@@xBloodxFangx I got my first rats from a pet store and I was looking to upgrade their cage and the employe showed me a ‘rat cage’ that was in reality a downgrade but my pet rats did get the cage I was looking for thankfully
As a child (I'm 12), I love owning my two girls. I get them out after school every day and they are so funny and I love giving them hugs. My mum helps me clean them out as I'm a bit slow doing it on my own. I also like the responsibility of owning them. I told my parents that I wanted a pet that I could take care of and be responsible for. I looked into hamsters and realised I wanted something a bit different. I searched "good pets for kids" and rats came up! After a lots more research I convinced my parents to let me have them. I'm so grateful for my rats and I am getting two more babies later this year. :)
I’m 15 and I’m in the same boat as you! I own 3 pet rats and 1 hamster! I’ve never had a pet, not even a cat or dog, so it took a really long time to consider if I would be able to take care of so many pets on my own. They’re all in my room, and it’s even a bigger responsibility for me because my mum or sister don’t like animals like that, so as soon as I got them I knew I responsible for taking care of them and I loved that. I’ve always been sensible ever since I was a little kid and have always known how to handle fragile beings as I babysat my newborn cousin a lot from 13-14. I’m glad there are other young people who like to take care of pets like rats, etc too ! Because I always get made fun of it, haha.
From a breeder perspective: Do I home to places with kids/for kids? Yes but the process is different slightly. If the person applying to me in under 18 I do request to chat with the parent. Ideally I like to do this in person so I have the parent and child come visit me at the rattery. This way I can see the child interact with the rats and get to chat and know the parent and this lets me know if the home will be a good fit for my rats. Most who have applied to me in these type of situations, the parent is actually really behind the idea and ends up as much in love with the rats as the child! Rat shows are also a great and free way to introduce children to rats. While helping do PR at many rat shows I've chatted to loads of kids and parents about them. At these shows you can let the kids hold and interact with the rats and I remember once that a child (who had been adamant they wanted rats) then refused to even engage and hold the rat I was offering them. At least these parents got to see how their child would react without having to buy and then get rid of a pet. Lastly as a breeder, if I am homing to a child household i will always place them my more confident rats. While the child will be shown the correct and safe way to hold them, they need to be given confident rats to keep up with a childs busy hands. A shy or reserved rat would not be suited to a child home
I’m 13 and I’m getting rats in a few days. And I think you should be 11-12 or older because if I look back to a few years ago I would not be able to do the amount of research needed to take care of them. And of course the parents need to understand ho to care for them as well. Great video ❤️
Have you got your rats? How are they doing? ☺️ also any tips to convince parents to let you get rats? I’ve wanted them for so long but my dad’s not a fan…
@@ripplemoon249 in my experience, if a parent isn’t on board or needs extensive convincing to get any pet, it’s not going to be a safe and caring environment. Especially once vet visits come up. I suggest waiting until you’re an adult and/or have the ability to financially /independently make your own decisions without parental involvement
I had a few rats when I was a kid (8-12) my parents helped me with them and we did all we could but they kept dying one after another so I stopped getting them. They were all from the pet store which I think was the problem. I now have 2 rats from a breeder! Had them since march and they’re still happy and healthy! :)
I got my first rats when I was 12 and I think that's a good age. I'd been doing research for a year before getting them though so my rat journey really started at 11. Rats were literally a lifesaver for me growing up. Being an undiagnosed autistic teenager was hell and my rats were the best emotional support animals I could have asked for. I highly recommend rats as a pet for any child with mental health problems because they truly are incredible therapy animals. Whenever I'd be having a meltdown my rats would come up to the cage door all concerned and I'd take them out and they'd lick my fingers, crawl up my chest and curl up under my chin bruxing and chittering to me. When I couldn't stand to be around people, my rats were my companions. When I couldn't speak, they understood me without words.
I’m 15 and autistic. Rats and hamsters have been my special interest for about 2 years now. I wanted to get them because 1, I love feeling responsible. 2, I’m sensible, and my parents know that so it took absolutely no time to persuade them. Being in high school and not having friends due to my autism, getting these pets have been the biggest help for me. Taking care of them and bonding with them makes me extremely happy. I’ve had them all for a year, and they’re my absolute best friends:)).
I’m actually a child and have been researching rats for 2 years and I finally got some in February. I have full responsibility and I paid for them. The only thing I don’t do is pay the vet bills. But I have 2 females and they are so healthy and happy! I also have saved up my money for a Critter Nation! We are currently looking for a used one :)
@Ash Doszczeczko I chose to research that long because I worry too much. It didn’t take much to persuade my parents. I just had to pay for everything. It was only because my dad fell in love when I explained it to them.
@Ash Doszczeczko I had to be that patient. We were in a temporary house and then we lived with my grandparents for almost a year. And we finally got settled but it took awhile to get settled and find a good breeder :)
I looked into rats when my 10 year old expressed interest. Watched all your videos, got on a 5 month wait list with a breeder and bought everything I needed. I've had my 3 boys for 4 months now and we literally couldn't love them more. Can't imagine not having rats in our home ever again
I have 6 rats 2 are mainly for my daughters that are 7 and 9. They love helping me to change the water bowl, washing small trays and toys. I supervise and teach how to make a mix etc. I absolutely adore the rats. I think if the parents themselves don't like rats then it's best not to get them kids do get bored. Me on the other hand always up for annoying my rats with kisses and cuddles and free-roam. I love spoiling them rotten and their not rats to me their my babies.
I agree that rats can help with mental health. Whenever I have have panic attacks it helps to have them running around me and playing and climbing and licking you, It calms me down a lot
when i was seven years old, i asked my mom for a hamster. and she instead got me two mice and her and i raised the mice together until they passed away when i was nine. ever since then, i've been a HUGE gerbil, mouse, and rat fan. i got three little lady mice two weeks ago, now that i'm twenty, and i watched a few mice videos you made to help me make the decision again. - when i was sixteen, my mom also got me two gerbils for christmas. the last gerbil passed away when i was nineteen and i was taking care of them on my own this time.
This was really good advice for me, as I’m planning to get 2 baby dumbos for my upcoming birthday. Thank you for your input and your incredible video guides for how to care for them! I’m so excited
I'm lara I've been convincing my parents to let me get a Rat..I was half rejected because their "weird" I personally love them and respect their nature I really hope I can get one 😊
I got my first trio 5 years ago when I was 11. Considering my age and resources, I did my best with what I had but I overall regret it. My parents were fine with me having pets so long as they didn't smell and I paid for them and all their things. At 11, my only source of income was babysitting/petsitting and mowing lawns for neighbors which was not at all lucrative or reliable. My main source of knowledge was the library (which was 6 miles away and very hard to bike to in my car-centric american city and my parents always hated driving me anywhere) which had a very small pet section. I requested all the rodent books in the library district. They were all very outdated and vague. My parents had given me and my siblings a screentime limit of 2 hours a week which made it very difficult to research anything because my 11 self cared more about catching up with my favorite show than finding the best brand of rat food. My parents also didn't allow me to use RUclips until I started attending public school part-time at 13. Anyway, somehow I managed to gather enough information to not kill my first rats, but I haven't even started on the financial and maintenance aspects. Rats are expensive. That's no secret. Even now when I have a real job, I spend a significant amount of my paycheck on my rats and other pets. I saved for months until I could afford to buy 60 lbs of mazuri rat food in bulk (I no longer use that food) and lots of bulk bedding. 11 yo me thought I could avoid recurring costs by stocking up, nope! I made most of their accessories myself. My first rats were craigslist rescues, and they had awful respiratory infections which I didn't notice initially. I had saved $100 as a vet fund before getting them, but that wasn't even enough to cover an appointment for the three of them. It took me forever to save enough to get them seen, and my parents refused to drive 40 minutes to the nearest vet that actually knew how to treat exotics and I had to make do with one nearby that "Yeah I guess we can see your rats" and during the appointment even my 11 yo self could tell the vet wasn't familiar with rats just by the way they handled them. I struggled to pay for them and it was a major stresser for me. Sometimes I couldn't afford food for them so I'd sneak downstairs after my parents went to bed and make a crude mix out of cereals, seeds, and grains to tide them over until I could buy more food (my parents never let me take "human food", aka fresh greens or cereals or anything as a treat or just a varied diet, because they said I'd promised to pay for every penny when it came to my rats). The whole thing stressed me out so much it kept me up and sometimes I'd just cry because I knew I wasn't taking the best care of them. In hindsight, the best thing to do would have been to rehome them, but for whatever reason I never considered it. I simply couldn't make enough money, I made $4 an hour babysitting a couple times a month and mowing lawns and other jobs were harder to find cause I'm a girl and I was actually told several times that I couldn't mow a lawn as well as a boy. Then I burnt out and became depressed for many reasons and couldn't find the motivation to take care of my rats. I still loved them, and they were actually what kept me from offing myself on a few occasions (I'm doing much better now but my middle school years were dark), but they spent their time in a disgusting cage and would often go several hours at a time without access to water. Even without mental health issues, rats take a lot of time and maintaining a clean cage alone would probably be beyond most 11 yos. The worst thing that happened was on one Sunday afternoon I was about to take my rats out for free roam time when I saw one of my rats, Pinkie, with blood all over his face and soaked into the bedding near him. The blood was coming from his nose and mouth. He was still alive and somewhat active. I knew he needed to see a vet immediately and ran to tell my parents. They initially said no he was just a rat and he was probably just old (he was only about 1 year old). After me crying and begging they agreed to drive me to the vets tomorrow because sUnDaY iS tHe LoRdS dAy. I think Jesus values the lives of animals and the mental well-being of 11 yos, but maybe that's just me. The next day (Pinkie survived the night and I didn't sleep at all) I somehow convinced my mom to take me and Pinkie to the exotic vet instead of the usual place. They were wonderful despite the circumstances. They took some radio graphs and told me he had a very bad infection that had essentially taken over his nasal cavity and the surrounding flesh and that's what was bleeding. They recommended euthanasia. Anyway, since then I've been able to make more money, do more research, not be dependent on my parents for transportation, and overall become a much better rat parent. I'm very proud of how I care for my current pets. But never again would I want any animals or kids to deal with what me and my first rats had to. TLDR: kids are not able to sufficiently care for rats or other animals. An adult must be willing to take care of and pay for the rats, not just the kid(s). Though I do think that, starting at 13, some kids can be good rat parents.
