File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Hey /an/. I want to get a rat, but first I need to know all I can about their housing, food, when to clean their housing, when to clean their water stuff, etc, etc. I also want to know where I can find some direct vendors in the berkeley/oakland area.

Thanks.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Google. Use it.

The only reason no profanity was used is because rats are fucking awesome pets.
>> Anonymous
>>121943
So a rat is definitely a good pet if you can't get, say, a cat?
>> Anonymous
>>121951

Absolutely. They are very low maintenance, fairly low odor (males can be smelly), easy to tame and train, affectionate, and intelligent. With regular handling of about an hour a day, they will be very friendly and loving and can even learn to come to their name and respond to other commands like a dog.

They are also social, so get two or three.
>> Anonymous
yea, my sister has 2. they beiz teh awsumz LOL

just get a ferret cage and you can then just ask all the people at petco and what not what to get your rat
>> Anonymous
I read this guide, and it said buying from large shops (I.E. petco) is a bad idea most of the time due to their less than affectionate care, and much less time handling. According to them, it's a fairly large gamble, because if the handlers don't spend enough time with them, they become withdrawn and neurotic. So I'm guessing a direct dealer who breeds and handles rats from a young age is my best bet, no?
>> Anonymous
All the rats Ive gotten from pet shops have been fine, but a couple of the friendliest rats I ever had were from a friend who had raised them since birth.
>> Anonymous
You must get 2 so they can conspire to take over the world.

One will be a genius, the other... insane.
>> Anonymous
>>122010
Clever anonymous is clever
>> Anonymous !4X8vLLNDE2
.
>> Anonymous
I'm getting two of them, does anyone have any suggestions for names? I know it sounds stupid, but I'm terrible at coming up with names and if you think of one I like, we'll see about naming one of them it. 2 males, btw.
>> Anonymous
>>122506
pinky and the brain
>> Anonymous
Pet stores are also a genetic gamble as opposed to a breeder which can tell you family history disease wise and such. If you get two relatively small babies, make sure the cage bar spacing is no bigger than 1/2"!!! Most standard ferret cages are 1" spacing so adult rats are fine but younger ones will have no trouble at all slipping out. You could get the ferret cage and zip-tie 1/2" chicken wire around the outside until they are big enough, though I tend to keep my smaller rats in a cage built specifically for rats until they are big enough to move into my ferret nation cage.
>> Anonymous
>>121964

I worked in a small petstore for a while and got all of my rats through the store's distributor. Since they were "feeders," they were not handled at all prior to me taking them home. However, after about a week of handling at home (where I let them run around on the couch while I watched TV), they would settle right down. Rats are pretty tame by nature, and it's very uncommon if not downright rare to get a "problem" rat.

I agree that buying directly from a breeder or from the animal shelter is best. However, many areas lack local breeders, so buying from a pet store should not be ruled out. I would even recommend buying them at a large store versus a small one, since most small stores carry them only as feeders.
>> rats Rose
hey i have lots of rats, they are great fun i some that i am willing to adopt out they are very good animals and very sweet..... any questions just e-mail me
>> Anonymous
I would suggest going to PetSmart. At least, by me (FL), they take really good care of their rats, leaving only 2-3 in a cell at a time. If you go into a pet store and you see like, 10 in a small aquarium, DON'T BUY THEM. I went to pet co and the staff there had like, 15 to a cage, and they picked them out of the cage by the tail (huge no no). Check out http://www.dapper.com.au/ , lots of good ideas, links, and information.
>> Anonymous
misha and rasputin.
I have no idea why.
>> Anonymous
why did you come HERE to ask that????
>> Anonymous
Just stick it up your pooper. Then it has housing, food, and probably enough liquid to get by quiet happily.
>> Anonymous
I need to know if a 36" long 12" wide "12 tall wire cage is big enough for 2 rats, thanks in advance.
>> Anonymous
I got an hamster once... not very fun or intelligent. Gerbils, however, are fuckin' awesome.