Posted on Aug 19, 2016

Would you ever consider getting a domesticated rat as a pet? (Read the description).

LTJG (Join to see)

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Domesticated rats get a bad rap. They are actually incredibly smart and can learn as many or more tricks than most dogs. They are incredibly social creatures who love human affection and spend more time cleaning themselves than cats. Rats live upwards of 2 years and require very little maintenance. Rats are very friendly, rarely if ever nip, and do incredibly well with other animals. :-)

Posted in these groups: Mg95201403209509581995749 1

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

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MSG (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

I don't care how domesticated they are:

http://www.orkin.com/rodents/rats/rat-borne-diseases/

Rodent Borne Diseases: Types of Diseases Carried & Spread by Rats

Rat bites and scratches can result in disease and rat-bite fever. Rat urine is responsible for the spread of leptospirosis, which can result in liver and kidney damage. It can also be contracted through handling or inhalation of scat.Complications include renal and liver failure, as well as cardiovascular problems.

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1SG (Join to see)

>1 y

This refers to wild rats. Domesticated rats will very rarely if ever carry those diseases.

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LTJG (Join to see)

>1 y

MSG (Join to see), 1SG (Join to see) is right. Domesticated rats rarely have any diseases that can be passed onto children or adults. Their breeding is usually regulated quite strictly, as is their care while in their infancy. Also, domesticated rats have an incredibly docile temperament. Unlike other species of rodent like the hamster and gerbil, rats will seldom if ever bite - I've never been bitten by my rats. Also, as a habit of good health, people should always wash their hands after interacting with any pet - cat, dog, rat, bird, snake, etc. However, if you look into domesticated rat behavior, you will find they are incredibly clean as they spend most of their day cleaning themselves, very social and affectionate towards another and their owners, and smarter than you can imagine. For such a little creature, it is quite impressive to see how quick they learn. :-)

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MSG (Join to see)

>1 y

LTJG (Join to see) - yea, I know all that. But knowing still doesn't want to make me have a rat for a pet.

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CSM Richard StCyr

Posted >1 y ago

I get attached to my pets and loosing one every couple years would be hard.

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LTJG (Join to see)

>1 y

I am the same way. That was my only real qualm when my wife brought them home.

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SPC Jillian O'Malley

Posted >1 y ago

We have a set of Gerbils right now and we love them, they are in a huge cage, 20 gallon tank on the bottom with a 4 level cage topper. We are considering getting rats next. Being able to cuddle them out of the cage, and being able to let them taste small scraps of human food sounds fun. Also, being able to build them an outdoor run for daily exercise seems like it would be a fun family activity. And watching them sleep in a hammock? Adorable

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LTJG (Join to see)

>1 y

Also, rats have the best temperament of any rodent species. They seldom if ever bite - I've never been bitten by my rat. However, they do occasionally show affection by putting their teeth on you (you can't even feel it) - it takes a while to train yourself not to pull away. My wife and I both love them!

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SFC Josh Billingsley

Posted >1 y ago

Ariel Garneau and Capt Brandon Charters, a new solution for pest control?

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Capt Brandon Charters

>1 y

Ariel Garneau Great timing for this discussion ;)

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LTJG (Join to see)

>1 y

Wild rats and domesticated rats are very different! Though, I do enjoy the humor in your post! :D

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MSgt (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

I've never had a pet rat but I do have a blue tounge skink lizard. They are friendly lizards.
http://bluetongueskinks.net/

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LTJG (Join to see)

>1 y

What a skink! ;)
Very cool pet.

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LTJG (Join to see)

Posted >1 y ago

I really didn't expect this positive of a reaction from RP. My wife and I are both very happy to see that other members have owned and loved these furry little guys. :-)

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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel

Edited >1 y ago

Posted >1 y ago

They're a fellow Mammal, I don't see, why not. My Daughter had quite a few Gerbils over the Years, Unfortunately they were prone to Brain Cancer and Dad had to give them a "Burial at Sea" it wasn't until much later that she learned what that meant. Mercy Killing with a Large Rock and pitching them in the Potomac River.

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Would you ever consider getting a domesticated rat as a pet? (Read the description).

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