Life With Pet Rats | Daily Routine & Q&A

[@KimCarmenWalsh]

"I am a rat mom".....not an often-enough used phrase and you say it so sweetly!! 🧡

[@emmamarie2140]

‘Has trouble sharing food with others’ - relatable!😂

[@marcoandaloro7339]

I may be a rat

[@erikaserika]

"I'll call them and they'll come to me." God I wish I were a Rat Khaleesi.

[@MituDjakarian]

That made me laugh!

[@TheNudeMaker]

Rats are super smart and surprisingly easy to train! My boys come to me by name too, but it’s still super cute. I highly encourage you to embrace your rat khaleesi urges!

[@lynnettedoves5405]

Shaina Erika I am shania, MOTHER OF ALL RATS

[@TheNudeMaker]

Lynnette Doves I wish I could upvote this a thousand times!

[@odiariodesam5930]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@aestheticallyaspiring2692]

I remember watching your videos when you first got the rats, and I remember being like: “why rats?” Now after all these years, I’m like: “when am I gonna get rats!?”lol. I love that you still have the rats and share their little lives with us on KZbin🥰💕

[@glenbe4026]

I originally got pet rats as I was not allowed a dog in my apartment. Now they are my second favourite pet. Personality-wise they are a bit between a cat and a dog. They can come when they are called by name (they can learn their name) but often like cats, they will only come when they want to or when they think food is forthcoming.

[@nkamilla003]

I had a rat once and he was the smartest little guy I've known!!! I feel like most people only think about rats as harmful animals but they are really an amazing friend especially when you're going through a hard time❤

[@dinabeh2900]

I love rats. I grew up having them. My heart rat, Sandy, was so sweet. She didn’t stay in a cage. She had free roam of my room. I had another rat that had had a stroke and so i would hand feed her. She lived in a hot pink purse i took with me everywhere and slept between my neck and shoulder every night. I currently do not because i have young kids but i look forward to having them in the future again.

[@morganstaker4928]

Dina Beh aw! I totally wish I could let my rats free roam! They would be super happy!

[@Z5Z5Z5]

Woah! That's so cool honestly. I would be scared they would get lost in my room or the rest of my house.

[@Z5Z5Z5]

How did you clean the poop around your room or are they like trained to poop in a certain spot

[@amyeethomas2495]

Dina so awesome!!! I have had rats my whole life starting when I was like 8 or 9. Had one as a teen named Marshall he lived over 4 years he was a beast!! I had my male dumbo rocko that boy was my heart!! He lived for 2 years he passed away this past September. I will never be over it I miss him soooo much. He free range and actually slept in bed with us. Most people didnt understand how he could be free range but he just followed me like a cat or dog would. He loved the weave in between my feet when I wore skirts chasing my feet like a puppy would. Lol. He got to a point where I and he knew it was the end as I type this the tears are hitting my screen he passed away while sleeping on my chest. I took prints of his paws and plan to get them tattooed. On thanksgiving I decided I wanted another one. I know have a Berkshire named zoom. His name suits him dude NEVER stops!!

[@amyeethomas2495]

@ z. Mine was actually litter trained. They special litter for rodents. As my male got older he decided he liked to poop behind the tv stand greatttt right lol no so seeing as he contained it to just that spot id cut them to a smaller size and put puppy potty pads down thst way no urine got on the carpet.

[@CheerfulPie]

Rats are so cute and smart! 🐀

[@Kaizakiarata1]

Not more than her 🙃

[@Jodiescox]

Yes!

[@mouseluva]

THEY ARE SO CUTE! I had pet mice from age 6-16 and I miss them dearly. It's amazing how much personality rodents can have. Bless their little noses and hands and big squishy tummies

[@sneezebiscuits7239]

Oh yeah, we've been having pet mice since 2009, and each and every one of them has brought us so much joy

[@tubeyuber65]

This makes me so happy! The rat stigma needs to end already, they are truly incredible

[@emmaclancy9342]

I love that they're all Irish names!! So cute!!

[@TheSiobhan12]

Emma Clancy was thinking the same thing. Then again I am a wee bit partial. Lol ☘️🇮🇪🍀

[@quirkypurple]

Durmuid/Dermot the rat. Brilliant.

[@victoriansquirrel]

I always wanted rats, and you are one of my reasons why I finally got mine. I got them from a shelter a while ago and they‘re still a bit shy, but I love my boys anyway 💕

[@ekartak]

I had a couple ratties a few years ago. They are wonderful little pets. Very sweet and affectionate.

