Current Events > I can't get over how good rats are as pets

(+) Yeah! (+)

I know I've made this topic a thousand times but seriously, these dudes come to you when you call their names, love to snuggle, are so excited when you get home, etc. A lot of animals often get the "they're just like dogs" compliment but rats are the first pets I've owned where it really is applicable.

---

They really are. Very mild tempered. Always want to snuggle as you say.

---

All started with my first husband... Stewart

I love them so much. Touching their hairy scaly little tails us so fun.

---

_MorningStar posted...

They really are. Very mild tempered. Always want to snuggle as you say.

And they really really really want your attention. They are so unlike any other rodent or really any other mammal besides dogs.

Also, at least the ones I've owned, I've literally never been bitten by one. In fact, if they think you're trying to give them food, they will often give warning nibbles to make sure they're not biting your finger.

---

i'm a rat -approaches tc-

well?

---

jeffhardyb0yz posted...

from someone who lives in NYC,

What is it with New Yorkers and finding any excuse to tell people they live in New York? It hasn't been a flex in years, lmao

---

CRON posted...

What is it with New Yorkers and finding any excuse to tell people they live in New York? It hasn't been a flex in years, lmao

NYC is different from other big cities if only for its laws but there are many other factors making NYC iconic.

The water, ocean and rivers
the state hospitals
the state universities

Each big city is so different. Chicago has the worst rat problem. About 5 years ago they compounded it by making buildings pay for garbage cans by the month and by limiting the number of cans. You cannot have more than 4. Large buildings are responsible for their own trash as in it is up to them not as in they are accountable. I had a landlord who allowed one can for 3 apartments.

I guess rats are smart and sociable. Any body watch Ben?

---

Here in flyover country, our rats have antlers and jump out in front of cars.

Savannah cats fit this same bill and I can't accidentally step on my cat. Well I can but not that easily and it probly won't hurt him.

Can you walk rats? Genuine question cause that woild be pretty cool.


---

Yeah they seem like cool pets the only problem is that they have very short lifespans(like 2 years) i could not imagine becoming so close to an animal and then it dies so quickly. I have a bunny, she is gonna live around 7 more years, every once in awhile she will let me pick her up like a baby and snuggle her but she is not very trusting. She does not seem anywhere near as smart as a rat though, i have no clue how to train her. I might look up videos on how to do it.

Anyway, thats why i do not have a rat but even then i feel like rats are a bit creepy with the red eyes and whatnot, i dunno if i could really see myself cuddling with a rat.

I always wanted one but they have a tiny lifespan and are very prone to cancer

---

Yeah, one of my degrees is in psychology so you read about a lot of studies where they use rats and it makes them seem so clever and fun.

The short lifespan definitely seems like the worst aspect.

Theyre also highly social and need to be with other rats so seems like a hard pet to get out of having since if you only have one surviving rat, you either have to let it be alone and sad for the rest of its life or get another rat and end up always getting new rats to keep having at least two and be locked into a rat ownership cycle.

---

i knew this hippie ass motherfucker who kept a couple of naked rats as pets. and ngl, they were cute.

They live for like 4 years tho

---

It would be cool to see someone walking a rat. Be sure to get a flashy jeweled leash so peeps know it is a pet.

---

sketch turner had a pet rat

---

What's the difference between rats as a pet vs mice as a pet.

---

Legato-and-Vash posted...

What's the difference between rats as a pet vs mice as a pet.

Rats are outside, mice are inside foo. What i want to know is if a mouse goes outside does it become a rat and if a rat comes inside is it a mouse?

TrollTrace posted...

Rats are outside, mice are inside foo. What i want to know is if a mouse goes outside does it become a rat and if a rat comes inside is it a mouse?

why can I not remember where this came from?

---

Legato-and-Vash posted...

What's the difference between rats as a pet vs mice as a pet.

Mice are much more skittish and usually don't like to be handled. They also tend to be less social. They actually can be as smart and friendly as rats, but that's usually the exception, not the rule.

Rats are larger (obviously), much more social, and tend to be very outgoing with their owners. Basically, think of a tiny dog - they get excited when you come home, come when you call for them, like to groom you with small licks, etc.

---

DarkRoast posted...

Mice are much more skittish and usually don't like to be handled. They also tend to be less social. They actually can be as smart and friendly as rats, but that's usually the exception, not the rule.

Rats are larger (obviously), much more social, and tend to be very outgoing with their owners. Basically, think of a tiny dog - they get excited when you come home, come when you call for them, like to groom you with small licks, etc.

Thanks for the info! I had no idea rats were so owner friendly. Are they more social than hamsters or guinea pigs or pretty similar?

---

Legato-and-Vash posted...

Are they more social than hamsters or guinea pigs or pretty similar?

wayyyyy more social and friendly. hamsters will bite the FUCK out of you down to the bone, and guinea pigs are perpetually in fight or flight mode except it's just flight

---

you think when pet rats go out and see homeless rats on the sidewalk, they walk to the other side of the street?

---

I have only had negative experiences with these pests

Trumpo posted...

I have only had negative experiences with these pests

Domestic rats have as much in common with wild rats as dogs do with wolves.


---

DarkRoast posted...

And they really really really want your attention. They are so unlike any other rodent or really any other mammal besides dogs.

Also, at least the ones I've owned, I've literally never been bitten by one. In fact, if they think you're trying to give them food, they will often give warning nibbles to make sure they're not biting your finger.

My ex had one and I was amazed at how loving they are. I hated it at first because "eww rat" stigma they have. But just a short time and I'm letting her run all over me. She loved to play with your hair. Adored you giving her food. And she was so gentle I could put it in my lips and she could take it and never bit me. Was a fucking treat when people would come over and I'd do that. The looks you get.

But yeah, it really is amazing how close they are to having a pint sized dog. Shame about the life spans but they can live for a few good years. Worth the investment.

---

I had a large albino pet rat years ago. He loved belly rubs and ice cream. Pretty sweet tempered little animal. I lost him. That was back when I got around on an enduro motorcycle and I put him in a little carrier because he went to work with me at this little pet store. One day after getting to work I realized he somehow got out of his enclosure during transit. I rode that trip back and forth a dozen times hoping beyond hope. Never found the little guy.

---

Nothing turns girls on more than an eccentric dude with a pet rat.

---

I have a hard enough time saying goodbye to a cat every 15-20 years, I dont think I could deal with the emotional trauma of losing a loving pet every few years

---

I've always been iffy on small rodent pets due to the fear of them chewing on everything

---