My mom made me do 3 years worth of thinking and researching before I could get rats. I had to buy the cage and everything else in the cage and for them to make sure I was really ready for them. I just got my boys Maverick and Goose about a week ago and they’re living their best lives.
I had my first rats in primary school. As a little boy, I was really lonely, and my autism made it hard for me to make friends. But my rats, Jumbo and Mischief, were my best buddies. My foster parents took care of cleaning them out, making sure they had trips to the vets, and a spacious enclosure. I spent so much time with those rats, and the oldest one lived past 3 years. I still miss them now and I'm in my 20s. They were also from a breeder so hand reared and therefore very comfortable around children compared to rats bought from a store.
Your final comments on this video have helped me understand why I have bought rat stickers to go on my new walking stick haha. I suppose I had better just embrace the fact that rats are now my life. As someone who was diagnosed with an autoimmune arthritis recently (and in my 20s) my rats who I have had for a couple of months now have seriously been the light of my life. They are manageable for me even when I'm having bad days, and they have managed to pretty much litter train themselves which makes the regular cleanout much easier. Their personalities though are just the best, I think it only took a few days and they had completely stolen my heart. I'm completely hooked and am looking forward to owning rats for many years to come.
I’m 12 and I have rats of my own but I don’t think younger kids like 7 and under because like you said I would get worried that they wouldn’t take care of them after a few weeks.But then again my rats love me and love cuddles with others but that’s only because I socialised them a lot when they were young
100% agree with everything you said! And the ending note about rats becoming your personality... Yep. One of my personality traits is now rats. 😂 Also who is this cutie at 4:56? I don't remember you having a rat that looked like that? 👀 Or is that clip from somewhere else?
The vet is a very important part of this decision. My parents seem to think that the vet is for blatantly obvious emergencies only. My childhood cat is having issues at the moment and she lives with my parents who won't take her to the vet so I plan on having my sister who also lives there take my cat to the vet because I live in a different state but if I were still a kid I wouldn't be able to pay for my cats get fees. Take your pets to the vet!
my sister got a rat (unfortunately just one- they got her from a pet store and went back the next week to get her a cagemate but they had completely stopped selling fancy rats) with her now husband when living with friends, and a couple months later they moved into an apartment complex that explicitly did not allow rodents so she gave her to me and i absolutely fell in love. i was around 15 at the time and i admit, even beyond being a single rat she didnt have nearly enough enrichment and other things in her life, but i still loved her desperately. she hung out on my shoulder and in my lap a lot while i was on my computer, and i loved everything about her. now, being 22 and having done so (so, so) much research, i plan on hopefully getting rats (three this time!) sometime next year from a local breeder, and to absolutely spoil them to make right by the first rat that stole my heart. theyre such precious creatures and ive never forgotten how much joy my first rat gave me, i really have dreamed about having more ever since. and since i have constraints that keep me from getting rats until sometime next year ive been binging your videos as both more research and to scratch my ratty itch since i cant look at, hold, and play with any real rats right now lol.
I would say no if they're the sole caretaker, but yes if they get help. My younger brother is obsessed with one of my rats and she is definitely "his rat"(she's mine and lives with my other rats but they spend a lot of time together) he's 9 and in love with her.
Totally agree emi. When I was 7 I really wanted a pet and I hadn’t done any research since I was only a kid and I just want a pet. I want mice but when we got to the store my dad told me to get gerbils. He hadn’t done any research and nor had I. I loved them but I am totally kicking myself now and I feel super bad :/ (rip Ben and Jerry). Now I am older I want to get a pet again. Younger me wouldn’t be able to care for a pet properly but now as a teen I am ready and have done my research as well as making sure that my mum is on board which she is! I am so excited however we are getting the living room done up first (so they don’t inhale the paint fumes and trigger there lungs) Anyway sorry for the paragraph, Long story short I agree that if a parent doesn’t want the pet then they should get it knowing they don’t want to care for it. :) Edit: im getting the same cage you had before and I’m getting them from a breeder rather than a pet store :)
I've had three pet rats for 2 months and my 3 years old son loves them so much (even if he calls them the mices 😅). We went to the vet a few weeks ago and our vet said rats were the best small pet for a kid because they don't bite and don't require as much caring time than other animal. Even if the rats aren't as much bonded to us as I would like for the moment, they are indeed very gentle with my son all the time 😍
I got 4 weeks ago my 3 boys too. My 3 years old call them mice too xD. It is 'her' mice. I took care of them but George, Richard and Edmond (peppa pig) are hers she name them. Even if they play a lot at night and that they are in her bedroom, i can for the first time now sleep without her. She was scared alone in her room but now she have her 3 boys. Really sweet boys.
Love love love rats. I have two 9 year olds and a 12 yr old. We have 14 pet rats. The kids help with feeding filling water bottles giving treats and cleaning cages. Out of all of the rats we have it is only 3 that I feel comfortable with the kids holding thou.
I am a kid (11) And I clicked on this video to see more research since I really want to get them, I understand that this is a responsibility that's basically bigger then a dog! I love your videos! And I am watching the video now 😊
**cw: talk of mental illness** I got my first two rats at age 9. I'm autistic and really struggled socially as a kid, didn't have many friends, and didn't get much support at home. My rats helped me so much. I adopted them from the county shelter, and we immediately bonded. They helped me so much mentally. They loved me and kept me company and gave me someone to talk to. I also felt a sense of responsibility for them. I didn't want to live sometimes, but I pushed through because I knew they'd be sad and miss me if I died. I legitimately credit those little guys with saving my life. It was really hard for me when they died. I miss them so much. I'm a young adult now and still have ratties and I don't think I'll ever be without them. I'm really sensitive to some smells but the ratties never bothered me. Then again, I also ride horses, so I guess I'm kind of used to animal smells lol
I’m 18 and my guardian is very rarely home and is partially deaf, I really wanted rats so I saved up everything I had been given without letting my guardian know and got a large cage (petplanet rat and ferret cage) and bought numerous things the rats would need. I also put a couple hundred pounds aside for vet costs (and keep adding to it) and soon after, got 5 rats. I did get a 6th rat as my birth mother’s brother no longer wanted rats and was selling them. I managed to get him for free and introduced him to the other 5 within a few days (the new rat spent a few days in a Little Friends Blenham Extra Tall). They get on really well and are much quieter at night ever since the new rat joined them. I free roam them for a few hours everyday and it’s a huge responsibility. I would not recommend anyone getting rats without giving it much thought (I was thinking and planning for over a year) and having money put aside. I plan on getting more rats in the future alongside mice. I already own a hamster. I have had a few bites from one rat but I believe that just to be from hormonal aggression. There are so many pros but also so many cons. I know people who would get them without thinking or researching them in depth. Also, never buy them from pet stores or the first person on a pet selling site who has photos. I’ve had my first 5 rats for about 3 months now and never regret getting them. I’m planning on getting an apartment within the next year that allows pets and hope to expand the little family.
As an add on, your clothes will get damaged and chewed. Introductions can be difficult (mine thankfully went quite well, only one rat had a slight cut but it healed quickly and I had it checked over at the vet)
The ending video comments is me but with mice xD Mice plushies, mice stickers, mice shirts, mice wallpapers. We did have pet rats growing up but I always felt rats were too large for me to hold.
I’m 13, and I’m getting 2 rats in march, I’ve researched for months and I have enough money to buy things like food, toys, hammocks, and everything inside their cage! Im 100% sure I’m going to be able to take care of them properly, and I have time to free roam and clean the cage after school.
I've got 6 boys at the moment. I've had 8 in total. Out of 8 I've had 2 that don't care for attention or snuggles and can be quite moody. The other 6 are so loving and cuddly. They've all been brought up together and the same way, therefore I thought it was me for so long, but nope they all just have amazing individual personalities just like us!
You're so right about how it can be traumatizing when the child knows the animal needs more than the parents are willing to let them give. Sadly my parents were the type to not think an animal that only cost $5 to get from a pet store was worth taking to the vet (they were obviously also okay with getting them from a pet store, too). A pet for a child isn't just the child's pet because as you said a nine year old is probably not going to have the wherewithal to know when something is wrong. It's up to the parents to keep an eye on that because these are living animals that deserve care.
I have two rats! I'm 13, have done proper research, etc. Their names are Jasper and Aero. I am trying to get them used to me at the moment, I've got to the point where I can get my hand close to Aero, but Jasper is still skittish. I hope within a few weeks I'm able to hold them.
I don’t think any pet is a ‘good’ pet for children, only a good pet for the family. Unfortunately it’s so common to see small pets, usually hamsters, given to kids as a “lesson in responsibility” and treated as throwaway pets who often end up mistreated or rehomed. Small pets should never be just for children, should always be the parents responsibility to make sure they’re being cared for correctly!
