Rats!! I need a companion, cause I don't want to be alone

[king2005]

As some of you know, I'm leaving Rob. I'm thinking of getting a few Rats as companions, as I cannot afford a dog's vet bills, nor a cats vet bills. & since Rats don't get yearly shots I can afford them.

My only problem is the cage... Back home I had a MASSIVE dog kennel turned into a rat cage. Now all I have is a 20gal tank... I don't want to use a tank as I know they cause lung issues & then death.. been there, never again...

Is there a place I can get one for SUPER cheap? used is what I'm looking for! I plan to go to yard sales this summer, but I'd like a rat asap, as the whole being alone thing doesn't mix well with me.

also,
Is there anyone in the Toronto Area who is looking to get rid of a cage for a couple rats? or a couple smaller cages for a rat?

I wish I had all my old stuff. I had cool bowls, lots of water bottles, toys, & everything I needed for a rats happiness.

[Uabassoon]

Check all your local thrift shops, I found a really nice Martins cage at my local thrift shop once. Also check out the forums on ratsrule
They have a market section and people are always looking to get rid of old cages.

[Miss Z]

Sorry, I don't know anywhere which sells cages cheap, but I know what you mean, rat cages are pretty expensive. Tia's cage was nearly £100, although we spoilt her and got her a cage big enough for 3 of 4 rats . I'm glad that you've chosen to get some rats, you'll definitly find them to be loving and funny little characters!

[CathyBogart]

I have seen those HUGE plastic storage bins used to make excellent rat cages beofre. I think you can get the really big ones for about $20 at Target...

[lute]

check your local newspaper. sometimes i see rats that come with cages in the paper. some humane societies have rats for adopteion. they normally don't charge a lot for an adoption fee.

good luck!

[Karen]

You can see if there's anything you could use as a rat cage for free on freecycle.com In fact, you might as well join up for freecycle.com if they've got a branch near you, as you'll be needing other stuff, too, probably.

[lute]

You can see if there's anything you could use as a rat cage for free on freecycle.com In fact, you might as well join up for freecycle.com if they've got a branch near you, as you'll be needing other stuff, too, probably.

oh! good idea! i go to freecycle all the time for stuff!

[buttercup132]

Since I only live little ways from you King I will look in thrift shops for you if you want, my mom always makes me go with her. Actually the Value Village in missauga almost ALWAYS has a rat cage or hampster cage(I know thats not big enough but just saying)

[*iluvskipper*]

eew gross don't get a rat!!! they r so dumb. well they are kinda smart actrually but if i was u i'd get a ginneau pig. they are sooooo much cuter

[Uabassoon]

eew gross don't get a rat!!! they r so dumb. well they are kinda smart actrually but if i was u i'd get a ginneau pig. they are sooooo much cuter

Rats make great pets, they are very social as well as trainable. They can learn simple commands and they really bond with their humans. They are my favorite small animal. And I happen to think rats are adorable.

[Miss Z]

eew gross don't get a rat!!! they r so dumb. well they are kinda smart actrually but if i was u i'd get a ginneau pig. they are sooooo much cuter

Excuse me, now i'm going to rant....

Please keep comments like that to yourself. There are people on this forum who love rats and that comment is quite offensive to me and will be to others. PT is about the love of ALL pets, not just the ones considered 'cute'.

And for the record, I think rats are cute, and find them to be very affectionate, clean, clever and funny and definitely would not swap Tia for 1000 guinea pigs. king2005 has chosen that she would like rats, so no-one should try to change her mind.

[binka_nugget]

eew gross don't get a rat!!! they r so dumb. well they are kinda smart actrually but if i was u i'd get a ginneau pig. they are sooooo much cuter

We're all entitled to our opinions but saying that a rat isn't right for you is sufficient. There's no need to say what you said and offend those who love rats.

And they're actually incredibly intelligent. I think of them as mini-dogs since they're so interactive with their owners and are so smart.

[SemaviLady]

I'm a fan of pet rats too. There was a period of time, oh so long ago... when I was a working student and had to pay rent on my own apartment. Struggling through college was easier since I had these wonderful pets. I had a big mouse cage for mine and their door was left open when I was doing homework (I had no TV). They very cute, all creamy beige in color. They came when I called them and knew their names. Sometimes I could manage to spring for a small bag of Cheetos (buying junk food on a budget was hard then, lol) They would each get a big one, all their own and race back to their mouse den to eat their prizes. They got carrots, fruit and regular rat chow too.

Reminiscing, a local college used to have something called a "Rat Decathlon" and students would train their rats to do a lot of unique routines, at least ten routines -- then they would compete. I don't find much about it on line... hrm... Either it's now called something else, or those cool contests don't exist any more.

I also had at least one or two Siamese Fighting fish in different containers. At the time (I used jars). I kept a few goldfish too. The rats were very affectionate and interactive, the fish were just so beautiful.

Best wishes to you for your future.

[CathyBogart]

eew gross don't get a rat!!! they r so dumb. well they are kinda smart actrually but if i was u i'd get a ginneau pig. they are sooooo much cuter

You have obviously never had a pet rat. Rats are extremely intelligent, clean, affectionate, cuddly, acrobatic, just delightful pets! To me they seem much more interactive than most guinea pigs. (Though I have to admit I have never had a GP just worked with them so I don't know that for sure)

I don't care for guinea pigs myself, I like QUIET animals. Rats are by far my favorite "small and fuzzy" pet.

[lute]

eew gross don't get a rat!!! they r so dumb. well they are kinda smart actrually but if i was u i'd get a ginneau pig. they are sooooo much cuter

i agree with everyone else. that was uncalled for. i happen to REALLY like rats and think they are cute.