Rats As Pets Kids Stories.Online
Rats As Pets
In the wake of Disney/Pixar's triumphant film Ratatouille,
kids may start wanting a furry, little Remy of their own. Most parents, when
faced with the question of rat ownership, will conjure up notions of disease,
bites and disgusting, fleshy tails, and instinctively blurted out, "No
way!"
But the rats sold in pet stores are far different than their
cousins who inhabit basements and sewers. They're called 'fancy rats,' and they
couldn't deserve a better name. If you're looking for an energetic, loving,
intelligent, easy-to-maintain, and relatively inexpensive pet for your
children, you may not want to be so hasty in your decision. Rats might be just
the thing you're looking for.
PROS
Rats are extremely clever - they can perform tricks, learn
their names - even come when they're called. They love to spend time with their
owners playing on the floor, snuggling in their arms, or just hanging out on a
shoulder. They show affection by nuzzling and giving off loving, soft squeaks
and squeals. Unlike most small pets (like mice, hamsters, gerbils, and
rabbits), fancy rats rarely bite humans, even when provoked, so they're safe to
handle.
They can be entertaining for hours, climbing on ropes and
ladders, chasing each other, and wrestling with one another. Children are free
to stretch their imaginations by building mazes, tunnels, and obstacle courses
for their furry friends. And feeding time is always amusing - rats go crazy
over fresh fruits and veggies.
Rat cages are surprisingly easy to maintain. They eliminate
in one communal corner of the cage, so cleaning is a snap. They keep themselves
squeaky clean, grooming each other often during their awake times. Because they
have sleek fur, they won't have an odor (as long as you're doing your part in
keeping the cage urine-free).
Cons
Rats are nocturnal, so they will be most active at night.
It's ideal to keep the cage in a communal area of the house, such as the family
room, so the rats can interact with the family as much as possible. If keeping
the cage in a child's bedroom, be aware that rats love to play at night and
might disrupt your child's sleep patterns.
Rats do not do well alone, so it is recommended that they be
kept in groups of two or three. It is also recommended that they be kept in
same-sex groups of either all males or all females. Females are smaller than
males so they are better for younger children with small hands, but females
tend to get a bit agitated once a week when they're in heat. Males are larger
and a bit lazier, but both sexes make great pets.
Since rats are so intelligent, cage-life can get boring
quickly, so rats need about an hour of playtime outside of the cage a day. When
they're outside of the cage, make sure vents and holes or crevices are blocked
off - rats like to burrow into small spaces and you might have a hard time retrieving
them. Some children make a "playpen" out of couch cushions or toy
blocks for their rats. Also, always keep dogs and cats in a separate room when
the rats are out.
Taking your rat outdoors is not recommended for several
reasons: your rat could contract a disease or acquire fleas and ticks, which
results in more vet bills; if you lose sight of your rat, he or she might be
lost for good; and, the most important reason - birds of prey will not distinguish
your pet from any other rodent. Believe me, you don't want your child to go
through that! Keeping your rat indoors is always best.
And lastly, the life-span for a rat is about 2-3 years, so if you're looking for a long-lived companion, rats might not be for you.
Cage
I've searched pet stores and the web and the best cage I've
found is the Small Pet Cage by Pet Cages, Etc. This size is great for
three rats. It has two stories with ladders for optimal exercise, the bar
spacing is ideal for tiny rat feet, and the bottom tray slides out for easy
cleaning. This cage is $67.00.
Food
It's best to feed block or pellet feed and supplement each
day with a few fruits and veggies during outside playtime. Block or pellet feed
ranges from $3 to $10, depending on bag size, and lasts longer than the seed
and berry mixes. Here are some good choices for fruits and veggies: broccoli,
peas, carrots, berries, apples, grapes, and bananas. Rats also enjoy unsweetened
cereals. Nuts in shells are great specialty treats but should not be fed often
since they are high in fat. For instance, each Christmas my rats received a few
walnuts to play with. They make great puzzles as well as snacks.
Bedding
Never use cedar or pine bedding for your rats as it can be
toxic. Most pet stores carry Carefresh bedding which is bio-degradable,
absorbent, dust-free, and controls odors. Aspen bedding is also safe and is
less expensive than Carefresh.
Accessories and Toys
You'll need a food bowl and a water bottle - glass bottles
are best, but plastic ones are less expensive. Ramekins make great food bowls
and are less expensive than the bowls sold at pet shops. You'll also need a
nesting box for your rats that is big enough for all the rats to snuggle into
together. I like the plastic Pet Igloos the best. I also always love to provide
a hammock for my rats at the top of the cage - you can find them online or in
the ferret section of any pet store. Some rats like chew toys but they aren't
necessary.
If you've made it to the end of this article, I commend you.
It means that somewhere, maybe way deep inside, you're considering a rat as a
pet. Either that or the idea was so appalling to you, you had to see if I was
serious. Either way, I hope you've learned a thing or two. And even if rats
still aren't your thing, you should at least be able to see why there are many
who adore them.
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