Rats-- My first love ;)

**Lauren_22** · 05-04-12, 03:48 am

I am new to Guinea Pig ownership, but before adopting my piggies I was known by all my family and friends as "rat girl". I got my first two pet rats when I was 15 and I've been in love ever since. I do a lot of rescue work with them, and I take in a lot of unwanted ones and offer my home as a sort of santuary for them to live out the rest of their lives in. It's a shame their lives are so short

In my area there are very few people who are responsible rat owners (or who are willing to try to be) so its difficult to rehome them. Shelters around here are also not very small animal savvy so they usually call me or give them away on CL. Rats make absolutely wonderful pets! Here are some of my current rats, hope you all enjoy the pictures

Graham

Mason

Elliot

Puck

Koda

Dune

**suzilovespiggie** · 05-04-12, 04:00 am

I love rats also. My daughter had rats from the time she was 8. you are right theyy make awesome pets! Great pictures!

**miss_melmel** · 05-04-12, 04:01 am

I love rats they are so cute.
You will love guinea pigs they are so amazing, i owned rats before i owned guinea pigs.
Anyway welcome

**Lauren_22** · 05-04-12, 04:10 am

If anyone is interested in watching, I have a video of one of my groups of boy rats doing one of their favorite things-- Pea fishing!

**Lawcatt509** · 05-04-12, 06:41 am

OMG that is like the cutest thing ever. The kitty playing with them .. and your kitty wont try and attack them? wow i have to watch for my cat she is so bad she scratched one of my skinny pigs when i was not looking she just jumped in the cage when i turned to fill up bowls .. Gave her a fright when i screamed .

. But i always wanted a Rat but never got one . Now i want one so bad .Wonder of i can convince hubby to get me one for Mothers day . Your babies are lovely .. just lovely .. good job : )

**dahowlers** · 05-04-12, 01:19 pm

Lawcatt, if you do, make sure you get two so they don't get depressed c:

I love rats, although I had guinea pigs before I had rats, I found the rats more enjoyable. Maybe it was because I was older, but I absolutely loved them. Bella would always go places with me in my hood! You have gorgeous ratties! <3

**MissJean** · 05-04-12, 01:29 pm

I think I'll probably get rats in the future. I had a friend's mouse crawl all over me back in High School, he hid in my hair (I have long hair). It was super awesome!

Those really big Ferret Nation cages would look so sleek in my living room,too!

I really love Koda's face! They have teeny little noses.

**Wildcavy** · 05-04-12, 01:49 pm

They are so cute!!

Of course now I have to stuff down the urge to run out and rescue a bunch of ratties. I love how cute, fun, smart and loving they are. One of the sweetest pictures I ever saw was of a first-time mom rat tending to her litter of 11 pups. I have zero idea how she did it. But the look on her face was like, "get any closer and there will be trouble." I don't think I've ever seen an animal parent look so defensive of their babies before.

**BlueButterfly** · 05-04-12, 02:09 pm

They are too cute!

I've never had rats before, but they're probably right on my list of pets to get next. Right behind rabbits. They look like they'd be awesome pets to have, so smart and friendly. The only downside is that most people I know would hate me having rats, they barely tolerate my guinea pigs.

**Wildcavy** · 05-04-12, 02:13 pm

Originally Posted by BlueButterfly

The only downside is that most people I know would hate me having rats, they barely tolerate my guinea pigs.

I'd say a lot of us here and folks like us would think you are even more excellent if you had rats!

Never ceases to amaze me how intolerant even our friends can be of our companion animals. I can't imagine doing that to someone, even if I personally would never own a particular type of animal.

**Fizzlepop40** · 05-04-12, 02:15 pm

Adorable!!!

I really wish I could have rats, but my mom doesn't like them...

**BlueButterfly** · 05-04-12, 02:29 pm

Originally Posted by Wildcavy

I'd say a lot of us here and folks like us would think you are even more excellent if you had rats!

Never ceases to amaze me how intolerant even our friends can be of our companion animals. I can't imagine doing that to someone, even if I personally would never own a particular type of animal.

Haha, I have no doubt that most of the people here would love it if I got rats. Unfortunately, most of the people I know aren't like the people on here. They aren't as bad as some people, they just really don't know anything about pets besides dogs and cats.

**Lauren_22** · 05-04-12, 02:37 pm

Thank you everyone for the compliments! They really are great pets. They are the best of dogs and cats combined in my opinion

they seek out human companionship like dogs and clean themselves and use litter boxes like cats, who could ask for better?!

Here are a few more pictures, since everyone loves pictures hehe

Sheldon

Sheldon's Belly!

Owen

Stewart

Tyson trying to get into an egg for some treats

Bruce telling the kitty secrets

Lexi

**Wildcavy** · 05-04-12, 02:52 pm

Oh my goodness! I really like Bruce whispering to the cat!

**loveskittles** · 05-04-12, 03:37 pm

welcome and I had rat's two.. or should I say my kids had them but mommy took care of them and loved them more..

we had 4 of them but we are down to one baby' know..

**Lawcatt509** · 05-04-12, 03:55 pm

ok thats it i am inlove bruce and Lexi did it in for me .. Bruce telling kitty seceretes .. I bet he is telling the kitty where the cat treats are in exchange for chees ..hehe .. and lexi looks so cute she looks like she is saying .. DUUUUUUDE! back away i am eating here ...

..Oh and Owen that innocent look like .. Mommy i would never do that .. all innocent .. hehe

**theratwhisperer** · 06-29-12, 05:30 am

I have 7 rats myself right now but have 10+ years experience with them.I did a 'photo shoot' with some of them last night- still have 3 rats to photograph. You can see more of my rats, and read more about rats in general on my blog, The Rat Whisperer
.