The Cost of Pet Rats
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My nephew, Jon, has taken an interest in rats, thanks to me. He gets to spend time with mine when he comes down from Atlanta to visit. He is particularly fond of Ezri.
He has been asking his mom if he can have a pet rat, and she is considering it so Jon is asking me lots of questions about my rats and how much different things cost.
I think that his mom has told him that he will have to pay to take care of it out of his allowance because he’s asking me a lot of questions about how much things cost.
I fear that he thinks becasue a rat is small (very small when compared to his dog which is a Newfoundland.
So, I started thinking about the cost of owning a pet rat.
For one thing, you should always get at least 2 rats. They do better in pairs. While the males may sometimes want to live alone (Buddy would not tolerate another rat living with him) the females NEED friends without a doubt.
So, while his mom is goign to want to let him get ONE rat, if any, he needs at least 2.
Then you have to get a cage for them.
They need space. A hamster or gerbil cage isn’t going to do it. They need room to climb. You need room to hang their hammocks and put a wheel and other toys for them.
The one my girls live in is more or less identical to this one (except for color and mine has another floor up top) I payed about $80 for it.
Then you have to get bedding to put in the cage. I use aspen shavings (Pine and cedar are BIG no-nos) We buy huge bags of it that last a while. About $10 per bag.
Then you have to feed the little dears.
Jon is under the impression that he doesn’t have to buy food for the rat, but that it can eat what he eats. I corrected him on that REAL quick. They NEED rat food because they need to get the correct nutrients for a rat. Feed a rat nothing but human leftovers and they are not healthy rats.
I feed my girls Nutriphase because it is the brand that they seem to like best (we’ve tried others in the past). They also get fresh fruits and veggies and occasionally a bit of egg and Luka likes hard dog food. But people foods are a TREAT not their staple diet.
I refill their bowls every other day, (they get TONS of food in their bowl, plus the fruits and veggies) and the bags of food cost about $8.
So right now we have the BARE minimum. Cage. Bedding. Food. We’re at $98.
Now, you gotta actually get your rats, right? Well on average I’ve found them for adoption and breeders at $15 for one or $30 for a pair. Since you need at least a pair that bumps it up to $128
That is before getting other things that rats need. Toys (enough to switch them out regularly so they don’t get bored) treats (my girls love Yogies) hammocks (though you can make them pretty cheap using dishtowels from the dollar store and a set of 4 paperclips).
AND, there are vet bills. While rats don’t have to have the yearly vaccs like dogs and cats, they do get sick. They are prone to repritory infections. Females are prone to mamary tumors. Luka has her eye infections. Rats shoudln’t be considred a “disposable” pet to let get sick and die. They need vet care too.
So, while pet rats might come out cheaper in the long run than a dog or a cat, they are by no means a CHEAP pet, and might be out of the price range of a 8 year old boy.
I suggested that maybe he get a pair of mice instead, but he still wants a rat.
If he gets it and can’t handle it, I guess his Aunt Nona could always take it in.
July 28th, 2008 at 12:22 am
I think you did a great job explaining it to him. Animals, all animals, need proper care and nutrition if we are going to keep them as pets. I think in many ways exotic pets, rats, birds, lizards, etc, are more expensive than dogs and cats. Dogs and cats are common, food can be found fairly cheaply, vets are less expensive, things like that. I know I pay $40 for a vet visit for my dogs, but $65 for a visit for my bird. Same vet!!! I think it’s very important for young people to understand that an animal is a responsibility not just a whim. So good job on explaining it to him.
Flos last blog post..The birds
July 28th, 2008 at 12:59 am
“For one thing, you should always get at least 2 rats.”
Is this a tactic to make my swings wild?
Great post, alot of ppl don’t really understand the cost of having a pet, and definitely don’t have a clue about the exotics. They are expensive and the products you need you can’t get at Walmart after 7pm when most true pet stores close.
It’s good that U are skooling your nephew. He will be a much better pet owner in the future. Hopefully this is just a phase to get a Mickey, soon he will reconsider and join the superior bird world of Threio…LOL
Hi Luka and where’s my bat for the rest of the crew!
threios last blog post..The Truth in Addiction
July 29th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Great post, especially for people considering getting a pet rat.
I think vet bills for rats are more costly than dogs or cats as many vets in my area consider them “exotics” thus charge more money to treat them. The medication is also very expensive. But, to me, they are worth it.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Great information. All animals need care, and are not free. To give them the best we can we have to make that monetary investment.
Cynthia Blues last blog post..Sheltie Jack Wordless Wednesday
July 31st, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Flo, I’ve not found the cost to be any higher for my little girls. The hardest time I have is finding a competent vet to see them. Only one vet around her sees small animals and I don’t really care for her.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:19 pm
So true Threio, when you have exotic babies Wal-mart doesn’t have what you need.
Sadly, I don’t see a bird in my nephews future.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Rattie, I’ve never really had to pay more for my rats than my dogs I just have such a hard time finding a vet to see them.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Well said Cynthia.
November 28th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Thank you SO much for this post. Like your nephew, I am also thinking really hard about getting rats and found this post very helpful. (Of course I want to be 100% sure that I can afford a vet before I get a pair of rats.)
March 28th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
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So let’s cheer up. 
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