I think bottom line, when you're a kid, it's a family pet and not your pet regardless of the species. Because they are a financial commitment that most children can't commit to. The adult should want the pet, and the children should be willing to commit to helping and caring for them to the best of their abilities.
hey emi i got 3 rats because of you :) they are girls and sooo cute and i love them so much! ive had them for about for a week and they are already starting to trust me:) thank you so much emi :D
My opinion is it all depends on how active the parents will be in the care of the animal. When I was young (elementary to beginning of middle school) I had two ferrets who I loved so much but I was so young and ALL of the care was bestowed upon me even though one of the ferrets was my little sisters. My parents didn’t help with cage cleaning, play time, or any of the care (besides the funding of basics like food and litter). It got so bad and they were so neglected (dirty cage, no food or water for long periods of time, etc.) and it got to the point where my parents rehomed them and blamed me because I “didn’t care for them well enough”. I knew it was for the best but I miss my babies Spirit & Spook.. I’m so angry that they were robbed of being spoiled and cared for properly but there legacies live on and I care for my ratties now to my highest ability.. but I still don’t forgive myself.. I’m sure they are passed on now and getting all the nice things in animal heaven 😇
@@laradavenport903 no, like I said in my comment my parents rehomed them!! but it’s been well past their age span so they are for sure passed on now sadly..
im 14 and i got 12 wonderfull rats, 8 of them are tiny little babies that are either 19 or 20 days old (they were born on 31 july 2022), 2 boys and 6 girls and the other 4 are my beautifull girls bean, spike, pickle and bagel (bagel is the one that was pregnant btw) i really like owning rats even though it is a bit difficult bc they chew on everything they find so make sure ur fav things are out of the way of the cage or when they are free roaming around ur room or bed :)
i have a very random question but my mouse seems to be doing something very odd He is using his wheel with his front legs. He stands outside of his wheel and stands against it and runs with his front legs whilst standing on his back legs? Why is he doing this I'm just wondering if it's normal?
i got my first rats on my 10th birthday! only after a year of begging and convincing my mom i knew how to take care of them though haha. they were my world
i would say im a kid, and i have 3 rats in a double critter nation! as long as you can dedicate the time, money, and effort, rats are pretty cool pets :D
I am 11 and have a lot of pets in my room such as two Guinea pigs , a cockatiel , two mice , a Syrian hamster, a Chinese hamster and 8 fish and my opinion the smell isn’t that bad as long as u keep on top of it ❤
As a little kid (12) I REALLY want rats but I do understand I cannot currently get them because my family is in a not-so-good financial situation and my mum's scared of rats, though I watch your channel and a couple other channels SO much, I read articles and watch nature video about rats, basically do my best to learn how to be the best owner, I think of it as preparing for thw future (I plan on owning rats when I get older, though there is no guarantee)
Getting 3-4 rats for my Christmas/my 16th birthday. It’s for both because I realise getting everything I want for them would be cost a lot of money. It’s my first time getting them. I talked to an employee at a garden centre where they sell rats. They apparently handle them and get them from a local breeder. I actually believe it because they knew their exact birth dates and seemed to know a lot about rats. They also said they were trying to get companies to sell more suitable products for them which is good. I have 2 months until then, been doing a lotta research and still going. Gonna get the PetPlanet cage you had/have (not sure if you still have it.) :)
Unfortunately no reputable breeder would be comfortable selling their rats through a third party and a ‘local’ breeder can be a cover up for a rodent mill. I know a few people who have fallen for this and have unfortunately ended up with quite sick rats
@@Emiology Honestly that makes sense. Thank you for letting me know. I did watch your videos on how to find a good breeder, which is especially useful since I live in the UK too. So I’ll try look for one :))
as a 13 year old i'm okay with younger teens having rats as long as theyre responsible kids. i have 3 rats and they have a cage that is bigger than the minimum size but i'm looking to upgrade their cage since mine are getting close to 2 years old (i got rescues). my rat's life is great thanks to u! thank u
I’m finally getting rats again after a 4.5 year hiatus. I’m so excited for my 8 and 4 year old to experience them too! However, they’re 120% my responsibility.
Hi your videos have been a great help with great info so have subbed to u , do you have any tips please for jumpy nervous rats , we have 2 new rats around 12 weeks both girls but one of them is very nervous and very jumpy and seems scared of everything
I’m 14 and my rats are very young right now because I just got them there names are possum and dumpling 2 female I’ve done over 30hrs of research I love them❤️
Yesterday i took my rats out to freeroam on my bed, they had so fun and i even played with my hands (they were doing that thing with their teeth when they're happy, i forgot what it's called) later i felt bad bc lately i've been focused in my studies so much that i kinda forgot them 😢 (dont worry, they have food and water and a lot of stuff in the cage to play with) i've promised myself to be with them atleast one time a day now bc i just feel so bad 😭
I'm a teen and work a job on the weekend and i normally spend my money on my little ratty baby's. They have a huge cage in my room, honestly there cage is bigger than my bed I love them so muchh
I definitely agree but the parents need to be fully prepared to take on ALL of the care for the rats. As long as the parents and kids are educated on all of their care and for the parents to spend and provide everything they need and a fund for vet visits. It shouldnt be an impulse buy nor should any animal be, but kids need to show their able to be responsible but parents need to be realistic in what they will actually do especially how your children are. My daughter and I have been researching for almost a year just to be educated but we are still learning and always willing to learn. So hopefully we will be getting rats wihin a year or so. But we will see. Thanks for your videos theyre helpful and enjoyable
Also Most parents are scared of rats && usually won’t face their fear but if they were willing I’d have them be properly educated and “face their fear” but that’s rare if they’re willing and speaking from experience I was scared of rats before I saved them I faced my fear now I have so many.
I thankfully get terrified in my room alone at night. My old hamster Theodore, he made so much noise at night I fell asleep so much faster, I love having the extra life in my room knowing i am not alone ❤ I am so excited to get my two rats. And I do have a question. What is a good carrier to bring them too the vet and from the breeders?
Rats make amazing pets for kids, IMO. My kids are 7,3, and 1. I have 2 female rats (along with 2 cats and 2 dogs) and my(older 2) kids love to help care for them and play with them. They are definitely my favorite small animal and my kids enjoy them so much too! I had rats when I was a teenager and wanted them again, my partner at the time wasnt into the whole rat thingso we got guinea pigs which Ill never do again lol but the rats are perfect and Ill always keep them 😊 As long as the parent monitors the interaction between the rats and the kids, and the parents takes the role of caring for them theyre amazing 🤩
My mom had rats as a teenager and she has fun stories of them stealing her spaghetti while she ate or pencils while doing homework. She found out that she was allergic to them a while later but enjoyed them very much before her allergies got too bad. From the stories she has told about them, it sounds like they had free range over her bedroom and were very good at escaping the cage. This was the 80s when there wasn't as much access to researching how to care for them so no hate for her.
I’m 15 I have two female rats and I look after them myself my mum pays for the things they get though but she loves them and they are really spoiled lol my rat had a ear infection about two weeks ago and I cared for her myself giving her the medicine and now she’s better I think I’m pretty responsible in owning rats and some people my age I know wouldn’t all depends on maturity but no children should have pets alone if they are not mature enough and do not know how to care for them
I'm an adult but still living at home and my mom was not prepared for the smell😬 I'm not /not/ allowed to have rats after my four boys died but I decided to wait until I move out to get more rats anyways because I was sick of her complaining all the time lol. My advice for any kids is definitely make sure your parents are aware of what they're signing up for before getting them. Vet bills, keeping more than one rat at a time, big cages that take up lots of room and can be expensive, all the things to put in that cage to make it fun for the rats, regular costs of food and bedding, etc etc. My mom is more willing to put in those big costs for dogs and cats since they live longer and are for the whole family to enjoy but she didn't like spending that money on rats she was personally scared of and stayed away from.
I got a pet rat I named Kiki as a kid she learned how to get out of her cage in 3 days just from watching me open. She would crawl hop around my room looking for stuff to build a nest in the corner of my room under my bed she like climbing and crawling on me just to hang out on my shoulder
hi! at the moment I’m 13 so I’m going to wait a year to spend time researching on pet rats more and more before I turn 14 (since people start working at that age here) and earn enough money for the vetting of the rats I want and their cage (as well as bedding food and toys etc) since I know my mom wouldn’t pay that much sadly. and as I research I’ll find out if the rat is really the best pet for me, so I really want to thank you for all this information !! :)) also, which season is it best to get pet rats? (Winter, summer etc)
i have been wanting rats for years now and i know i will not be getting any before i move out for myself, this makes me very sad, but i know i dont have the space and i know my parents wouldnt take me to the vet with a potential sick rat, i know this because it happend with a hamster i had two years ago. i am fifteen in less than a month, and where i live you cant really get paid for a job before sixteen, so i could get the stuff i need for rats myself even if i cant have rats now i still hope that i will happen in the future! (also the only breeder i could find was hours away)
im 12 and i have 2 rats meadow and daisy they free roam like an 1hour or sometimes more and they have a meaduim size cage and there both from breader i watch lots of videos about rats
I completely agree! My friend who's 14 got 2 females and a few months later his 12 yo (I think) sister got 2 females. It's definitely a family effort though and everyone was on board. They are going on vacation so the rats are staying with me and I get to watch them. Last time I went to their house everyday for hours but we think it will be better to bring the cage to my house since there are 4 now. What are your thoughts on bringing them to a new airspace for a week? I will run 2 air purifiers in the room. Love you Emi ❤️ thank you
I think personally it should be fine if you treat them like new rats and introduce them to the environment slowly. I’d still recommend doing some research on it to make it as stress less as possible. (I’m 14 and have been owning rats since I was 7)
@@kimiskingdom798 I'm obviously going to watch their behavior and make sure they are okay with me and give them space. I know 2 of them well but the other 2 are new so I'll make sure they aren't too stressed
@@SLURPZZZ4461 I think they should be fine with new air, but to make as less stressful for them if possible, have the person go round to your house the day before the rats go to you and have them leave some clothes that they’ve worn and put them near the cage so it still smells familiar.