[@taylorsanderlin948]

Recently my never ending rat cycle ended and I have been without my rats for a few months now. I loved watching your video! My girls brought so much joy into my life and I'm happy to see you love your rats just as much! It's rare to find another rat owner where I live!

[@SurfingBirdish]

i had a pretty emotional evening, and this video made me cry from the cuteness. i'm a bunny mom myself, but i'm a pet person in general, and it's so nice to see ratties get all the love, care and attention they deserve

[@s.h9519]

Every rat owner should take notes from you! I am impressed.

[@xsinkingships]

Wonderful video, I love your sweet rats and it was great to hear how much you love them. They are clearly very happy and well cared for. Also, that brown floral dress you wore while doing the laundry looks lovely on you!

[@lcwaves]

I love this video, my husband and I are rat parents to four boys as well, ours are young (around 4 months) - they are a lot of work, but we love having them around, they are such special and wonderful little companions!

[@neulasia]

it makes me laugh how alike we are. same cage, mixing own food, on my ninth & tenth rat boys now (my first two also just 'happened'), naming after linguistic interests... those bell things are adorable, can't see my boys agreeing to wear such things though. :D it makes me happy to see other doting rat keepers talking about their pets, they really are amazing little beings.

[@LibrarianOnUr6]

So glad you made an entire video about your little ratites! They are all so sweet! Growing up we had some rats- and what you said is very true, each one has their own personality and quirks:)

[@Marianne-F]

Awww how cute! my sister had rats when i was growing up. I remember one of their names were Paganini. They were so cuddly!

[@sacredmoon7325]

MarianneF is it okay just to get one

[@Marianne-F]

@@sacredmoon7325 I have no real knowledge when it comes to rat care or having them as pets! i was very young when my sister had them. She did always have two at the same time though. But whether that was because they can't be alone or something i have no idea! I never looked in to it my self as an adult :) i guess a rat breeder or pet store might be able to answer that?

[@johnorsomeone4609]

Rats are the best thing that ever happened to me too. It was nice to hear someone else say that.

[@evelineeveryday338]

Hey Loepsie! I found you recently through your historic hairstyles and love your channel. I was SO excited when I found out that you have rats! I used to have rats (can't have pets at the moment, so am compensating by getting 1000 plants instead) and love them. Thanks for this ratty video and for all the wonderful content on your channel :D

[@madgeisizzles]

I started following you recently, and I also have rats! I'm obsessed with them! How exciting!

[@mosingbubble]

I LOVE the curly coated rat!! He's so cute! They're all cute though, I love pet rats so much!

[@devancarpenter9706]

Your boys look happy and healthy! I'm a "cat mom" to three boys! They bring such joy and we can't imagine life without them! Thanks for sharing what life is like with your "rat boys"! 😊🐁💗

[@tylermitchell.420]

Ironically, I literally just got an ad for rat poison on this video lol

[@Tali812]

That company is so stupid for putting it on this video xD

[@swordablaze9259]

🤣 Wow. They might need to fix their marketting algorithm.... idiots. XD

[@bushido_does]

😂

[@chrystalsnow145]

what do you mean you just got an ad for rat poison - it's not clear?

[@kasei3363]

😂😂😂

[@aliiannucci3135]

I love this so much!! I was a rat mom to 2 boys, Fred and George, for 2 years but they passed away last year (5 days apart, before I had a chance to get some new friends for the second one). I miss them but I love seeing yours and living vicariously through them

[@sarahallegra6239]

Aww! Thank you for sharing all about your babies with us! They look absolutely precious and I would love to cuddle up with them on the couch 😊 I used to have guinea pigs and I love seeing little furry critters like them. Rats sound like they’d be delightful some day!!

[@FeliciaKorvo]

I've been watching your videos for a year or more and just now found out you took celtic studies! Iiterally said "no way" out loud, because yes hi, my minor is celitc studies as well!!

[@wombatop4069]

They are so adorable and your story was such a heart warming story. Hearing how much you devoted yourself to them in learning all the ways you can be a healthy and happy rat owner/mother to them was really sweet to hear. I always thought rats were ugly until my X-girlfriend got me 2 females because I started forming a bond with her rats. Now I'm a big softy for the little fuzzy things. Great video👍

[@channie1234]

OMG I've been watching your videos on and off whenever they appeared on my recommendations, but only JUST did this video show up. As a rat mum myself, I was SO HAPPY to see this. I have two boys, Darrow (Champagne, red eyed) and Sevro (Russian blue, dark eyed) named after two of my favourite book characters (Red Rising series by Pierce Brown). I can't believe you have rats omg!!!!

