Should you get a pet rat?

Rats are very low maintenance pets to own. They are very comfortable in their own environment and can go long periods of the day without much attention. If you are the type of owner that is away for long periods of the day then pet rats may be a good choice for you.

What is the best age to get a pet rat?

The best place to buy a rat is from a reputable breeder and a baby should be at least six weeks old. Make sure they have been properly sexed and separated from the opposite relationship by the time the males are five weeks old.

Why should I not get a pet rat?

There are two illnesses that pet rats can pass to humans and two that humans can pass to rats. Rats can catch ringworm and staph infections from humans. They can also contract Bordetella (kennel cough) from dogs, which is almost always lethal to rats.

What is the friendliest pet rat?

Do pet rats miss their owners?

Many believe Dumbo rats to be friendlier than other types of rats. (Dumbo rats’ ears are on the sides of their head rather than on top—similar to Walt Disney’s “Dumbo the Elephant”.) Burmese are also often considered to be very friendly.

Can I kiss my rat?

Even though our rats are too energetic to stay put for a few minutes while getting some pets, they will really miss us whenever we’re away for a day or two. So yes, they will create a bond with you, once they’re familiar with their surroundings and their owners. A lot of rats will hide their injuries or sickness.

Should I get a male or female rat?

Avoid kissing rats. That warning from a prominent veterinarian may seem silly since most of us pass our lives peacefully unaccompanied by rats, kissable or otherwise. However, it appears that kissing rats can potentially eliminate you and it highlights the importance of using proper hygiene around pets of all kinds.

Are female rats friendlier than males?

It’s always best to adopt littermates when possible. Gender: Although all rats have individual personalities, females tend to be smaller, more active, and playful, while males are often larger, more mellow, and snuggly.

Do rats know their names?

Both females and males make good pets. Female rats tend to be smaller and more active than males, running around and stealing paper to build nests. Males tend to make better lap pets. Rats of the same relationship (or altered) will live together fine if they grow up together or are properly introduced.

Why did Petco stop selling rats?

Because domesticated rats are playful, clean, intelligent animals, they make really fun pets. Teaching your rat its own name is an easy and fun first step in training. With a few treats and some practice, your rat will learn to recognize its own name and come to you when called.

How can you tell if a rat is happy?

Petco doesn’t test rats before selling them, apparently because the cost of doing so would exceed the profit that the corporate giant makes on selling these intelligent, sensitive animals (often as “snake food”).

Why does my rat smell like poop?

Will Petco take my rats?

The best way to tell if a rat’s happy, according to a new study, is to look at its ears. A happy rat’s ears hang relaxed to the sides (right), instead of perked up (left).

Is Petsmart still selling rats?

1. If there is a really bad feces odor or a smell to the rat themselves, it is most likely a diet or health issue. Feed them a good healthy diet and don’t over feed fruits/veggies that could cause diarrhea. Many very cheap foods and some very rich foods or too much protein could be the cause.

Do rats from pet stores carry diseases?

Should the need arise, Petco will gladly assist you in finding a home, or may take back, any companion animal in good health regardless of the length of ownership, as part of our “Think Adoption First” program to find a loving home for every animal. Check out this article for more tips on How to Rehome Your Pet.

What is the average lifespan of a pet rat?

Petco and Petsmart no longer sell live rats.

How big do rats from Petco get?

How old are small rats at Petco?

There are disease concerns with both wild (rats, mice) and pet (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs) rodents and rabbits. They can carry many diseases including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia and Salmonella.