Im 12 y/o and i asked my dad if i could have pet rats (i asked my dad cause my moms dead) i even made an presentation but he just said no cause there disgusting. I also have enough money cause i always put my money away for it (i have like 400£ right now). My sister also thinks rats are disgusting.
so for me, I think personally I got my rats when I was 10 and I had to do so much research I researched. What is the best care for rats for about a year and I presented a presentation to my parents and they decided that they would get them for me as a Christmas present and it really depends on how responsible your child is I don’t think you should get them if you are 9 and under, and if you do let your children get rats you should have them do a lot of the research on their own.
I got my first rat pair when I was 13. My Mom had my sister and I research them and save our money for them. I'm now 38 and still have rats. I also have two kids and I personally think rats make amazing pets for kids. That said parents need to be prepared to take charge of their care.
I'm 16 and I've had rats for over 2 years now. I am completely responsible for them, the only thing I'm not responsible is paying for them (my parents buy them everything they need). I don't ever regret getting rats at all. It is the best decision I ever made but it is a LOT OF WORK to treat them well and put their needs before your own like I do. If your a teen my age wondering if you should get rats, my answer is I don't recommend it. It will not be getting any more rats because I cannot afford to care for them when school gets harder in years 11 and 12. For a slightly younger teen where school is perhaps not a big a deal, then yes I think they are great. But it DEFINITELY takes a special person to pull it off.
As a younger rat owner (12) I did research for 1 and a half years to get rats, my dad said ' no, no they stink and make a mess ' i studied every day, before school, after school, the weekend in my own time, etc, I proved my dad wrong, I got a big cage, a good, natural diet, I got 2, everyone says ' everyone starts of bad/with bad care ' no you just didn't research, I still research, etc I'm saving for a big cage like yours, my cage is still big and over the maximum the only reason we got that because it's cheap and fits my small room, we are re-doing my room soon to make it appear bigger my bed is going to be up high so I can open my window and have space for my rats with a big, good sized cage. I have foraging toys, enrichment, and a natural cage set up my care is getting better, the cage is changing I'm getting more toys and making it more crowded, I searched what genders were easier like males have hormonal aggression more than females and that's why i got females, nurturing animals is expensive, my rat's bottles aren't as loud as people say.
also, you probably won't see this I've recently lost my rat, blossom she is the white rat in my pfp, it was a horrible experience but people have said when you get more rats get 2 or more I cannot convince him to get another 2, he says just 1, just 1 I explain and explain why to get 2 more he says that my older rat, opal the grey and white rat will be neglected and pushed away he doesn't understand shes been there longer and she will show whos boss, etc, you can do a video about this or just comment, im also very sure how to bond but im not sure what to do when they reject eachother
What I don’t see a lot is that as a 16 year old who has a job and earns my own money (like enough to pay vet bills, cage, a lot of expensive stuff they need) is info on being on the line of almost being 18, but not being 18. Most people talk about young kids or 12-14 year olds. So I am asking breeders if they’re there what you do about that?
Sorry I don’t understand your question, are breeders not willing to sell to you because you’re 16? I think the issue is you’re still not considered a legal adult and legally responsible until 18, you’re often not the home owner so still need parental permission unless you’ve moved out and maybe some people are concerned with what will happen to to the rats when some people go to university or life changes a lot in the next few years. As a rescue I don’t have any issues rehoming to anyone of any age as long as they show they’re responsible but still need a quick contact with parent / guardian or the home owner just to confirm it’s all good
I have a 9 year old daughter and she absolutely loves the rats. But I would not let her be solely responsible for them at her age. Not only does she get bored of the regular caretaking, but since having rats I have had to deal with them getting health issues, aging, difficult life/death decisions, handling tricky introductions, territorial aggression, hormonal aggression, etc. There are some stressful aspects to rat ownership and I wouldn't put that on a child without the full support of the parent.
Definitely! It’s a lot for an adult to handle, nevermind a child. I feel for any kid who’s going through these things and trying to explain it to their parents and they’ve got no clue the severity of the situation whether it’s hormones or a certain health issue 🥺
I'm a child age 12 and I have 2 females and I'm getting more. I got my females from pets at home but they are such good rats. I'm getting baby rats from a breeder in Preston
I really want pet rats but I know my mom hates pretty much most animals, I don't think they'd grow on her. I also don't really have somewhere that their cage would go other than my room, which I already know the cons. I've done a lot of research but I'm not sure if I'd be able to give my rats the life they'd deserve :(
I’m 16 and we have 22 pets right now and I’m responsible for 19 of them by myself. I don’t recommend. I have to plan my entire life around them. Where I go to collage, which state I can live, where I can work, when and where I can go on vacation, etc. I can’t move out as young as other teens might because I have to have a job that can support all of them, and a place to live that will except all of them. I got my first reptile at 15 and he should live until I’m 35. I started owning exotics at 13. I actually recommend reptiles more for kids than rats and other rodents. Being the person that takes care of the rats has been traumatizing. I’ve had to deal with some bad health issues, and always end up feeling like it’s my fault if they get sick, hurt, or pass away. I don’t think anyone should be the main caretaker of an animal until they are at least 13. As someone who started owning pets at that age, they’re not responsible enough yet to do it alone. I didn’t start being what I consider a good pet owner until I was 15, and everyone says I’m very mature for my age. But even if they’re responsible, they shouldn’t be the ones dealing with their animal when it’s sick or injured until maybe 16 (but it’s still traumatizing for me).
question: is it normal for rats to squeak very loudly? one of my rats is extremely loud when he squeaks and it worries me. I’ve never found injuries on him, and he does it when one of the other rats is just trying to take a toy away from him or pushing him out of the way of the water bottle. i know squeaking is pretty normal but he sounds far more loud and upset than the others
@@Emiology I figured. I’ve never found any injuries on him and they’re all brothers who have been together since birth so there’s not much reason for aggression anyway. i think he is just whiny
i definitely think they can make good pets for kids to handle and play with but not be their soul care taker unless they are 13+. im 14 and i have two boys and i fully take care of them. i do everything for them and they are living a good happy life in a dcn with lits of fun toys and a great diet. and i do it all exept pay for them and im fully capable but i think 1-2 years ago i wpuldnt have been able to do it
Hi emy. I watched your videos and they reassured me that I want rats and I was wondering if the rat and ferret big pet planet cage would be a good starting cage and a good cage for 2 rats or a possible trio?
Hello I am 11 years old and really want rats I hav not asked my parents yet and I know it is a 50/50 chance of them saying yes and I agree that making a video on telling kids how to make thier parents purchase something so expensive is unrealistic. And I was wondering if mabye you could make a video on pros and cons of having rats. Just si when I do talk to my parents I am able to tell them all of the good and bad things and how the bad things can or cannot be solved.
My parents promised to pay for good cage, etc. but then they got me one for 20 pounds that isnt even good for a hamster and said it was good enough:( didn’t get me more rats when my ray was left alone and didn’t let me give him up nor did they bring him to the vets. RIP cookie.
Here’s one thing I’ve thought about for the pair of rats my plan is when sadly one of my rats die I’d go to either a shelter, Craigslist Or Gumtree (if the rat is only a few months old I’d just go to a breeder with similar aged rats). Then house those rats together giving Both rats a hopefully better life
It's best to try and do that before one of your rats passes away, theres not always rats available when you need them and you can end up with a rat being alone for a few weeks :(
I want pet rats I’m 12 but I think I could handle them after doing so much research n my mum is gonna get a good big tall cage n I have a hamster who I look after by myself
I’d say yes to that but as long as the parents are willing to pay for a good cage ,toys and multiple pet rats basically whatever they need
Yes
Yeah, when I was younger my mom said, "ok but only one" and got the cheapest cage at the store cause its "just a rat".
@@xBloodxFangx I got my first rats from a pet store and I was looking to upgrade their cage and the employe showed me a ‘rat cage’ that was in reality a downgrade but my pet rats did get the cage I was looking for thankfully
As a child (I'm 12), I love owning my two girls. I get them out after school every day and they are so funny and I love giving them hugs. My mum helps me clean them out as I'm a bit slow doing it on my own. I also like the responsibility of owning them. I told my parents that I wanted a pet that I could take care of and be responsible for. I looked into hamsters and realised I wanted something a bit different. I searched "good pets for kids" and rats came up! After a lots more research I convinced my parents to let me have them. I'm so grateful for my rats and I am getting two more babies later this year. :)
Same!
I’m 15 and I’m in the same boat as you! I own 3 pet rats and 1 hamster! I’ve never had a pet, not even a cat or dog, so it took a really long time to consider if I would be able to take care of so many pets on my own. They’re all in my room, and it’s even a bigger responsibility for me because my mum or sister don’t like animals like that, so as soon as I got them I knew I responsible for taking care of them and I loved that. I’ve always been sensible ever since I was a little kid and have always known how to handle fragile beings as I babysat my newborn cousin a lot from 13-14. I’m glad there are other young people who like to take care of pets like rats, etc too ! Because I always get made fun of it, haha.
As a child (11) I’m going to get 2 rats my mom doesn’t really wanna help but I’m good with that
14 now..