[@jojooffaraway2675]

That bell idea is genius. I need to keep that in mind for when I have rats again, when I had rats first they tended to get a little lost (I still knew they were in my room but where was an issue ^^)

[@quirkypurple]

That's really cute that you call them and that little one pops his head through the hole. Good idea to give them a treat when returning to the cage. It's a nice way for them to return to the cage.

[@jamescampbell3042]

I’ve had rats cats and dogs living together. The rats are always in charge.

[@cats3185]

I’ve always said that the food chain of pets goes from smallest at the top with the largest at the bottom (usually dogs lol).

[@jaxiebot7035]

lol cool!!

[@puredemon5926]

They're so cute! Love it when they make little tunnels in the blankets and poke their faces out. Been thinking about getting a hedgehog, but I'll definitely wait until I have my own place- I'm living with two other people, and it's a small apartment lol. Not that much room for a rodent. Thought about mice, or rats, but I always went back to hedgehogs. Each are so cute though, but I like going a different route. :)

[@StarchaserXFER]

I’d recommend switching to a nice substrate for the bottom of their cage, such as Snowflake Supreme, but any kiln-dried dust-extracted substrate would do. The amount of fleece unfortunately encourages peeing and, even with you cleaning regularly (which itself will encourage more smelling and scenting), can build up ammonia which is dangerous for them. The substrate is more natural, helps with smell and is fun to dig and explore in too! It means less cleaning too, apart from perhaps spot cleaning, which frees up your time too. Much with the fleece, the shelves can encourage peeing (rats infamously do this on flat/smooth surfaces), so most rat owners recommend taking shelves out (though these are useful for when they’re older for accessibility) and replace with dog ropes, baskets and such for them to be in, loads of hammocks, there’s loads of things you can add! Generally, the more the space is filled up the better but it depends on the rat(s). I couldn’t see it in the video so I apologise if it’s something you already have but a litter box, even with older rats can help with them pooing in one spot and get a pee rock for them to help with urine too. Again, something dust-extracted like a recycled paper cat litter but not an absorbent one like a hard pellet one as you can the same issue as with the fleece. The smaller wheels you have aren’t ideal for rats due to the curvature of the spines but I’d highly recommend Tic Tac Wheels if you can get one! They range from 12-16” (16 recommended), easy to clean and great for exercise. The cage bar space too might be an issue for younger rats who could easily get their heads through but it depends when you get them of course and not sure of the exact measurement here. You might want to take out raisins in your mix as these can be too sugary for them to have regular access too and would be better as a rare treat. I’d look into what’s called the Shunamite diet, check it out on Google! It’s arguably the best way for owners like yourself who make their own mix! Your rex boy looks like one of my old boys so I loved watching him. I’ve had girls and boys myself but currently have a group of 3 boys and a neutered boy and girl together, long story on that one! I hope advice is useful and considered and thanks for introducing everyone to your mischief! ☺️

[@brisakeizer4050]

Great feedback 👍🏻

[@arieltrue3719]

The way the rat tries to help out his bud by taking the elastic off him at 5:51. Rats are so cute and social ❤

[@PpAirO5]

The water and vinegar solution is a good idea to romove bad smell. You can also use vinegar when cleaning your clothes, it both softens the clothes, kills bacteria, removes bad smell, helps clean the pipes/insides of the washing-machine, and it's less damadging to the environment 😁 I use it myself.... just don't use to much or your clothes will smell of sour vinegar 😅 Ohh, and it's cheap 😉👍

[@kazbekki]

Amazing! I've enjoyed your videos for a while now especially your hair related ones but I never knew you had rats 😍 I also have 4 very sweet boys. Love your setup and your boys are so adorable!

[@thistle.thieves]

Thank you for sharing this information! We have three baby rat ladies and I’m trying to learn as much as possible to provide a happy healthy home for them. ☺️

[@millalol8360]

This is the first video I’ve seen of you, but you are sooo pretty I can’t!

[@mellimoon77]

Your little rat boys are so sweet. Love them!

[@LittleWaffle]

Greetings from Belgium ^^ I Loved this video. Your rat family is adorable, just like yourself! 🐀

[@suzqz92z]

New to your channel but love this! We rescued 4 boys a few years ago. Then bought 2 more boys and they have been wonderful! They are such a fun pet to have but sadly dont live long. We lost the original 4 boys over these past 6 months and are now down to 2.

