Hmm, touchy topic it seems

3228 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by 2manyrats, Jul 19, 2007

Lesath

Discussion Starter · Jul 17, 2007

I was wondering what everyones opinions are on feeders as pets. I know from a few posts I've read here that most people do not wish to discuss feeders, but they are rats too aren't they? Most of my rats have come from feeder sections of pet shops. Are they more prone to disease or something? The shop I go to has a few ladies that breed the rats and care for them. They have a huge breeding program there and at any time they might have upwards of 100+ rats ranging in all walks of life. Most of my rats have come from there. The ladies will take out any dumbos or extremely well marked, or well behaved rats and put them into the pet community for sale as pets.

Anyway I saw a few people say "Never buy a feeder as a pet!" and I just wonder why. They've always made as great of a pet for me as a breeder raised pet from a private owner. But there could be something very important I'm missing! I live in a rural area and finding rat breeders is very difficult without having to drive for an hour to get to them. I don't have air conditioning in my car and it gets -really- hot here so I don't dare take my ratties in the car. I usually just get my rats from the local shop. There is a petsmart and a petco in town, but I don't really like their rats, they seem to never get any hands on experience while they are caged there. I've got a rat from petco before and it took a long time to tame him, and he still isn't as "human happy" as the rest of my ratties.

Save

1 - 2 of 17 Posts

Vixie

· #2 · Jul 17, 2007

The vast majority of feeders are produced instead of bred...like a puppy mill. Buying feeders raises the demand and creates more unwanted rats.

Unknown genetics create disease and distemperment. Furthering these diseases by breeding are an insult to the rat breeding fancy.

Yes, feeders are rats too, but it is hard for us to talk about a rat who will be swallowed by a snake while we hold on to our pet rats.

In general, feeders are poorly bred, mass produced, and just typically not good pets.

Save

Vixie

· #5 · Jul 18, 2007

Lesath said:
is there a health benefit that I should know about with neutering?

Yes, in fact, neutering may lengthen your rat's life span. For males, it can chop off the territorial behavior and make them big cuddly squishes. In addition, it negates the chances of testicular cancer and other testosterone related health problems.

For females, the benefits are numberous. Greatly lowered risk of mammary tumors, cancer in the uterus and, of course, no pregnancy.

If I've left something out, please do add on.

Save

1 - 2 of 17 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month