From a breeder perspective: Do I home to places with kids/for kids? Yes but the process is different slightly. If the person applying to me in under 18 I do request to chat with the parent. Ideally I like to do this in person so I have the parent and child come visit me at the rattery. This way I can see the child interact with the rats and get to chat and know the parent and this lets me know if the home will be a good fit for my rats. Most who have applied to me in these type of situations, the parent is actually really behind the idea and ends up as much in love with the rats as the child! Rat shows are also a great and free way to introduce children to rats. While helping do PR at many rat shows I've chatted to loads of kids and parents about them. At these shows you can let the kids hold and interact with the rats and I remember once that a child (who had been adamant they wanted rats) then refused to even engage and hold the rat I was offering them. At least these parents got to see how their child would react without having to buy and then get rid of a pet. Lastly as a breeder, if I am homing to a child household i will always place them my more confident rats. While the child will be shown the correct and safe way to hold them, they need to be given confident rats to keep up with a childs busy hands. A shy or reserved rat would not be suited to a child home
I’m 13 and I’m getting rats in a few days. And I think you should be 11-12 or older because if I look back to a few years ago I would not be able to do the amount of research needed to take care of them. And of course the parents need to understand ho to care for them as well. Great video ❤️
true
I am 10-15 and I think I do a good job taking care of them I spent hours and days on research so I think that’s somewhat true ♥︎
For any kids younger than 12 it’s definitely all on the parents. I love this video is a conversation for parents, and not kids
Have you got your rats? How are they doing? ☺️ also any tips to convince parents to let you get rats? I’ve wanted them for so long but my dad’s not a fan…
@@ripplemoon249 in my experience, if a parent isn’t on board or needs extensive convincing to get any pet, it’s not going to be a safe and caring environment. Especially once vet visits come up. I suggest waiting until you’re an adult and/or have the ability to financially /independently make your own decisions without parental involvement
I had a few rats when I was a kid (8-12) my parents helped me with them and we did all we could but they kept dying one after another so I stopped getting them. They were all from the pet store which I think was the problem. I now have 2 rats from a breeder! Had them since march and they’re still happy and healthy! :)
I got my first rats when I was 12 and I think that's a good age. I'd been doing research for a year before getting them though so my rat journey really started at 11. Rats were literally a lifesaver for me growing up. Being an undiagnosed autistic teenager was hell and my rats were the best emotional support animals I could have asked for. I highly recommend rats as a pet for any child with mental health problems because they truly are incredible therapy animals. Whenever I'd be having a meltdown my rats would come up to the cage door all concerned and I'd take them out and they'd lick my fingers, crawl up my chest and curl up under my chin bruxing and chittering to me. When I couldn't stand to be around people, my rats were my companions. When I couldn't speak, they understood me without words.
I’m 15 and autistic. Rats and hamsters have been my special interest for about 2 years now. I wanted to get them because 1, I love feeling responsible. 2, I’m sensible, and my parents know that so it took absolutely no time to persuade them. Being in high school and not having friends due to my autism, getting these pets have been the biggest help for me. Taking care of them and bonding with them makes me extremely happy. I’ve had them all for a year, and they’re my absolute best friends:)).
As a child my pet rats worked like magic to calm me down and help me focus
I’m actually a child and have been researching rats for 2 years and I finally got some in February. I have full responsibility and I paid for them. The only thing I don’t do is pay the vet bills. But I have 2 females and they are so healthy and happy! I also have saved up my money for a Critter Nation! We are currently looking for a used one :)
Same here bestie
@@Andiswa_Sidwaba Yas! Rats are the best!
@Ash Doszczeczko same my girls were absolutely terrified but now they’re just fine
I hope jk they’re completely fine and beautiful
@Ash Doszczeczko I chose to research that long because I worry too much. It didn’t take much to persuade my parents. I just had to pay for everything. It was only because my dad fell in love when I explained it to them.
@Ash Doszczeczko I had to be that patient. We were in a temporary house and then we lived with my grandparents for almost a year. And we finally got settled but it took awhile to get settled and find a good breeder :)
I looked into rats when my 10 year old expressed interest. Watched all your videos, got on a 5 month wait list with a breeder and bought everything I needed.
I've had my 3 boys for 4 months now and we literally couldn't love them more. Can't imagine not having rats in our home ever again
Love the last part lol - I had originally wanted ferrets, but I’m so grateful for my rats instead. They’ve changed my life
I have 6 rats 2 are mainly for my daughters that are 7 and 9. They love helping me to change the water bowl, washing small trays and toys. I supervise and teach how to make a mix etc. I absolutely adore the rats. I think if the parents themselves don't like rats then it's best not to get them kids do get bored. Me on the other hand always up for annoying my rats with kisses and cuddles and free-roam. I love spoiling them rotten and their not rats to me their my babies.
I agree that rats can help with mental health. Whenever I have have panic attacks it helps to have them running around me and playing and climbing and licking you, It calms me down a lot
Aww ☺️
when i was seven years old, i asked my mom for a hamster. and she instead got me two mice and her and i raised the mice together until they passed away when i was nine. ever since then, i've been a HUGE gerbil, mouse, and rat fan. i got three little lady mice two weeks ago, now that i'm twenty, and i watched a few mice videos you made to help me make the decision again.
- when i was sixteen, my mom also got me two gerbils for christmas. the last gerbil passed away when i was nineteen and i was taking care of them on my own this time.
This was really good advice for me, as I’m planning to get 2 baby dumbos for my upcoming birthday. Thank you for your input and your incredible video guides for how to care for them! I’m so excited
I'm lara I've been convincing my parents to let me get a Rat..I was half rejected because their "weird" I personally love them and respect their nature I really hope I can get one 😊
When I was in 7th grade we had a rat as a school pet and she was so friendly and slept through all the loud noises made in the classroom.
Nice video, we've been watching lot's of yours in preparation for getting ours in early September. Thanks for all your advice 👍
I got my first trio 5 years ago when I was 11. Considering my age and resources, I did my best with what I had but I overall regret it. My parents were fine with me having pets so long as they didn't smell and I paid for them and all their things. At 11, my only source of income was babysitting/petsitting and mowing lawns for neighbors which was not at all lucrative or reliable. My main source of knowledge was the library (which was 6 miles away and very hard to bike to in my car-centric american city and my parents always hated driving me anywhere) which had a very small pet section. I requested all the rodent books in the library district. They were all very outdated and vague. My parents had given me and my siblings a screentime limit of 2 hours a week which made it very difficult to research anything because my 11 self cared more about catching up with my favorite show than finding the best brand of rat food. My parents also didn't allow me to use RUclips until I started attending public school part-time at 13. Anyway, somehow I managed to gather enough information to not kill my first rats, but I haven't even started on the financial and maintenance aspects.
Rats are expensive. That's no secret. Even now when I have a real job, I spend a significant amount of my paycheck on my rats and other pets. I saved for months until I could afford to buy 60 lbs of mazuri rat food in bulk (I no longer use that food) and lots of bulk bedding. 11 yo me thought I could avoid recurring costs by stocking up, nope! I made most of their accessories myself. My first rats were craigslist rescues, and they had awful respiratory infections which I didn't notice initially. I had saved $100 as a vet fund before getting them, but that wasn't even enough to cover an appointment for the three of them. It took me forever to save enough to get them seen, and my parents refused to drive 40 minutes to the nearest vet that actually knew how to treat exotics and I had to make do with one nearby that "Yeah I guess we can see your rats" and during the appointment even my 11 yo self could tell the vet wasn't familiar with rats just by the way they handled them. I struggled to pay for them and it was a major stresser for me. Sometimes I couldn't afford food for them so I'd sneak downstairs after my parents went to bed and make a crude mix out of cereals, seeds, and grains to tide them over until I could buy more food (my parents never let me take "human food", aka fresh greens or cereals or anything as a treat or just a varied diet, because they said I'd promised to pay for every penny when it came to my rats). The whole thing stressed me out so much it kept me up and sometimes I'd just cry because I knew I wasn't taking the best care of them. In hindsight, the best thing to do would have been to rehome them, but for whatever reason I never considered it. I simply couldn't make enough money, I made $4 an hour babysitting a couple times a month and mowing lawns and other jobs were harder to find cause I'm a girl and I was actually told several times that I couldn't mow a lawn as well as a boy.
Then I burnt out and became depressed for many reasons and couldn't find the motivation to take care of my rats. I still loved them, and they were actually what kept me from offing myself on a few occasions (I'm doing much better now but my middle school years were dark), but they spent their time in a disgusting cage and would often go several hours at a time without access to water. Even without mental health issues, rats take a lot of time and maintaining a clean cage alone would probably be beyond most 11 yos.
The worst thing that happened was on one Sunday afternoon I was about to take my rats out for free roam time when I saw one of my rats, Pinkie, with blood all over his face and soaked into the bedding near him. The blood was coming from his nose and mouth. He was still alive and somewhat active. I knew he needed to see a vet immediately and ran to tell my parents. They initially said no he was just a rat and he was probably just old (he was only about 1 year old). After me crying and begging they agreed to drive me to the vets tomorrow because sUnDaY iS tHe LoRdS dAy. I think Jesus values the lives of animals and the mental well-being of 11 yos, but maybe that's just me. The next day (Pinkie survived the night and I didn't sleep at all) I somehow convinced my mom to take me and Pinkie to the exotic vet instead of the usual place. They were wonderful despite the circumstances. They took some radio graphs and told me he had a very bad infection that had essentially taken over his nasal cavity and the surrounding flesh and that's what was bleeding. They recommended euthanasia.