[@nikolhiltonicio0c93]

wow didnt know u have pet rats too. the respect i have for u just keeps growing

[@CoUpOnMoMmY23]

We just adopted a one eyed rat from our pet store and I needed this video! Thank you!

[@gachaspaghetti5920]

I used to own rats! It’s really hard to take care of them but they give you so much affection in return! Sadly my rats passed away from old age

[@anitaruza8430]

oh my god they are so cute

[@badnotes2101]

The rats?

[@Mariadarazi]

bad notes duh

[@snowchips9596]

I know too much about owning a pet rat for someone who doesn't have a pet rat lol but I love these type of videos, the rats are just so cute and smart , love them!

[@crispycaboodles]

Omg their little bells!!😭😭

[@silkehuybrechts7832]

They are so cute! I love their little personalities. And their little noses, and their little hands, ... Aaaaah so cute!

[@anny1free]

It was an amazing video, Lucy, I'm seriously thinking to have rat pets someday. I really didn't want to end this video, please make some more series about them and your relationship. It was very informative and interesting...thank you

[@sheilas1283]

They are very lucky rats! That’s a wonderful cage.

[@heden1460]

That's a lot of work. Good job on taking care of them.

[@lynnettedoves5405]

Hey I have a question, where did you get your cage? I’m looking to get one and I really really like this one but I don’t know which brand it’s from, thank you

[@MrPerfectionist2011]

You can use binder clips to secure the fleece in the sputnik. We used to do that but had to change the fleece frequently

[@TheAsmrAddict888]

The bells is genius if no one has told you. I think that's a brilliant idea. We all get a runner from time to time and correct they don't reveal their location unless they want you to know where there are. Luckily mine will come when called. 97% 9f the time. I am now going to be making bell collars/ harnesses. Thank you.

[@deletedaccount1990]

I am a rat-dad-to-be and plan to adopt a trio of male rats soon. I'm sooo excited. I will have so much fun playing with them and observing them.

[@Loepsie]

Enjoy! 😄

[@nynkekrans2925]

Your routine is so similar to mine! Happy to know we are doing the right things with our little babies

[@sophiesnature8494]

Tomarrow ill get 3 rats on my own! And im sooo excited!

[@lynnettedoves5405]

The Life Of My Pets OH MY GOSH! HOW ARE THEY! I’m hoping to get rats soon and I want to know a little more about what it’s like to bring them home

[@sophiesnature8494]

Lynnette Doves they are SOOO cute! You sure should get some! They are super social. When you put your hand in their home. They come to sniff it. I give them food out of the hand. And food lasts long! I made a box full of paper and they really enjoy that! I almost have them for a week now! If you want active rats, you should get girls. Boys are a little more lazy, im working on tricks for my girls❤️😃

[@lynnettedoves5405]

The Life Of My Pets Thank you so much! I’m also thinking about getting girls! But I’m also considering boys so I can cuddle with them and stuff! But I’m leaning towards girls!

[@deletedaccount1990]

Omg I am getting three male rats in less than a month and I'm sooo excited.

[@KPO2222]

How did u create these levels in the cage? I have a cage like that but the levels where too small....my Dad built a cage from wood but now i find it hard to clean. It does smell alot. I Love ur video💖

[@Loepsie]

This cage came with the levels, I didn't have to do anything special :)

[@KPO2222]

@@Loepsie oh ok....i have to try and see to find a solution

[@blueUnicorns87]

I got 2 pet rats today, Jupiter and havoc. We got them a huge cage and plenty to chew on and explore. Jupiter is confident, climbs up the cage and chills in the hammock and havoc just stays in the same hiding spot. We've only seen her 3 times this evening

[@ava_the_bookworm]

Where can I find the fleece you use? I was wondering because the fleece seems to work really well for you.

[@Loepsie]

I use fleece blankets from IKEA! This is one of the cheapest they sell, I believe it comes at around €1,50 and I get a full set of lining out of one :)

[@ava_the_bookworm]

Loepsie Thanks so much. I’ll try that out, I’m glad I watched your video :)

[@hannahloveday4618]

Thank you for this upload. I love rats and it made me happy to see yours. Mine died in 2016/17 but I’m not allowed any more because my dad doesn’t like them. Rupert and Colin used to smell of oats 😂

[@Loepsie]

Haha Diarmuid smells like coffee & cookies and Bran smells like floral soap 😂

[@Ava-wx8cl]

I never knew you had rats! I LOVE YOU EVEN MORE NOW OMG! Even though I know everything about rats I still watch these kind of videos! ❤😙🤯😍

[@leilani21000]

Me and my mom really love rats! I am so excited that we are adopting one soon.❤

[@jackson-pf6oz]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4WUaoepe9Kjo5Y

[@pokkets9284]

I had pet rats for a few years, I miss them so much! Personally for me they were a lot of work, but they're great pets!

