[GrumpymouthGirl]

Hi All,

Pets in any shape or form are fantastic (even pet rocks) but my passion for animals lies in the rodent family. Specifically, I have a fancy rat and a Gambian Pouched Rat, both of whom I love to pieces. Just wondering if anyone else loves their rats, and especially if anyone out there has a GPR.

x K

[Travelinglady]

Hi, GrumpymouthGirl, and welcome to Psych Central! I know someone here who fosters pet rats until they can be adopted, but I don't think I should say who it is. But, yes, someone here keeps rats!

[Maven]

I don't keep rats (at least so far), but I love them. I would consider getting one (or more) if I had the space and money. Well, let me be a bit more honest: My priority is to get a couple of dogs and maybe cockatiels, but I would accept rats into my family. (Some think some of my family already contains rats! ) I've had hamsters and guinea pigs in the past. I love all animals.

[GrumpymouthGirl]

Hi Maven, I definitely recommend rats as a pet, but you sound like you don't need convincing! Thanks for your reply xx K

[medicalfox]

I used to have three dumbo rex girls and I loved them dearly. Rats are by far one of my favourite animals to have and I found males to be easier to own since they like to cuddle whereas females are very active.

[GrumpymouthGirl]

Originally Posted by medicalfox

I used to have three dumbo rex girls and I loved them dearly. Rats are by far one of my favourite animals to have and I found males to be easier to own since they like to cuddle whereas females are very active.

I agree with you, males can be more cuddly. My dumbo boy, Dean, isn't cuddly though - he's more like a girl-rat - very active and clambering all the time! Since the passing of his brother Hank, he's been coming out of his shell more. Hank was dominant and would bully him and take his food. Now he's filling out nicely, ha ha

[medicalfox]

Originally Posted by GrumpymouthGirl

I agree with you, males can be more cuddly. My dumbo boy, Dean, isn't cuddly though - he's more like a girl-rat - very active and clambering all the time! Since the passing of his brother Hank, he's been coming out of his shell more. Hank was dominant and would bully him and take his food. Now he's filling out nicely, ha ha

Aw well that's good. What is it like to own a Gambian Pouched Rat? I've heard of them before, but you aren't allowed to keep them where I live so I have no experience with them.

[GrumpymouthGirl]

Originally Posted by medicalfox

Aw well that's good. What is it like to own a Gambian Pouched Rat? I've heard of them before, but you aren't allowed to keep them where I live so I have no experience with them.

Dom, my GPR, is amazing. He was cuddly as a baby but when he reached maturity he got a bit bitey and now I just leave him be. I give him lots of treats and talk to him all the time though. He's a big rat, very territorial and can be aggressive if you reach into his cage - which is of course his home. Other people have much richer experiences with their GPR's though, and can handle them and bring them out of their cages. They are I understand illegal to keep in the States, but are proving a popular pet in the UK

[medicalfox]

Originally Posted by GrumpymouthGirl

Dom, my GPR, is amazing. He was cuddly as a baby but when he reached maturity he got a bit bitey and now I just leave him be. I give him lots of treats and talk to him all the time though. He's a big rat, very territorial and can be aggressive if you reach into his cage - which is of course his home. Other people have much richer experiences with their GPR's though, and can handle them and bring them out of their cages. They are I understand illegal to keep in the States, but are proving a popular pet in the UK

Did you ever consider getting him neutered? That could make him more friendly to an extent.

I don't know what breed mine are, they're just common pet rats.