How to choose a pet rat
Article Toolsyou get to the breeder or pet store, be ready to interact with a few rats to find the one that gets along with you the best. Some rats will be more outgoing than others, talk slowly and softly and leave you hand in the cage for a few minutes; a few rats should seek you out and sniff you. Once a few rats have shown interest in you, have the breeder or store employee take one or two out of the cage for you. Let them crawl around on you a bit and see how they interact with you. You don't want a rat that is scared, intimidated, or aggressive toward you in any way. The rat should not bite you, no matter how cute he may be, a biter will only cause you more problems in the end. It is a normal fear reaction for a rat to defecate on you, once their used to your presence this should no longer be a problem. It's normal for the rat to become comfortable with you and crawl all over you in a few minutes. If after a few minutes he is still cowering, you may want to consider getting a more curious and out-going rat.
Most importantly, choose a rat that you know you can be happy taking are of for a few years. The natural life span for a pet rat is 2-3 years. You and your pet can have a wonderful relationship in that time, and I have no doubt that once you get the first there will be others. Rats are truly remarkable little critters that can have a lasting bond with their humans.
Learn more about this author, Stefani Andrews.
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How to choose a pet rat
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Before you invest any time, money and potential heartache on any pet you must ask yourself a few questions ahead of time.
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Finding and Choosing Your Pet Rat
There are a few sources to choose from which can provide you with a pet rat. I'll go -
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As with any pet, before bringing a rat into your home you will want to do some brief research to ensure this is the right
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It's a good idea to understand rats and their social behaviors as you are selecting your pet. Rats are very sociable for
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Choosing a pet rat is not as difficult as you may think. My experience is personal, and professional. Having grown up with
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