs which can causes respiratory illness which can potentially kill them. There is nothing that can be done about this however you can take preventative steps that can reduce the chances of it becoming a problem. Its best to avoid wood shavings, as the dust from the shavings can aggravate this problem. If your rat starts having breathing problems, particularly if you can hear fluid on its chest when its breathing, then its worth taking it to the vet, antibiotics will help. In my experience this is something that is more likely to affect them in old age, as their immune system weakens they will begin to have breathing problems.
Female rats are very prone to mammary gland tumours. They are fatal unless surgically removed. Paying your vet to operate is not cheep and many vets will be reluctant to operate so it’s worth finding a vet that specialises in small animal surgery.
Male rats sometimes get abscesses, usually caused by cuts that get infected. The abscess will swell up and look a bit like the tumours female rats get, but can easily be treated by your vet.
Rats who are kept in all wire cages can get something called bumble foot, which is a kind of ulcer, or open sore on their feet which is caused by constantly walking on wire floors. Cages with wire shelves are OK but they should not have wire on the base.
Rats can smell if not kept clean, I clean my rat cage twice a week and change the bedding they sleep on ever other day, I also give the cage itself a really good clean once a month, scrub all the bars and particularly the selves where they walk. Its worth also toilet training your rats to use a litter tray.
Male rats tend to scent mark a lot and this is something you will have to get used to if you want to keep them.
If possible get your rat from a proper rat breeder(or a small pet shop) rather from a large chain store. Large stores buy their livestock from breeders who breed on an industrial scale. Rats breed on a mass scale want have been properly socialised by being handled. If they have not been socialised they will be timid and more likely to bit. Also in my experience large scale breeders are les concerned about the health of their rats, for instance many small animals suffer from diabetes, proper rat breeders want breed any rats that look like they have diabetes or any other abnormality, however large scale breeders want care and will breed any rat they have. Try to find a rat breeder in your area, most proper rat breeders don’t breed rats for profit, but rather for the love of it so they want to breed health good quality rats.
Rats need to be handled daily. They are very intelligent and will quickly get bored and depressed if not taken out of their cage. This is only a problem if you do not have the time or commitment.
again dont let any of this put you off they are the best rodents to keep as pets.
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