Rats make great companions

"Oh no, I just can't stand the tail!"

That is usually the response I get when I recommend rats as pets. Personally, I think rats have cute tails and, from experience, also think that these little rodents make great pets.

So forget about that tail for a moment, and read the rest of this tale!

You may be surprised to learn that rats are highly intelligent and friendly creatures. Unlike hamsters, rats rarely bite, can be trained and enjoy interacting with humans, making them ideal first-time pets for children.

There are four main "varieties" of pet rats, the most common being the standard rat. The dumbo rat resembles the standard rat, but has large elephant-like ears. Less common is the hairless rat and, for the squeamish, there is the tail-less rat.

These little cuties, which have a life span of about two to five years, also make great companions for the elderly and for people who live in apartments. They are quiet, don't require a lot of space and are actually quite clean. These long-domesticated rats have little in common with those in the wild.

A large, wire cage with multiple levels makes an ideal home for pet rats. These playful and curious critters love toys, tunnels, ramps and hiding spots. A flat-surfaced, large exercise wheel is essential, in addition to supervised "playtime" outside of the cage.

Rats can be kept singly, but only if you have enough time to devote to their socialization on a daily basis. Otherwise, these social animals should have a friend of the same sex. (I have two sisters, Sidney and Shelby.) A single rat may bond more closely to its human, but pairs are fun to watch as they groom, play and cuddle together!

Males and females may be kept together, but only if one has been neutered. Breeding is highly discouraged, as there are plenty of unwanted rats and accidental litters waiting in shelters for a good home.

As with any pet, research and planning are essential. Parents should keep in mind that while learning to care for animals is important, the sole responsibility of any pet cannot be expected of a child, because the animal will ultimately suffer in the end. Instead, it should be a shared, enjoyable experience for both parents and children, teaching compassion as well as responsibility.

So when you're ready to adopt a small furry friend, try to look past the tail, and consider the all-too-often misunderstood rodent ... the rat.

...in this downsize era, people are also downsizing in pets, and getting rats to accomodate their smaller houses, apartments etc...

What's your rat laughing at?

Animal play is nothing new, however. Scientists have long suspected that some animals smile or laugh.

Rats, for example, have been shown to chirp delightedly above the range of human hearing when wrestling with one another.

But be careful not to trip and fall the next time you're taking around your rat. If your rat starts chirping, it might be at your expense!

...could these be the next stand up comedians? :o)

Boca resident operates rat pet sitting service

When asked, any pet that has been taken care of by Jen Anderson might give the Boca Raton resident "two paws up."

Anderson, 28, is the person behind Paws to Help You, a service dedicated to watching over all kinds of pets while owners are away.

"Since I used to work at various animal hospitals, I know what to do in order to keep pets happy and clean," Anderson said. "Whether it's dogs, cats, fish or rats, I make sure my clients are very satisfied."

Contact Corey Siggins at 561-549-0845 or at csiggins@bocanews.com.

...need a rat sitter?

If your pet goes missing

If your attitude is ho-hum about pets stolen from streets, backyards and unlocked vehicles because you think it doesn’t happen here, then a must-read is “Stolen for Profit,” written by investigative reporter Judith Reitman. The information in this book is factual and very disturbing.

It does happen here! The Friends of Animals here in Carlton County gets frantic calls from people looking for their animals that have seemingly vanished into thin air. If your pets are left outdoors unattended, the chances are greater they might be stolen.

According to Reitman, there are various types of dealers involved in obtaining animals. Class A dealers raise their own animals (cats, dog, rabbits, rats, ferrets, etc.) for research. Some Class B dealers obtain animals legally, but there is a dark side – animals are often provided to them by “bunchers” who are unscrupulous people who acquire random-source stolen pets.

...word to the wise, if you see an unfamiliar van with no windows or darkened windows casing your neighbourhood, it maybe an idea to get the licence number.