Anyway, since then I've been able to make more money, do more research, not be dependent on my parents for transportation, and overall become a much better rat parent. I'm very proud of how I care for my current pets. But never again would I want any animals or kids to deal with what me and my first rats had to.
TLDR: kids are not able to sufficiently care for rats or other animals. An adult must be willing to take care of and pay for the rats, not just the kid(s). Though I do think that, starting at 13, some kids can be good rat parents.
My mom made me do 3 years worth of thinking and researching before I could get rats. I had to buy the cage and everything else in the cage and for them to make sure I was really ready for them. I just got my boys Maverick and Goose about a week ago and they’re living their best lives.
those are top tier rat names
I had my first rats in primary school. As a little boy, I was really lonely, and my autism made it hard for me to make friends. But my rats, Jumbo and Mischief, were my best buddies. My foster parents took care of cleaning them out, making sure they had trips to the vets, and a spacious enclosure. I spent so much time with those rats, and the oldest one lived past 3 years. I still miss them now and I'm in my 20s. They were also from a breeder so hand reared and therefore very comfortable around children compared to rats bought from a store.
Your final comments on this video have helped me understand why I have bought rat stickers to go on my new walking stick haha. I suppose I had better just embrace the fact that rats are now my life. As someone who was diagnosed with an autoimmune arthritis recently (and in my 20s) my rats who I have had for a couple of months now have seriously been the light of my life. They are manageable for me even when I'm having bad days, and they have managed to pretty much litter train themselves which makes the regular cleanout much easier. Their personalities though are just the best, I think it only took a few days and they had completely stolen my heart. I'm completely hooked and am looking forward to owning rats for many years to come.
I’m 12 and I have rats of my own but I don’t think younger kids like 7 and under because like you said I would get worried that they wouldn’t take care of them after a few weeks.But then again my rats love me and love cuddles with others but that’s only because I socialised them a lot when they were young
100% agree with everything you said! And the ending note about rats becoming your personality... Yep. One of my personality traits is now rats. 😂
Also who is this cutie at 4:56? I don't remember you having a rat that looked like that? 👀 Or is that clip from somewhere else?
A good spot 👀
@@Emiology Oh my gosh! 👀❤
The vet is a very important part of this decision. My parents seem to think that the vet is for blatantly obvious emergencies only. My childhood cat is having issues at the moment and she lives with my parents who won't take her to the vet so I plan on having my sister who also lives there take my cat to the vet because I live in a different state but if I were still a kid I wouldn't be able to pay for my cats get fees. Take your pets to the vet!
my sister got a rat (unfortunately just one- they got her from a pet store and went back the next week to get her a cagemate but they had completely stopped selling fancy rats) with her now husband when living with friends, and a couple months later they moved into an apartment complex that explicitly did not allow rodents so she gave her to me and i absolutely fell in love. i was around 15 at the time and i admit, even beyond being a single rat she didnt have nearly enough enrichment and other things in her life, but i still loved her desperately. she hung out on my shoulder and in my lap a lot while i was on my computer, and i loved everything about her. now, being 22 and having done so (so, so) much research, i plan on hopefully getting rats (three this time!) sometime next year from a local breeder, and to absolutely spoil them to make right by the first rat that stole my heart. theyre such precious creatures and ive never forgotten how much joy my first rat gave me, i really have dreamed about having more ever since.
and since i have constraints that keep me from getting rats until sometime next year ive been binging your videos as both more research and to scratch my ratty itch since i cant look at, hold, and play with any real rats right now lol.
I would say no if they're the sole caretaker, but yes if they get help. My younger brother is obsessed with one of my rats and she is definitely "his rat"(she's mine and lives with my other rats but they spend a lot of time together) he's 9 and in love with her.
Totally agree emi. When I was 7 I really wanted a pet and I hadn’t done any research since I was only a kid and I just want a pet. I want mice but when we got to the store my dad told me to get gerbils. He hadn’t done any research and nor had I. I loved them but I am totally kicking myself now and I feel super bad :/ (rip Ben and Jerry). Now I am older I want to get a pet again. Younger me wouldn’t be able to care for a pet properly but now as a teen I am ready and have done my research as well as making sure that my mum is on board which she is! I am so excited however we are getting the living room done up first (so they don’t inhale the paint fumes and trigger there lungs)
Anyway sorry for the paragraph,
Long story short I agree that if a parent doesn’t want the pet then they should get it knowing they don’t want to care for it. :)
Edit: im getting the same cage you had before and I’m getting them from a breeder rather than a pet store :)
I've had three pet rats for 2 months and my 3 years old son loves them so much (even if he calls them the mices 😅).
We went to the vet a few weeks ago and our vet said rats were the best small pet for a kid because they don't bite and don't require as much caring time than other animal.
Even if the rats aren't as much bonded to us as I would like for the moment, they are indeed very gentle with my son all the time 😍
I got 4 weeks ago my 3 boys too. My 3 years old call them mice too xD. It is 'her' mice. I took care of them but George, Richard and Edmond (peppa pig) are hers she name them. Even if they play a lot at night and that they are in her bedroom, i can for the first time now sleep without her. She was scared alone in her room but now she have her 3 boys. Really sweet boys.
Love love love rats. I have two 9 year olds and a 12 yr old. We have 14 pet rats. The kids help with feeding filling water bottles giving treats and cleaning cages. Out of all of the rats we have it is only 3 that I feel comfortable with the kids holding thou.
14 rats?! Wow
I am a kid (11) And I clicked on this video to see more research since I really want to get them, I understand that this is a responsibility that's basically bigger then a dog! I love your videos! And I am watching the video now 😊
I'm not even a kid or have kids 😂 just love your videos! Always so informative
Getting my girls August 28th ❤️
**cw: talk of mental illness**
I got my first two rats at age 9. I'm autistic and really struggled socially as a kid, didn't have many friends, and didn't get much support at home. My rats helped me so much. I adopted them from the county shelter, and we immediately bonded. They helped me so much mentally. They loved me and kept me company and gave me someone to talk to. I also felt a sense of responsibility for them. I didn't want to live sometimes, but I pushed through because I knew they'd be sad and miss me if I died. I legitimately credit those little guys with saving my life. It was really hard for me when they died. I miss them so much. I'm a young adult now and still have ratties and I don't think I'll ever be without them.
I'm really sensitive to some smells but the ratties never bothered me. Then again, I also ride horses, so I guess I'm kind of used to animal smells lol
I’m 18 and my guardian is very rarely home and is partially deaf, I really wanted rats so I saved up everything I had been given without letting my guardian know and got a large cage (petplanet rat and ferret cage) and bought numerous things the rats would need. I also put a couple hundred pounds aside for vet costs (and keep adding to it) and soon after, got 5 rats. I did get a 6th rat as my birth mother’s brother no longer wanted rats and was selling them. I managed to get him for free and introduced him to the other 5 within a few days (the new rat spent a few days in a Little Friends Blenham Extra Tall). They get on really well and are much quieter at night ever since the new rat joined them. I free roam them for a few hours everyday and it’s a huge responsibility. I would not recommend anyone getting rats without giving it much thought (I was thinking and planning for over a year) and having money put aside. I plan on getting more rats in the future alongside mice. I already own a hamster. I have had a few bites from one rat but I believe that just to be from hormonal aggression. There are so many pros but also so many cons. I know people who would get them without thinking or researching them in depth. Also, never buy them from pet stores or the first person on a pet selling site who has photos. I’ve had my first 5 rats for about 3 months now and never regret getting them. I’m planning on getting an apartment within the next year that allows pets and hope to expand the little family.
As an add on, your clothes will get damaged and chewed. Introductions can be difficult (mine thankfully went quite well, only one rat had a slight cut but it healed quickly and I had it checked over at the vet)
The ending video comments is me but with mice xD Mice plushies, mice stickers, mice shirts, mice wallpapers.
We did have pet rats growing up but I always felt rats were too large for me to hold.
I’m 13, and I’m getting 2 rats in march, I’ve researched for months and I have enough money to buy things like food, toys, hammocks, and everything inside their cage! Im 100% sure I’m going to be able to take care of them properly, and I have time to free roam and clean the cage after school.
I've got 6 boys at the moment. I've had 8 in total. Out of 8 I've had 2 that don't care for attention or snuggles and can be quite moody. The other 6 are so loving and cuddly. They've all been brought up together and the same way, therefore I thought it was me for so long, but nope they all just have amazing individual personalities just like us!
You're so right about how it can be traumatizing when the child knows the animal needs more than the parents are willing to let them give. Sadly my parents were the type to not think an animal that only cost $5 to get from a pet store was worth taking to the vet (they were obviously also okay with getting them from a pet store, too). A pet for a child isn't just the child's pet because as you said a nine year old is probably not going to have the wherewithal to know when something is wrong. It's up to the parents to keep an eye on that because these are living animals that deserve care.
I have two rats! I'm 13, have done proper research, etc. Their names are Jasper and Aero. I am trying to get them used to me at the moment, I've got to the point where I can get my hand close to Aero, but Jasper is still skittish. I hope within a few weeks I'm able to hold them.
Hey I’ve been wanting rats for years and I’m a teenager, do you have any tips for convincing my parents to let me get rats?
I don’t think any pet is a ‘good’ pet for children, only a good pet for the family. Unfortunately it’s so common to see small pets, usually hamsters, given to kids as a “lesson in responsibility” and treated as throwaway pets who often end up mistreated or rehomed. Small pets should never be just for children, should always be the parents responsibility to make sure they’re being cared for correctly!
