| First off, is a rat right for you? You'll have to allow it at least 30 minutes out-of-cage time every day, and more if you only have one rat (like if its cagemate died). You'll have to clean the cage at least once a week, depending on what kind of enclosure you have. If you have small children in the household, make plans to keep them separated. Rats are extremely gentle, but if you get a wild toddler with the rat, injury could occur on either side. Keep that in mind. Will you be able to deal with accidents that occur? Can you tolerate chewing on clothes, and bathroom accidents? Can you afford a rat? As far as pets go, rats are on the less-expensive side. To purchase them, it's usually around $5-10. To buy a good cage, it often costs an upwards of $60. To get basic food and bedding, a cost of $15 is about average. Also, you might have to be prepared for vet bills. Remember, rats do not have long life expectancies at all. A rat living to the age of five is rather rare. 2-4 years are about all the time you'll have your rat. I know it seems like "Why bother?", but these rats are so loving, they make up for their short time here. And you'll always be able to see them later on in the Rainbow Bridge. : ) Nothing is perfect, so I would hope you would be able to see past the few negative things about them and view the good. |
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| Only get a rat if you're sure you can play with it amply and provide it with regular care, as well as needed vet bills. If for some reason you can no longer keep the rat, *DO NOT* abandon it and leave it to fend for itself in the wild. Pet rats have been domesticated and can not survive on their own! They depend on you! |
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