Is a rat the right pet for you? Rats may seem like the perfect "disposable" pet that requires no work but I can tell you first hand that they're just as much work as any other animal and require the same ammount of
dedication. Please take the time to properly learn all you can about this fantastic animal before purchasing or adopting one.
Pros About Having a Rat as a Pet:
Rats are intelligent.
They provide companionship(often, rat owners including myself compare the companionship and love of a rat to that of a dog).
They're fairly clean animals.
They have little to no smell.
They can be litter box trained.
They're endlessly amusing.
Cons About Having a Rat as a Pet:
A knowledgeable rat vet is hard to find.
Vet Bills for rats can be high. Removing a tumor alone can cost one hundred dollars minimum.
They love to chew! .
They need thirty minutes to two hours out of cage time a day(this can be a pro too though).
They can induce a serious problem we rat lovers like to refer to as GGMR. Gotta get more rats!
There are a few sources to choose from which can provide you with a pet rat. I'll go over each one and list the pros and cons of each.
Shelter or a Rescue
Pros:
These animals need homes and its a great thing to help them out!
Sometimes, a vet has already taken care of any illnesses that otherwise you would have spent a bundle on.
Cons:
Sometimes shelters don't know a lot about rats and the rats may be diseased.
Rats from rescues may have behavioral issues. A responsible rescue will tell you about these or you may just observe them yourself.
Breeder
Pros:
A responsible breeder will know their rats medical history and can answer most questions you have.
If you're looking for specific coloring, a breeder will probably be more likely to have what you're looking for.
Cons:
If you don't know what to look for you may end up getting a rat from a not so responsible breeder. A responsible breeder will not adopt out single rats without proof of you already having rats. A responsible breeder almost always will have you return the rat if you find that the rat is not what you wanted or expected.
Sometimes breeders can be pricey if your looking for certain coat varieties or colors.
Pros About Having a Rat as a Pet:
Rats are intelligent.
They provide companionship(often, rat owners including myself compare the companionship and love of a rat to that of a dog).
They're fairly clean animals.
They have little to no smell.
They can be litter box trained.
They're endlessly amusing.
Cons About Having a Rat as a Pet:
A knowledgeable rat vet is hard to find.
Vet Bills for rats can be high. Removing a tumor alone can cost one hundred dollars minimum.
They love to chew! .
They need thirty minutes to two hours out of cage time a day(this can be a pro too though).
They can induce a serious problem we rat lovers like to refer to as GGMR. Gotta get more rats!
There are a few sources to choose from which can provide you with a pet rat. I'll go over each one and list the pros and cons of each.
Shelter or a Rescue
Pros:
These animals need homes and its a great thing to help them out!
Sometimes, a vet has already taken care of any illnesses that otherwise you would have spent a bundle on.
Cons:
Sometimes shelters don't know a lot about rats and the rats may be diseased.
Rats from rescues may have behavioral issues. A responsible rescue will tell you about these or you may just observe them yourself.
Breeder
Pros:
A responsible breeder will know their rats medical history and can answer most questions you have.
If you're looking for specific coloring, a breeder will probably be more likely to have what you're looking for.
Cons:
If you don't know what to look for you may end up getting a rat from a not so responsible breeder. A responsible breeder will not adopt out single rats without proof of you already having rats. A responsible breeder almost always will have you return the rat if you find that the rat is not what you wanted or expected.
Sometimes breeders can be pricey if your looking for certain coat varieties or colors.
Published by Rachel Weaver
I'm an 18 year old living in New York. I write prose, poetry and also about animals. I started writing at a young age keeping a diary. View profile
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