[zemiq]

I'm new to this whole "rat thing." I have wanted to have pet rats since I was a little kid. One of my best friends back then used to breed rats, but my parents would have none of that.

Well, I'm 24 now, and a fairly broke college student, but have found enough extra to invest in some rats. I've been doing lots of reading through online articles and forums, but this one seemed to be the best. I figured I should introduce myself since I may have so many questions to ask in the near future. I don't have rats yet... I am currently trying to get a good cage ready for them to come home to.

 

[Kimmiekins]

Don't forget to start a vet fund, as well. If you're a broke college student, you'll want to have a nice nest for when/if your ratties get sick. It happens! Rats aren't exactly cheap pets.

Do you live in the dorms? Make sure you'll allowed to have rats if you do! Many people have snuck rats in and then had to find homes for them QUICK when they were found out.

Now that I've got the negative things out of the way, welcome! It's great to see that you're planning ahead. You'll love rats as pets. They're fantastic!

Ask away, that's what we're here for!

 

[JennieLove]

I know how it is being a broke college student, cuz I pretty much still am one xD But I do save up for all my babies, for food, vets, stuff like that. Well anyways if you have any questions feel free to ask and Welcome to the forums!

 

[Inesita]

Hi there! Welcome!

 

[zemiq]

Hi everybody. I don't live in dorms, so I'm good. And if worst came to worst, and for some reason I HAD to get rid of them (which I don't foresee), I have a friend who would care for them until I found them a good place to live. I'd not be under any time pressure and there'd be no threat of them ending up at the animal shelter. That would be stressful for the rats still, but they won't be going anywhere.

Yeah, a vet fund is something I'll start putting aside for them. Has anyone thought about rat insurance? It's like 10 bucks a month. Small pet insurance covers SO many things (since it covers so many animals) that I have no idea if it covers common rat problems, especially respiratory ones.

 

[DonnaK]

Hello zemiq, welcome to the forums.

If you have a look around the health forum, there are a few discussions in there where people talk about insurance for rats and different vets' costs.

 

[Poppyseed]

I found a good rat insurance site I think I will be getting soon. Can't get it for Bert yet as I havn't had him for 60 days.

ttps://www.petinsurance.com/?a=23E25050-802A-228A-FA37B058AD9BC283&b=23E25060-802A-228A-F3C85ADBEDA25C89&c=23E25070-802A-228A-F305C25DA781FFE5

$9/month/rat!

Unfortunately for my ferrets it won't cover adrenal gland surgery because it's SOO common D: