If you told me a year ago that I would be the proud owner of two adorable pet rats, I would have laughed in your face. Rats? As pets? No way!
But that’s exactly what happened. And let me tell you, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. In this post, I’m going to share with you how I adopted two pet rats and fell in love with them.
How I Got Interested in Rats
It all started when I stumbled upon a YouTube video of a rat doing tricks. I was amazed by how smart and cute the rat was. It could fetch, spin, jump through hoops, and even play basketball!
I was curious to learn more about rats, so I did some research online. I found out that rats are actually very social, intelligent, and affectionate animals. They can bond with their owners, recognize their names, and even show empathy.
I was intrigued by the idea of having a rat as a pet, but I was also hesitant. I had some common misconceptions about rats, such as:
- Rats are dirty and carry diseases.
- Rats are aggressive and bite.
- Rats are nocturnal and noisy.
- Rats smell bad and need a lot of cleaning.
I decided to do some more research to find out the truth about these myths. Here’s what I learned:
- Rats are actually very clean animals. They groom themselves regularly and can be litter trained.
- Rats are not aggressive by nature. They only bite if they feel threatened or in pain. Most pet rats are very gentle and friendly.
- Rats are not strictly nocturnal. They adapt to their owner’s schedule and can be active during the day or night.
- Rats don’t smell bad if they are kept in a clean cage with proper bedding and ventilation. They also have a natural musky scent that some people find pleasant.
After learning these facts, I was more convinced that rats could make great pets. But I still had some doubts. Would I be able to take care of them properly? Would they get along with each other and with me? Would they be happy in a cage?
I decided to visit a local pet store that sold rats to see them in person and ask some questions.
How I Met My Two Pet Rats
When I entered the pet store, I headed straight to the small animal section. There were several cages with different rodents, such as hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and mice. But my eyes were drawn to the cage with the rats.
There were about a dozen rats of different colors and sizes. Some were sleeping in a pile, some were nibbling on food, some were exploring the cage, and some were playing with each other.
I asked the store clerk if I could hold one of the rats. He said yes and picked one up for me. It was a black-and-white hooded rat with bright eyes and a long tail. He handed it to me gently and told me to hold it close to my chest.
As soon as I held the rat, I felt a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart. The rat was soft and cuddly, and it didn’t try to escape or bite me. It sniffed my face curiously and then licked my nose.
I was smitten.
I asked the clerk if he had any other rats that were friendly and easy to handle. He said yes and showed me another one. It was a brown-and-white hooded rat with a pink nose and ears. He handed it to me carefully and told me to hold it in my other hand.
As soon as I held the second rat, I felt another wave of affection. The rat was calm and sweet, and it nuzzled my hand gently. It looked at me with trust and curiosity.
I was in love.
I knew right then that I wanted to adopt these two rats. They seemed like perfect companions for me. They were both males, so they wouldn’t breed or fight. They were also from the same litter, so they were already bonded.
I asked the clerk how much they cost and what else I needed to buy for them. He said they were $10 each and gave me a list of supplies:
- A large cage with multiple levels and hiding places
- A water bottle and a food bowl
- A high-quality rat food mix
- A bedding material that is safe and absorbent
- A litter box and a litter material that is dust-free
- Some toys and treats for enrichment
He also gave me some tips on how to care for them:
- Change their bedding and litter every week
- Provide fresh water and food every day
- Give them some fresh fruits and vegetables occasionally
- Avoid foods that are toxic or unhealthy for rats, such as chocolate, onion, garlic, citrus, and avocado
- Handle them gently and regularly to build trust and bond
- Let them out of the cage for at least an hour a day for exercise and play
- Keep them away from extreme temperatures, loud noises, and predators
- Check them for signs of illness or injury and take them to a vet if needed
I thanked the clerk for his help and bought everything I needed. I also chose two names for my new pets: Oreo and Cookie.
How I Brought My Two Pet Rats Home
I was so excited to bring Oreo and Cookie home. I put them in a small carrier with some bedding and a treat. They seemed curious and happy, not scared or stressed.
I drove home carefully and set up their cage in my bedroom. I made sure it was spacious, comfortable, and secure. I filled it with bedding, food, water, toys, and hiding places.
I then gently transferred Oreo and Cookie from the carrier to the cage. They immediately started to explore their new home. They ran up and down the ramps, sniffed every corner, chewed on some toys, and hid in some boxes.
They looked so adorable and lively. I watched them with delight and talked to them softly. I wanted them to get used to my voice and presence.
I decided to let them settle in for a while before trying to handle them again. I knew they needed some time to adjust to their new environment.
How I Bonded With My Two Pet Rats
Over the next few days, I spent a lot of time with Oreo and Cookie. I followed these steps to bond with them:
- I offered them treats from my hand. They were shy at first, but soon they learned that my hand meant something yummy. They started to come closer and take the treats gently.
- I let them sniff my hand and fingers. They were curious about my smell and touch. They started to lick my fingers and groom them.
- I stroked their fur lightly. They were nervous at first, but soon they relaxed and enjoyed the petting. They started to brux (grind their teeth) and boggle (pop their eyes) which are signs of happiness in rats.
- I picked them up carefully. They were scared at first, but soon they learned that I wouldn’t hurt them. They started to cuddle with me and snuggle in my arms.
- I let them out of the cage for playtime. They were eager to explore and have fun. They ran around the room, climbed on furniture, hid under blankets, and chased each other.
- I played with them with toys. They were playful and smart. They loved to fetch balls, tug ropes, push buttons, and solve puzzles.
Through these interactions, Oreo and Cookie became more confident and affectionate. They learned to trust me and love me. They also showed me their unique personalities:
- Oreo was more adventurous and outgoing. He was always the first one to try new things and meet new people. He was also more vocal and expressive. He would squeak, chirp, and chatter to communicate his feelings.
- Cookie was more cautious and shy. He was always the second one to follow Oreo’s lead. He was also more gentle and sweet. He would groom me, cuddle with me, and sleep on me.
They were both amazing and adorable. I loved them so much.
How My Two Pet Rats Changed My Life
Having Oreo and Cookie as my pets changed my life for the better. They brought me so much joy and comfort.
They made me smile every day with their antics and cuteness. They made me laugh every day with their tricks and games.
They made me feel loved every day with their cuddles and kisses. They made me feel needed every day with their care and attention.
They also taught me some valuable lessons:
- They taught me to be more compassionate and respectful towards animals. They showed me that rats are not pests or vermin, but living beings with feelings and intelligence.
- They taught me to be more responsible and organized. They showed me that having pets requires commitment and dedication.
- They taught me to be more creative and adventurous. They showed me that there is always something new to learn and discover.
Oreo and Cookie are not just my pets; they are my friends, my family, my soulmates.
They are the best thing that ever happened to me.
And that’s how I adopted two pet rats and fell in love with them.
If you are thinking about getting a pet rat, I highly recommend it. They are wonderful companions that will enrich your life in many ways.
But before you do, make sure you do your research and prepare yourself. Rats are not low-maintenance pets. They need a lot of space, time, and care.
They also have a short lifespan, usually 2 to 3 years. This means you will have to face the inevitable loss and grief sooner than later.
But trust me, it’s worth it. The love and happiness they give you will outweigh the pain and sadness.
If you have any questions or comments about pet rats, feel free to leave them below. I would love to hear from you and share more of my experiences.
Thank you for reading my blog post. I hope you enjoyed it and learned something new.
Until next time,
Alice Garcia