I think bottom line, when you're a kid, it's a family pet and not your pet regardless of the species. Because they are a financial commitment that most children can't commit to. The adult should want the pet, and the children should be willing to commit to helping and caring for them to the best of their abilities.
Emi, i have not seen that grey hooded rat before, have you rescued him? Is he a new one?🥺🥺
hey emi i got 3 rats because of you :) they are girls and sooo cute and i love them so much! ive had them for about for a week and they are already starting to trust me:) thank you so much emi :D
My opinion is it all depends on how active the parents will be in the care of the animal. When I was young (elementary to beginning of middle school) I had two ferrets who I loved so much but I was so young and ALL of the care was bestowed upon me even though one of the ferrets was my little sisters. My parents didn’t help with cage cleaning, play time, or any of the care (besides the funding of basics like food and litter). It got so bad and they were so neglected (dirty cage, no food or water for long periods of time, etc.) and it got to the point where my parents rehomed them and blamed me because I “didn’t care for them well enough”. I knew it was for the best but I miss my babies Spirit & Spook.. I’m so angry that they were robbed of being spoiled and cared for properly but there legacies live on and I care for my ratties now to my highest ability.. but I still don’t forgive myself.. I’m sure they are passed on now and getting all the nice things in animal heaven 😇
So you killed them????? Confused.
@@laradavenport903 no, like I said in my comment my parents rehomed them!! but it’s been well past their age span so they are for sure passed on now sadly..
Lov your vids! You rats are all so adorable!
im 14 and i got 12 wonderfull rats, 8 of them are tiny little babies that are either 19 or 20 days old (they were born on 31 july 2022), 2 boys and 6 girls and the other 4 are my beautifull girls bean, spike, pickle and bagel (bagel is the one that was pregnant btw) i really like owning rats even though it is a bit difficult bc they chew on everything they find so make sure ur fav things are out of the way of the cage or when they are free roaming around ur room or bed :)
i have a very random question but my mouse seems to be doing something very odd
He is using his wheel with his front legs. He stands outside of his wheel and stands against it and runs with his front legs whilst standing on his back legs? Why is he doing this I'm just wondering if it's normal?
i got my first rats on my 10th birthday! only after a year of begging and convincing my mom i knew how to take care of them though haha. they were my world
i would say im a kid, and i have 3 rats in a double critter nation! as long as you can dedicate the time, money, and effort, rats are pretty cool pets :D
Pudding is such a chunky boi!!! 😍🥰😍
Hey emi,
where is that brown hammock with leaves from? its so cute and would fit my cage theme so well!
Pepper Roos ☺️
I am 11 and have a lot of pets in my room such as two Guinea pigs , a cockatiel , two mice , a Syrian hamster, a Chinese hamster and 8 fish and my opinion the smell isn’t that bad as long as u keep on top of it ❤
As a little kid (12) I REALLY want rats but I do understand I cannot currently get them because my family is in a not-so-good financial situation and my mum's scared of rats, though I watch your channel and a couple other channels SO much, I read articles and watch nature video about rats, basically do my best to learn how to be the best owner, I think of it as preparing for thw future (I plan on owning rats when I get older, though there is no guarantee)
Getting 3-4 rats for my Christmas/my 16th birthday. It’s for both because I realise getting everything I want for them would be cost a lot of money. It’s my first time getting them. I talked to an employee at a garden centre where they sell rats. They apparently handle them and get them from a local breeder. I actually believe it because they knew their exact birth dates and seemed to know a lot about rats. They also said they were trying to get companies to sell more suitable products for them which is good. I have 2 months until then, been doing a lotta research and still going. Gonna get the PetPlanet cage you had/have (not sure if you still have it.) :)
Unfortunately no reputable breeder would be comfortable selling their rats through a third party and a ‘local’ breeder can be a cover up for a rodent mill. I know a few people who have fallen for this and have unfortunately ended up with quite sick rats
@@Emiology Honestly that makes sense. Thank you for letting me know. I did watch your videos on how to find a good breeder, which is especially useful since I live in the UK too. So I’ll try look for one :))
I’m the parent of 2 kids 11 and 8 and we are getting a group of 3 tomorrow . I have been doing months of research and will be their main caretaker
as a 13 year old i'm okay with younger teens having rats as long as theyre responsible kids. i have 3 rats and they have a cage that is bigger than the minimum size but i'm looking to upgrade their cage since mine are getting close to 2 years old (i got rescues). my rat's life is great thanks to u! thank u
I’m finally getting rats again after a 4.5 year hiatus. I’m so excited for my 8 and 4 year old to experience them too! However, they’re 120% my responsibility.
i love your rat cage set up!❤ can you add links for some of the stuff you have in you next video pls
I'm getting rats soon and this helped.
Thank you so much!
when are you gettin them?
I’m saying yes as long as the PROVE they are resposibe and can afford it. I am getting my rats this summer and I am 10!
Hi your videos have been a great help with great info so have subbed to u , do you have any tips please for jumpy nervous rats , we have 2 new rats around 12 weeks both girls but one of them is very nervous and very jumpy and seems scared of everything
She does have a few videos about bonding with new rats, I recommend them :)
I’m 14 and my rats are very young right now because I just got them there names are possum and dumpling 2 female I’ve done over 30hrs of research I love them❤️
Im 14 and I buy everything for my rats, I work online for my sister thats the only reason I knew I could look after them.
Yesterday i took my rats out to freeroam on my bed, they had so fun and i even played with my hands (they were doing that thing with their teeth when they're happy, i forgot what it's called) later i felt bad bc lately i've been focused in my studies so much that i kinda forgot them 😢 (dont worry, they have food and water and a lot of stuff in the cage to play with) i've promised myself to be with them atleast one time a day now bc i just feel so bad 😭
I'm a teen and work a job on the weekend and i normally spend my money on my little ratty baby's. They have a huge cage in my room, honestly there cage is bigger than my bed I love them so muchh
I definitely agree but the parents need to be fully prepared to take on ALL of the care for the rats. As long as the parents and kids are educated on all of their care and for the parents to spend and provide everything they need and a fund for vet visits. It shouldnt be an impulse buy nor should any animal be, but kids need to show their able to be responsible but parents need to be realistic in what they will actually do especially how your children are. My daughter and I have been researching for almost a year just to be educated but we are still learning and always willing to learn. So hopefully we will be getting rats wihin a year or so. But we will see. Thanks for your videos theyre helpful and enjoyable
Also Most parents are scared of rats && usually won’t face their fear but if they were willing I’d have them be properly educated and “face their fear” but that’s rare if they’re willing and speaking from experience I was scared of rats before I saved them I faced my fear now I have so many.
Me over here being a child with 3 females 👀💦
I thankfully get terrified in my room alone at night. My old hamster Theodore, he made so much noise at night I fell asleep so much faster, I love having the extra life in my room knowing i am not alone ❤
I am so excited to get my two rats. And I do have a question. What is a good carrier to bring them too the vet and from the breeders?
Rats make amazing pets for kids, IMO. My kids are 7,3, and 1. I have 2 female rats (along with 2 cats and 2 dogs) and my(older 2) kids love to help care for them and play with them. They are definitely my favorite small animal and my kids enjoy them so much too! I had rats when I was a teenager and wanted them again, my partner at the time wasnt into the whole rat thingso we got guinea pigs which Ill never do again lol but the rats are perfect and Ill always keep them 😊 As long as the parent monitors the interaction between the rats and the kids, and the parents takes the role of caring for them theyre amazing 🤩
I'm a child and whenever I open the cage all the rats start running over to the opening wanting to play
My mom had rats as a teenager and she has fun stories of them stealing her spaghetti while she ate or pencils while doing homework. She found out that she was allergic to them a while later but enjoyed them very much before her allergies got too bad. From the stories she has told about them, it sounds like they had free range over her bedroom and were very good at escaping the cage. This was the 80s when there wasn't as much access to researching how to care for them so no hate for her.
I’m 15 I have two female rats and I look after them myself my mum pays for the things they get though but she loves them and they are really spoiled lol my rat had a ear infection about two weeks ago and I cared for her myself giving her the medicine and now she’s better I think I’m pretty responsible in owning rats and some people my age I know wouldn’t all depends on maturity but no children should have pets alone if they are not mature enough and do not know how to care for them
I'm an adult but still living at home and my mom was not prepared for the smell😬 I'm not /not/ allowed to have rats after my four boys died but I decided to wait until I move out to get more rats anyways because I was sick of her complaining all the time lol.
My advice for any kids is definitely make sure your parents are aware of what they're signing up for before getting them. Vet bills, keeping more than one rat at a time, big cages that take up lots of room and can be expensive, all the things to put in that cage to make it fun for the rats, regular costs of food and bedding, etc etc. My mom is more willing to put in those big costs for dogs and cats since they live longer and are for the whole family to enjoy but she didn't like spending that money on rats she was personally scared of and stayed away from.
I got a pet rat I named Kiki as a kid she learned how to get out of her cage in 3 days just from watching me open. She would crawl hop around my room looking for stuff to build a nest in the corner of my room under my bed she like climbing and crawling on me just to hang out on my shoulder
hi! at the moment I’m 13 so I’m going to wait a year to spend time researching on pet rats more and more before I turn 14 (since people start working at that age here) and earn enough money for the vetting of the rats I want and their cage (as well as bedding food and toys etc) since I know my mom wouldn’t pay that much sadly. and as I research I’ll find out if the rat is really the best pet for me, so I really want to thank you for all this information !! :))
also, which season is it best to get pet rats? (Winter, summer etc)
i have been wanting rats for years now and i know i will not be getting any before i move out for myself, this makes me very sad, but i know i dont have the space and i know my parents wouldnt take me to the vet with a potential sick rat, i know this because it happend with a hamster i had two years ago.
i am fifteen in less than a month, and where i live you cant really get paid for a job before sixteen, so i could get the stuff i need for rats myself
even if i cant have rats now i still hope that i will happen in the future!
