What small mammal as child's first pet?

[Scoolman]

Ah. Most parents give the kid a cage pet, keep it in the child's room, and let the child handle it whenever he wants, without supervision. It is more at risk than a kitten -- a kitten can scream loudly, and run away, is less fragile to begin with, and interacts with the entire family, thus gaining the attention of an adult when there is a problem. I've seen a lot of little creatures crushed and killed or injured by small children, or left without water, but kittens growing up in families with very little kids have done fine.

I think a ten gallon is too small for rats. They're active and clever and need play space. I'd get two males. They're smellier, but they grow bigger and are generally more cuddly and slower moving. Take your kid to handle some rats before buying them -- some people are allergic to them. Myself included, which is a pity because they're really wonderful.

Rodents should be kept in bared cages, not aquariums. They need the fresh air and ventilation. Aquariums trap the odors and fumes and will slowly poison your pet. I would get a female to avoid the aggression of a mature male.

 

[Rex Libris]

Rodents should be kept in bared cages, not aquariums. They need the fresh air and ventilation. Aquariums trap the odors and fumes and will slowly poison your pet. I would get a female to avoid the aggression of a mature male.

I agree about the tank. I used wire cages for all my rodents. But people do like the neatness of glass cages and if they're kept properly clean with a screen lid they're probably not as bad as all that.

But I disagree about the aggression. My experience is that the males were mellower in every way. (I had a lot of them as a kid, developed the allergy to them much later.)

 

[xhexdx]

This is Skunk. He came to me because the previous owner couldn't handle him anymore and wanted him to go to an experienced home. He originally came from a rescue, and before that, another home. The "rescue" he came from, we later learned, decided to BREED these rats because of their unique looks.

High-whites (like Skunk) are difficult to produce, and to add dumbo on top of that, I can understand why they would breed him, despite his personality. They also are the step leading to producing black-eyed-whites.

I'm not saying it's ok, just pointing out why.

 

[pitbulllady]

Rats all the way. Hands-down the best rodent, in my opinion. Get it small, handle it often.

I second that! Rats or Guinea Pigs are far less likely to bite, and rats are definitely quieter. Rats seem to be much more intelligent and have more personality, too. I'd advise against most hamsters, although some species of the dwarf hamsters seem far less "bitey", the regular Syrian hamsters and their various coat and color morphs DO tend to bite. I've always been very partial to rats and used to breed several colors and coat types(yes, you can get many coats in rats, if you don't like the regular rat coat)before my allergies got so bad I had to give them up. They are playful and love to interact with people as long as you get a young one and they are no messier than other rodents. They are also quite sturdy for their size and are better able to deal with clumsy young hands holding them than many of the more delicate or nervous rodents.

pitbulllady

 

[Kathy]

My first pet was a rat and I loved that guy! His name was Toby. LOL. He was so smart. Every day when I got home from school he would jump out of his fish tank (I never kept a lid on it) so he had lots of air ventilation...and he would run towards me like a dog. Aww, I just loved him. I would recommend a boy even though they have big yahoos. Rats are awesome!!

 

[pouchedrat]

Yeah I've had my fair share of high whites, since they're one of my faves I tend to seek them out (my others being agouti and PEW, as you saw my three new ones are all three of those, lol). Unfortunately high whites also can suffer from megacolon, which i've experienced once in a newly-weaned rat, and I've known people who've lost entire litters of high whites to megacolon. You don't even know they carry it until they're off of mother's milk... and it's awful to see.

blues sometimes have hemophelia, which means if they EVER go in for surgery, or cut themselves, they can bleed to death from it. This is of course hereditary and becoming more common lately.

I've also had rats with protein sensitivities who broke out in scabs all over their face and neck areas due to too much protein for them in their diets. it was the standard 14%, but they were just extra sensitive to it, and of course related.

I think just having as many different rats from as many parts of the USA (and lineage from overseas, I've had downunder that originally came from Australia and roan that came over from the UK) as I have, I've seen it all. At least enough to know I would never breed rats, as I just simply don't know enough about genetics or disorders linked to various coats and patterns as I should.

And on a side note about Skunk.. his brother wound up the same way as he did. genetics are a bitch.

But then again, I'm a snob with rats like I said, lol... everyone has something they obsess over, I guess. For some it's snakes, others tarantulas, some people love dogs or cats. For me, it's all about the rat.

Despite all that, I still think they're the best pet for a yound kid, as they're the most forgiving.

 

[Kathy]

My pet rat use to love eating crickets. I found that out by accident, the snake cage was above him (just a small green snake, nothing that could eat him....) and one time a cricket fell in his enclosure. He was on it in a heartbeat, yum yum chomp chomp.

 

[Laceface]

Love the rat idea. I grew up with them- incredibly smart and friendly.
Ours lived in a ferret "condo" wrapped with chicken wire to prevent escape. Not pretty, but the rats LOVED it. They had lots of levels with ropes, hides, etc. They loved fresh fruits, veggies, and mealworms! I have had hamsters, mice, rats, rabbits, gerbils, birds, etc...rats are the best for a kid, hands down, in my opinion. The only reason I have mice instead of rats now, is because I developed an allergy to them. If they are even in my house, my lungs fill with goo. If they touch me, I turn red and itchy. No fun at all!

Good luck with finding a pet for your kid, I bet he will love what ever ends up as "his" animal!

 

[clam1991]

I loved my rats way more than anyother mammal i ever owned but sadly after breeding my female and male i was foolish to think aww the girl one is sniffing my finger so cute!!!
(i bred them as feeders, got them originally as feeders)
until she bit clear through my nail

but again i feel very foolish looking back on it but im sure if they were pets they would be a great choice.
my little brother absoulutly adored the (honky chonky) male rats as they were very friendly

 

[H. laoticus]

If anything, just don't go with rabbits. They just eat a heck of a lot and poop a lot.

 

[RoachGirlRen]

If you do go with rats, let me please underscore: get ones that are very well socialized. They are WONDERFUL animals but fearful, traumatized, or untame rats can deliver some severely nasty bites - and most rats sold in typical pet stores are undersocialized and coming from less-than-ideal conditions. I've had a few rats come through my doors as rescues, all from poor situations, and ones that have had a background that makes them fearful of humans can be very challenging pets. Just yesterday, I accidentally spooked the female I am fostering and she bit THROUGH my fingernail, shattering it into three pieces.

I would really suggest a reputable breeder or a well acclaimed, responsible rescue that will let you select a rat (well, a pair) with a temperament that works for you. If you go that route I think you'll have a pet your child is really going to love and connect with.

You must post pics if/when you get them Sounds like we have a lot of rat lovers on the board who would like to meet the new additions.

 

[ametan]

After reading all of the replies, I have to ask: What are your opinions on buying baby feeder rats? Are there risks involved?

It seems to me that it would be easier to get a baby as all I see in the pet stores around here are nearly full grown and I cannot find any Wisconsin breeders searching online. Also, I have to assume that the genetic problems that occur when the rats are bred for "cuteness" would not be present.

 

[RoachGirlRen]

Actually, feeder rats are some of the worst bred animals on the planet. They are bred for mass production, not health or longevity. As a result they often have health and behavioral issues. The way they are kept also often results in illness; they practically always have myco and some may even have sendai. URIs are common as well. Lice and mites are often rampant due to crowding and poor husbandry in the store.

Responsible rat breeders do not select just for "cuteness" but screen the health of all breeding animals and cull out lines with genetic disorders, high incidences of tumors, food allergies, etc.

If you have a GOOD local pet store that keeps their feeder rats clean, well fed, minimally crowded, etc. and lack a local breeder or rescue, getting a young friendly-seeming feeder rat is your best chance at a decent companion. Though, do check out CL, ebay classifieds, hoobly, etc. - there are smaller scale pet breeders who lack websites. I'd also join http://www.goosemoose.com or at least browse their classifieds; there are rats for adoption, both from breeders and rescuers, all over the US on that site.

 

[xhexdx]

RGR is right, but that's in an ideal situation.

I've personally never had behavior issues with rats purchased from the feeder bins from pet shops. Like I said, stick your hand in and let them come to you. The rats who are the most curious and willing to climb up the 'alien' hand in the tank are the ones you should take home.

From my experience, anyway.

 

[fangsalot]

i would say rat but for some reason my dumbos always ended up being agressive towards women.it was wierd.i raised a few and they always ended up biting just the women of the family i used to give them away to.i guess because i raised them and they had almost no interaction with women,but that just means if you do go the rat route,make sure they are handled and cared for by women and men.

 

[pouchedrat]

Feeder rats tend to have the worst problems, and like she says, oftentimes suffer from tumors, URI's, lice or mites, etc. It's never fun to have a mammary tumor removed only for three more to pop up a month later. And like I said, I've had SDA twice from pet stores, carried on my clothes, which almost whiped out my rats at home.

Rescues really are a great way to go, but the rats are more than likely former pet store rats so you don't avoid the health issues down the road, just any current ones they may have had. But with the rescues, at least they know the rats' personalities and can match you up. They also have trains so if nothing is near you, there are ways to get them to you (meaning, people will drive great distances, drop the rats off to the next leg of the trip, etc., to drive them across state to your area). I used to help out various rescues on the East coast before my son was born, going from Maine all the way to the southern tip of North Carolina to transport for them. The main rescues I helped aren't around anymore, unfortunately, but there are more.

I know of a breeder in Illinois whom i've known for years. Also, Rhineland Rat Rescue is in Wisconsin and yes, they are still doing rescue. I just don't think they update the website at all, but they do have rats currently available and they post on goosemoose.com.

 

[Ms.X]

I have to agree with what has been said so far: a rat is the best pocket pet, no question about it.

You guys really need to stop reminding me how awesome they are, it's making me want another one :}

 

[ZergFront]

Teddy Bear hampster. I had one years back named Pikachu, female. They are bigger than the dwarves obviously but they seem to have a much better temperament (not as territorial of their cage when handled regularly). Don't put them on high ground; their eye-sight is very poor and likely will slip off a table or chair if not watched.

I've had both the dwarf and the Teddy Bear. One of the dwarf males would bite if anything (even a hand) got in his cage but was fine after you cupped him and took him out of his domain. The other male we assume had heart failure because he was dying right next to the wheel (his favorite activity).

 

[Kirsten]

Another rat vote. Surprise! Females are smaller and quicker. Usually wanting to climb and play, etc. Males tend to be big lazy squishes that want to lay in your lap or hammocks all day. There are, of course, exceptions.

I didn't read through all the posts, so I don't know if anyone mentioned that females can be prone to mammary tumors, later in life, that may require surgery. It's been said that keeping them in total darkness for ~12 hr. night periods can help prevent this. I've never had a behavioral issue with the pet store rats. Mark and Jackson (my boy ratties) high five for the rats

 

[Galapoheros]

I met the "rat lady" in Austin Tx and she convinced me ....a rat. She even made me feel like getting one! I can't believe I'm even thinking about it. From what I've heard, you can't beat a rat with what's available out there. Hey, remember that movie, "Ben"?