does this annoy you, rat owners?

[Miss Z]

It annoys me when i tell people that i have a pet rat and they reply with 'errrrrr!...they're vermin aren't they...how can you hold a rat etc etc'. People fail to see the intelligence and sweet natures of such animals because of their ill deserved reputation. Does anyone else get that? would love to know if it gets on anyone else's nerves or if it's just me!

[Queen of Poop]

It is most irritating to be sure. I get the same comments when I tell people we have ferrets. And you should see the reaction when they discover we have 2 snakes. Sometimes it is quite funny. Perhaps, rather than being offended you should take the time to educate the people on how wonderful it is to have a rat as a pet.

[Miss Z]

yeah i know but sometimes it's really hard to change their view. me and my friend are determined to make everyone see the truth about them though!:)

[CathyBogart]

As someone who has had rats, reptiles and invertebrates...I just grew a thick skin. It's much less exhausting than trying to argue with people about it all the time.

[areias]

I haven't had rats, but I've had mice. It does get annoying but I prefer to brush it off, they don't know what they're missing.

[DJFyrewolf36]

As someone who has had rats, reptiles and invertebrates...I just grew a thick skin. It's much less exhausting than trying to argue with people about it all the time.

I agree. I've gotten used to people having a bad attitude towards my pets. But I figure as long as I love them and care for them, who cares with other people think?

[buttercup132]

It is most irritating to be sure. I get the same comments when I tell people we have ferrets. And you should see the reaction when they discover we have 2 snakes. Sometimes it is quite funny. Perhaps, rather than being offended you should take the time to educate the people on how wonderful it is to have a rat as a pet.
omg i have the same problem with telling people about my snake there like oh dont they bite you, im like ummm nooo..they are socialized, dose a dog bite you if it lives inside with people..noooo
and then when im out with my bunny WOW people can be retarted they always say oh poor thing is probly frightened to death...(ya cuz ya know she hasnt been coming out shopping with me scince she was 3 months :rolleyes: ) or they say is that a wild rabbit cuz of her markings..ya id really be able to carry a wild rabbit around.. :rolleyes: omg i hate people sometimes

[crazy_caique]

omg i have the same problem with telling people about my snake there like oh dont they bite you, im like ummm nooo..they are socialized, dose a dog bite you if it lives inside with people..noooo
and then when im out with my bunny WOW people can be retarted they always say oh poor thing is probly frightened to death...(ya cuz ya know she hasnt been coming out shopping with me scince she was 3 months :rolleyes: ) or they say is that a wild rabbit cuz of her markings..ya id really be able to carry a wild rabbit around.. :rolleyes: omg i hate people sometimes

some people know nothing about animals*sigh*

[finn's mom]

It never really bothered me. Even now, when I tell people I have had pet rats and plan to again...I just give them a quick happy rundown on why they make excellent pets and how they aren't New York sewer rats. :) Takes about a minute to explain it and then I just let it be.

[dab_20]

well i think rats can be kinda cute. pet rats are MUCH different then sewer rats and stuff. just be like, rabbits are rodents too yah know. so rabbits and rats are like in the same posse. lol... most ppl like rabbits. so they should think rats are nice too!

[Suki Wingy]

just be like, rabbits are rodents too yah know. so rabbits and rats are like in the same posse. lol... most ppl like rabbits. so they should think rats are nice too!
Actually, they are not. I love all rodents, especially giant African Pouched Rats, they are adorable and they are sniffing out land mines in Africa!

[luckies4me]

Being a breeder and owning about 35 rats it doesn't bother me anymore. I just tell them they're stupid and walk away. :D

[buttercup132]

Being a breeder and owning about 35 rats it doesn't bother me anymore. I just tell them they're stupid and walk away.
i like the way you deal with things lol ya rabbits arent rodents

[areias]

Rabbits are lagomorphs. :) But they can be looked at similarily.

[dab_20]

well someone told me rabbits are rodent's. thats why they have to ride with the cargo when they go on planes.

[CathyBogart]

well someone told me rabbits are rodent's. thats why they have to ride with the cargo when they go on planes.

Well, they were unfortunately mistaken, rabbits are lagomorphs.

[aki]

We also get the ewwwwwwwwwww factor from people when we tell them we have rats. In fact, if I had known getting them would keep my mother from coming over, I would have gotten them YEARS AGO! :D

I kinda love the reactions though. Like someone said, they don't know what they are missing.

~Aki

[EssTer]

OMG!!! I EXACTLY know how that feels...and the thing is here in Iceland is only one breeder of rats, cause we weren´t allowed to import rats before..so I got my ratties from that breeder..and when I told somebody I had pet rats they were like - eeeeeewww and so on..it´s because Icelanders havent had any experience with pet rats - we dont have them so many as maybe bunnies!I´ve met many many people that doesnt like rats! and now, after the breeder here in Iceland had one litter, Government banned again to import rats!!! and I know person who already bought ratties, trhey are in Netherlands, and now she cannot get them to Iceland, cause we cannot import rats!!!!I just have to hope that things WILL change, and we WILL be able to import rats again, cause I really wanted to import some as well!!! I just hate when people say those eeewww and things,and they havent even seen pet rat in their lifes!!!!argh..