Our friend got his two sons rats for pets. They are fantastic pets. The boys have really stepped up to the plate at taking care of them and the lil ratties have responded by recognizing each of the boys, as to which one is “owner” and which one is “friend”, among a host of other actions!
…the only problem with rats, as an allergist pointed out to me in her office, is that they are the easiest animal to develop an allergy to. When I got my first rat I was fine. With my second rat I was developing all sort of allergic reactions (including a fainting spell that resulted in a seizure and a hospital stay) that I didn’t associate with my rat. I had been fine for so long with the first one that it never occurred to me that the rat was the problem. It was on my third rat that I finally figured it out, when it walked over my shoulder and touched its nose to my lip when I turned my head. Half of the inside of my mouth swelled up almost immediately. I had a six hour asthma attack. Never had one before. The rats had to go – and I’ve never had another asthma attack. Now, as much as I liked them, I won’t even go near them. If anybody with rats are experiencing any symptoms, please don’t discount the possibility of a sudden allergy having been developed…
Sorry guys, I am sure the rats you get in the pet stores are nice but as someone who grew up poor and near a river, I don’t do rats at all. River rats are big and nasty and will attack anything or anyone that they think is helpless. Cats yes, rats no.
We once had some refugee lab rats that were genetically bred to be overweight (for diabetes studies and the like). We called them fatty ratties and they were so sweet, they even got along with the cats. The odd thing was that despite being overweight, they lived just as long as a normal sized rat. I miss those little buggers.
GreasyOldTam about 6 years ago
Somewhere out there is the girl who is the perfect match for him. The line forms to his left, ladies.
Strob about 6 years ago
Rats!
katina.cooper about 6 years ago
He’s only friends with girl rats.
Fiona D Premium Member about 6 years ago
In another lifetime I used to keep rats. Pilot is right on all counts.
LadyPeterW about 6 years ago
Our friend got his two sons rats for pets. They are fantastic pets. The boys have really stepped up to the plate at taking care of them and the lil ratties have responded by recognizing each of the boys, as to which one is “owner” and which one is “friend”, among a host of other actions!
stefaninafla about 6 years ago
Rats are the only rodent pets I’ll tolerate. They’re awesome.
miscreant about 6 years ago
Sometimes pets are better than people.
jadoo823 about 6 years ago
…the only problem with rats, as an allergist pointed out to me in her office, is that they are the easiest animal to develop an allergy to. When I got my first rat I was fine. With my second rat I was developing all sort of allergic reactions (including a fainting spell that resulted in a seizure and a hospital stay) that I didn’t associate with my rat. I had been fine for so long with the first one that it never occurred to me that the rat was the problem. It was on my third rat that I finally figured it out, when it walked over my shoulder and touched its nose to my lip when I turned my head. Half of the inside of my mouth swelled up almost immediately. I had a six hour asthma attack. Never had one before. The rats had to go – and I’ve never had another asthma attack. Now, as much as I liked them, I won’t even go near them. If anybody with rats are experiencing any symptoms, please don’t discount the possibility of a sudden allergy having been developed…
willie_mctell about 6 years ago
Rats are good pets. They can’t be housebroken but theyre all the things that Pilot said. They’re also evolutionary champs.
about 6 years ago
Rats have good companionship.
pchemcat about 6 years ago
Sorry guys, I am sure the rats you get in the pet stores are nice but as someone who grew up poor and near a river, I don’t do rats at all. River rats are big and nasty and will attack anything or anyone that they think is helpless. Cats yes, rats no.
Zontar from Venus about 6 years ago
We once had some refugee lab rats that were genetically bred to be overweight (for diabetes studies and the like). We called them fatty ratties and they were so sweet, they even got along with the cats. The odd thing was that despite being overweight, they lived just as long as a normal sized rat. I miss those little buggers.
Meryl Rimmer about 6 years ago
So true, rats are the best pets ever, just so sad they don’t live very long.