[@ulfljung4630]

You can make a hang matt with some fabric and safety pins. They love to sleep there. Accosionally they will bite it to small pieces. I just to have mine in a cage on top of the bathtub and made a lots of holes in the bottom and stones for fish tanks at the bottom. Then I used the shower to clean evwrything and all the piss would get thruevthe holes and the shit would float and go across the edge. Easy cleaning.

[@CentipedeChan]

SUCH PRECIOUS AND GOOD CREATURES I LOVE THEM

[@semiautomatic.companion]

I have a question- I was looking online for what to feed rats (as a future rat owner) and I was searching when to feed them and I read something and it said that if they don’t eat for 5 hours they go into a starving phase and IT REALLY SCARED ME Is this real?? Im scared do I have to feed them every 3 hours? If I feed them once will they naturally take some food and store it?? Do i put the pellets first and wait a couple hours before giving them vegetables? What vegetables do I feed them? When should I do this every day? Can I just put pellets in a bowl and wait until they finish it ?

[@stixandcritters4640]

You can just pour dry food (like pellets etc) in a food dish / bowl, they may not eat everything at once lol Don't worry, they will eat by themselves as often as they need to lol, you just must give them enough food You can give them vegetables (or any healthy treat) when you're with them, as a reward, or just as a gift so they'll get used to you

[@semiautomatic.companion]

Nezu 404 oh okay, thank you so much-

[@stixandcritters4640]

@@semiautomatic.companion you're welcome! I assume this also works for most rodents! (at least I'm sure it works for mice)

[@JustineMartinsMusic]

I literally just got a Ad for rat poison toward the end of this video. Lmao so awkward.

[@MeganM-ve2if]

I actually did not know you were a rap mom, and now I love you even more, rats make the best pets.

[@johnnylakis]

I have so many comments, all good, just watched the whole video twice, loved it!

[@iamtheonewhocares]

I've had cats and various types of rodents my whole life, it's very easy. Cats are smart, you teach them they're friends not toys and that's that!

[@bonnied13]

Rats are amazing pets, we miss our two all the time. You sound like a great animal owner. Another suggestion for a pet (which both of you might enjoy) is a ferret. We couldn't have a dog in our apartment and never truly enjoyed cats so a ferret was a great compromise. It is part of the cat family (not rodent as many people assume), they are litter trained and also very playful (like a dog). You can take them outside or not, but your rat cage would totally work for a ferret, or, like we did, they can roam free like a dog or a cat.

[@mollybailey1841]

Love the Pilea peperomioides on your table ❤ and your lovely rat boys! People don't realize just how amazing rats are as pets. When I managed a pet store for years i always wanted a rat or a mouse but i have 6 cats and 2 dogs so it would not have been fair to them. I will live vicariously. ❤

[@maijanurmi7859]

Thank you for yor video. I have been seriosly intrested in pet rats, knowing pretty well the responsibility there is having any kind of a pet. Lookig for information before deciding. Lovely, intelligegent pets.

[@christy0202]

I had 2 rats when I was 10 and they were so much fun! they never bit unlike all my friends hamsters. I could close my door and let them run around my room and they would go back in their cage when they were tired. I used to make them all sorts of toys (looking back now i dont think i used entirely safe materials but I was 10 and dint realize obviously but they still remained healthy their whole lives).

[@brokebogan91]

Rats are the most adorable, and my most favourite animal.

[@meadowbird]

How do you deal with poos and wees when they are out playing? That’s the only thing that I’m not sure about when it comes to owning rats. They are gorgeous by the way!

[@Loepsie]

I clean it up 😜 It's very little, they really prefer to do their business in the cage where they're used to

[@lisasimpson4189]

Your voice is so calming

[@jolashuk3226]

I had rats and we were able to train them to go in a litter in there cage so I would only have to change the litter often

[@NortherlyFool]

I have three rat boys 🥰 love them so much! Such sweethearts!

[@katelennon6869]

Love your rats, plants, fringe and glasses!!

