Pet thread

[Amanda44]

Oh Nooby! All is forgiven, they are just adorable.

http://puu.sh/3gVTr.jpg

That is my pic of the thread so far. <3
Thanks for posting them.

Also: Lol, at the upside down budgie.

[btaylor]

Also: Lol, at the upside down budgie.

I had a Budgie but it died...

[Foxesrule]

I have 2 cats, 2 fish, someone in my house has a horse but I want a pet rat more than anything.

[Amanda44]

Also: Lol, at the upside down budgie.

I had a Budgie but it died...

Awww, btay - I'm sorry - What was it's name?

I had two budgie's a few years ago, one died, his name was blue ( he was blue - not very original I know, lol) and the female, pebbles, escaped when I stupidly let her out of the cage with the front door wide open.

I have 2 cats, 2 fish, someone in my house has a horse but I want a pet rat more than anything.

I also had four rats - worse pets i've ever had!

A friend worked at a pet shop and the rats, four sisters, had been sold and returned twice - you think that would have given me a hint!
He was saying how sad it was, how intelligent and affectionate they were, blah, blah, blah. Obviously in hindsight playing on my love of animals and it worked - I took them. They were not intelligent, they bit me everytime I went anywhere near them and they stank to high heaven! And not because I didn't clean them out, lol. They just wee etc as they go along, no set spot, in their food bowls, in their bedding - disgusting, lol, and the wee is so strong in ammonia that it peeled the paintwork from the skirting the cage was next to.

Luckily they only live 2 to 4 years on average, mine lived for three and that was the end of that! Never again!

Btw, I did love them, as much as was possible (I know it doesn't sound like it, lol) and felt sorry for them, which was why I didn't return them too.

[Foxesrule]

Rats that have been 'abandoned' are often aggressive. Rats are very different from other pets to look after. They are more intelligent then cats and dogs generally, but you have to 'tame' the rat so it gets used to humans. Also there is something male rats can get which makes them pee almost all the time. If you are ever interested in getting rats again, I'd reccomend researching them. Rats can make better pets than dogs and cats, but only if they are treated right, and of course the rat's nature plays a part in that. The best place to look up about rats its the Nation Fancy Rat Society website.

Pet rats, when given the correct care and management, are by far the most intelligent, affectionate, and responsive of all the small rodents, and are ideal pets for children. Do you have time to make friends with a rat?

When choosing your pet rats, contact a reputable breeder. Watch closely how the rats are handled, and do not be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you are confident in handling the rats yourself before making the final decision.

Rats are naturally social animals and are much happier when kept in single sex pairs rather than on their own. Both bucks and does make good pets. Litter mates make the best pairs, but unrelated kittens can be put together. Beyond ten weeks of age dominance hierarchy develops, especially between young bucks, which may lead to squabbling. You can still introduce rats beyond this age, but it may get progressively harder as they grow older.

Rats love coming out of their cage to play and explore their environment, but they are not usually compatible with other small rodents, cats, dogs or birds. Rats also tend to gnaw things and so should not be allowed out without close supervision.

Rats live to around 2 years of age. Adult bucks weigh around 500g and adult does around 300g, so a large cage is essential (at least 2' x1' x 1' for a pair). It should be easy to clean, and should be cleaned out once or twice a week. Cages should be kept out of direct sunlight and draughts, as sudden changes in temperature can cause health problems. Untreated wood shavings, cardboard bedding, hay or shredded paper make suitable bedding materials. Rats are very clean animals and will spend a lot of time washing and grooming their coats.

[Amanda44]

If you are ever interested in getting rats again, I'd reccomend researching them. Rats can make better pets than dogs and cats, but only if they are treated right, and of course the rat's nature plays a part in that. The best place to look up about rats its the Nation Fancy Rat Society website.

Actually I did obviously read all about how to look after them and I did care for them, it doesn't however change how they behaved or my opinion of them, so, no, I won't be thinking of having them again.

I'm glad there are people who are fond of them though and I hope you get one one day.

[Foxesrule]

If you are ever interested in getting rats again, I'd reccomend researching them. Rats can make better pets than dogs and cats, but only if they are treated right, and of course the rat's nature plays a part in that. The best place to look up about rats its the Nation Fancy Rat Society website.

Actually I did obviously read all about how to look after them and I did care for them, it doesn't however change how they behaved or my opinion of them, so, no, I won't be thinking of having them again.

I'm glad there are people who are fond of them though and I hope you get one one day.

Okay! Just wait until I create my evil army of rats and RULE THE WORLD! MWHAHAHA!! Ohohoh how much you'll regret that post... >:)

Anyway, thank you! ^^

[btaylor]

Awww, btay - I'm sorry - What was it's name?

Pie. I liked it so much.

[Amanda44]

I hope no-one minds if I bump this, I was just looking at some of the gorgeous pics and we have some new players now and it may inspire some more cute pet pics, also Seven has now reached the grand old age of 2!

Happy Birthday Seven!



I bought her some new toys and a new collar, and then later she decided to return the favour - my friend was visiting and we were sitting around chatting when Seven comes running in from the garden with a huge rat in her mouth, at first it looked to be alive! My friend screamed, lol, which prompted Seven to run upstairs with it and you just know she's heading for my bedroom -

Sure enough, I chase after her and there she is sat on my bed looking extremely smug, and there, on the pillow where I lay my head, is the rat! I don't often swear but for the next few minutes as I had to force myself to pick up the rat (which was at least dead, so many places to hide in my room) she was predominantly known as 'f***head'!

Anyway, - more pets please!

[wiatrak]

Starting farmer.bot