(also the only breeder i could find was hours away)
im 12 and i have 2 rats meadow and daisy they free roam like an 1hour or sometimes more and they have a meaduim size cage and there both from breader i watch lots of videos about rats
Well said, right on the money with this vid 👍👍
I completely agree! My friend who's 14 got 2 females and a few months later his 12 yo (I think) sister got 2 females. It's definitely a family effort though and everyone was on board. They are going on vacation so the rats are staying with me and I get to watch them. Last time I went to their house everyday for hours but we think it will be better to bring the cage to my house since there are 4 now. What are your thoughts on bringing them to a new airspace for a week? I will run 2 air purifiers in the room. Love you Emi ❤️ thank you
I think personally it should be fine if you treat them like new rats and introduce them to the environment slowly. I’d still recommend doing some research on it to make it as stress less as possible.
(I’m 14 and have been owning rats since I was 7)
@@kimiskingdom798 how do I introduce them to new air?
@@kimiskingdom798 I'm obviously going to watch their behavior and make sure they are okay with me and give them space. I know 2 of them well but the other 2 are new so I'll make sure they aren't too stressed
@@SLURPZZZ4461 I think they should be fine with new air, but to make as less stressful for them if possible, have the person go round to your house the day before the rats go to you and have them leave some clothes that they’ve worn and put them near the cage so it still smells familiar.
@@kimiskingdom798 that's a good idea! I'll ask him to leave a hoodie or something and I'll put it on top of the cage
Im 12 y/o and i asked my dad if i could have pet rats (i asked my dad cause my moms dead) i even made an presentation but he just said no cause there disgusting. I also have enough money cause i always put my money away for it (i have like 400£ right now). My sister also thinks rats are disgusting.
so for me, I think personally I got my rats when I was 10 and I had to do so much research I researched. What is the best care for rats for about a year and I presented a presentation to my parents and they decided that they would get them for me as a Christmas present and it really depends on how responsible your child is I don’t think you should get them if you are 9 and under, and if you do let your children get rats you should have them do a lot of the research on their own.
I got my first rat pair when I was 13. My Mom had my sister and I research them and save our money for them. I'm now 38 and still have rats. I also have two kids and I personally think rats make amazing pets for kids. That said parents need to be prepared to take charge of their care.
I'm 16 and I've had rats for over 2 years now. I am completely responsible for them, the only thing I'm not responsible is paying for them (my parents buy them everything they need). I don't ever regret getting rats at all. It is the best decision I ever made but it is a LOT OF WORK to treat them well and put their needs before your own like I do. If your a teen my age wondering if you should get rats, my answer is I don't recommend it. It will not be getting any more rats because I cannot afford to care for them when school gets harder in years 11 and 12. For a slightly younger teen where school is perhaps not a big a deal, then yes I think they are great. But it DEFINITELY takes a special person to pull it off.
I'm a kid and I have rats I take good care of them 😊
i want a ratt i’m 13
As a younger rat owner (12) I did research for 1 and a half years to get rats, my dad said ' no, no they stink and make a mess ' i studied every day, before school, after school, the weekend in my own time, etc, I proved my dad wrong, I got a big cage, a good, natural diet, I got 2, everyone says ' everyone starts of bad/with bad care ' no you just didn't research, I still research, etc I'm saving for a big cage like yours, my cage is still big and over the maximum the only reason we got that because it's cheap and fits my small room, we are re-doing my room soon to make it appear bigger my bed is going to be up high so I can open my window and have space for my rats with a big, good sized cage. I have foraging toys, enrichment, and a natural cage set up my care is getting better, the cage is changing I'm getting more toys and making it more crowded, I searched what genders were easier like males have hormonal aggression more than females and that's why i got females, nurturing animals is expensive, my rat's bottles aren't as loud as people say.
also, you probably won't see this I've recently lost my rat, blossom she is the white rat in my pfp, it was a horrible experience but people have said when you get more rats get 2 or more I cannot convince him to get another 2, he says just 1, just 1 I explain and explain why to get 2 more he says that my older rat, opal the grey and white rat will be neglected and pushed away he doesn't understand shes been there longer and she will show whos boss, etc, you can do a video about this or just comment, im also very sure how to bond but im not sure what to do when they reject eachother
What I don’t see a lot is that as a 16 year old who has a job and earns my own money (like enough to pay vet bills, cage, a lot of expensive stuff they need) is info on being on the line of almost being 18, but not being 18. Most people talk about young kids or 12-14 year olds. So I am asking breeders if they’re there what you do about that?
Sorry I don’t understand your question, are breeders not willing to sell to you because you’re 16? I think the issue is you’re still not considered a legal adult and legally responsible until 18, you’re often not the home owner so still need parental permission unless you’ve moved out and maybe some people are concerned with what will happen to to the rats when some people go to university or life changes a lot in the next few years. As a rescue I don’t have any issues rehoming to anyone of any age as long as they show they’re responsible but still need a quick contact with parent / guardian or the home owner just to confirm it’s all good
I have a 9 year old daughter and she absolutely loves the rats. But I would not let her be solely responsible for them at her age. Not only does she get bored of the regular caretaking, but since having rats I have had to deal with them getting health issues, aging, difficult life/death decisions, handling tricky introductions, territorial aggression, hormonal aggression, etc. There are some stressful aspects to rat ownership and I wouldn't put that on a child without the full support of the parent.
Definitely! It’s a lot for an adult to handle, nevermind a child. I feel for any kid who’s going through these things and trying to explain it to their parents and they’ve got no clue the severity of the situation whether it’s hormones or a certain health issue 🥺
I'm a child age 12 and I have 2 females and I'm getting more. I got my females from pets at home but they are such good rats. I'm getting baby rats from a breeder in Preston
This is a little off topic but does anyone know if millet sprays are ok for rats? Found mixed responses
I really want pet rats but I know my mom hates pretty much most animals, I don't think they'd grow on her. I also don't really have somewhere that their cage would go other than my room, which I already know the cons. I've done a lot of research but I'm not sure if I'd be able to give my rats the life they'd deserve :(
I’m 16 and we have 22 pets right now and I’m responsible for 19 of them by myself. I don’t recommend. I have to plan my entire life around them. Where I go to collage, which state I can live, where I can work, when and where I can go on vacation, etc. I can’t move out as young as other teens might because I have to have a job that can support all of them, and a place to live that will except all of them. I got my first reptile at 15 and he should live until I’m 35. I started owning exotics at 13.
I actually recommend reptiles more for kids than rats and other rodents. Being the person that takes care of the rats has been traumatizing. I’ve had to deal with some bad health issues, and always end up feeling like it’s my fault if they get sick, hurt, or pass away. I don’t think anyone should be the main caretaker of an animal until they are at least 13. As someone who started owning pets at that age, they’re not responsible enough yet to do it alone. I didn’t start being what I consider a good pet owner until I was 15, and everyone says I’m very mature for my age. But even if they’re responsible, they shouldn’t be the ones dealing with their animal when it’s sick or injured until maybe 16 (but it’s still traumatizing for me).
I wish I was in the UK lol in Australia Qld it is $440 to get my rat neutered
question: is it normal for rats to squeak very loudly? one of my rats is extremely loud when he squeaks and it worries me. I’ve never found injuries on him, and he does it when one of the other rats is just trying to take a toy away from him or pushing him out of the way of the water bottle. i know squeaking is pretty normal but he sounds far more loud and upset than the others
Sounds like you just have one very dramatic rat lol
@@Emiology I figured. I’ve never found any injuries on him and they’re all brothers who have been together since birth so there’s not much reason for aggression anyway. i think he is just whiny
i definitely think they can make good pets for kids to handle and play with but not be their soul care taker unless they are 13+. im 14 and i have two boys and i fully take care of them. i do everything for them and they are living a good happy life in a dcn with lits of fun toys and a great diet. and i do it all exept pay for them and im fully capable but i think 1-2 years ago i wpuldnt have been able to do it
Hi emy. I watched your videos and they reassured me that I want rats and I was wondering if the rat and ferret big pet planet cage would be a good starting cage and a good cage for 2 rats or a possible trio?
Great cage to start with!
@@Emiology thank you!
Hello I am 11 years old and really want rats I hav not asked my parents yet and I know it is a 50/50 chance of them saying yes and I agree that making a video on telling kids how to make thier parents purchase something so expensive is unrealistic. And I was wondering if mabye you could make a video on pros and cons of having rats. Just si when I do talk to my parents I am able to tell them all of the good and bad things and how the bad things can or cannot be solved.
My parents promised to pay for good cage, etc. but then they got me one for 20 pounds that isnt even good for a hamster and said it was good enough:( didn’t get me more rats when my ray was left alone and didn’t let me give him up nor did they bring him to the vets. RIP cookie.
Here’s one thing I’ve thought about for the pair of rats my plan is when sadly one of my rats die I’d go to either a shelter, Craigslist Or Gumtree (if the rat is only a few months old I’d just go to a breeder with similar aged rats). Then house those rats together giving
Both rats a hopefully better life
It's best to try and do that before one of your rats passes away, theres not always rats available when you need them and you can end up with a rat being alone for a few weeks :(
I want pet rats I’m 12 but I think I could handle them after doing so much research n my mum is gonna get a good big tall cage n I have a hamster who I look after by myself