[@marysoubble1053]

My pet rat (pepe) would greet me every morning. I had him in an old aquarium. When I put my hand out, he would run up my arm and ride around on my shoulder. It was his favorite space. I really miss him. :(

[@ekartak]

They are soooo cute! Have you given them frozen peas as treats?? My boys LOVED the frozen peas.

[@Loepsie]

I plan to do some pea bobbing with them when it gets hot in summer 😍

[@ekartak]

Loepsie so much fun! Make a video so we can enjoy it too!!!!

[@juliaarnold1078]

Can they live and roam freely around the house if it is ‘Rat proofed’. How would you ‘rat proof an entire room?

[@Loepsie]

I guess they could, but I can't imagine it in my house 😁 A rat proof room is one where they can't hurt themselves, eat anything they shouldn't, chew up wires and cables, leave/get lost, or ruin (chew, scratch, tear) anything precious... Basically one where it's safe for them to run around, especially if you want to let them do it unsupervised. I know some people have a spare room that's empty except for rat toys, cat towers, litter boxes and food & water, like a massive cage. That'd be perfect :)

[@juliaarnold1078]

Loepsie thats good to know :) im definitely not apposed to getting rats, just not right now, i have a cat and im not sure how he would do with animals that are much smaller then him!

[@emilymioton5314]

Ahh I’m getting two more boys and I’m pretty excited. My rats take up about a quarter of my room There cage has a good playpen around it and it’s open most of the time. They were in a small cage for 8 months with their previous owner so I just wanna spoil em now

[@emk9446]

I see you keep fancy rats and dumbo rats together aw they looks adorable

[@kooby122]

This is an old comment. but fancy and dumbo rats are the same. They require the same care. Just dumbo rats have a different ear shape.

[@CurlyVeil]

Adorable 🙏🏼💙congratulations 🌸you are so adorable

[@mirrinah5689]

I love them all so much , I’m crying

[@xlgbeautyx]

Hey what cage is this? Im hoping to get rats soon and currently trying to find the best cage, thanks!

[@arceyu1866]

Thank u very much bc im getting two pet rats this weekend and I found this extremely helpfull thank you ! x)

[@lindathrall5133]

I'VE HANDLED PET RATS AND THEY LOVE TO POP THEIR LITTLE PINK TONGUE OUT AT ME. I LOVE THOSE LITTLE PINK RAT PAWS THEY ARE SO ADORABLE ALONG WITH THOSE LONG WHISKERS

[@katietaylor8314]

When they poke their tongues out, it's called doing a mlem!

[@bailey2761]

My neighbor found a litter of rats in the locker room when we were in middle school. They were going to be killed so she snuck them home and raised them. I took 2 of them and they grew into two big fat happy boys. I wish I had taken better care of them but I just didn’t know enough. I gave them away to someone more experienced and I remember crying when she took them. They were so much sweeter and social than I had ever imagined. It’s been 10 years since I got rid of them and now that I live alone in a house and I’ve done lots of research, I think I’m ready to get a pair again and love them for their whole lives 🖤

[@minna8508]

The little bells are so cute 😍

[@henrikashenrikas7689]

Hi I'll will get rats today and i was wondering how much do you need to give them

[@elaw334]

they're so sweet! i miss having ratties around, this video had me smiling the whole time !

[@austinyork2183]

At my high point, I was a rat mama of 11 girls all at once. I was a high school biology teacher, and I'd take four rats in to school to hang out for a week, and then I would bring them home and take in another four for the next week. The students formed a "Rat Pack" club of mostly 9th and 10th graders who would snuggle and train the rats at school. At home, we had a 7 foot cage with modular pieces that we put together differently every week -- swings, bridges, tunnels. Lots of vicarious living happening as we "architectured" a new adventure for them. When it was time for them to come out and run around the room, we would sing the Monty Python's Flying Circus theme song -- all of them would start running, climbing, zooming around in eager anticipation! Their favorite activity by far was going for a ride in their travel cage in the car -- lots of vestibular stimulation! As a note for anyone interested in rats: females stay skinny. And because their hormones do cycle, they occasionally smell like paper whites (the flowers) or the perfume counter at Macy's. You can also learn to "flirt" with the girls when they are in estrus, and they really get into chasing and being chased by your hand .... they wiggle their ears in flirtation. It's the best. Downside of having female rats is that they are more prone to tumors. Oh, I miss my ratties! They don't live long enough.

[@leighamanda83]

Did you have any trouble getting them to wear their "collars"? I feel like mine would just pull a collar off lol.

[@Loepsie]

They can't pull it off if it sits under their armpits 😁 although they do sometimes get one of their pals to take it off for them, haha