Would you ever consider getting a domesticated rat as a pet? (Read the description).

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 00:20:54 -0400

Domesticated rats get a bad rap. They are actually incredibly smart and can learn as many or more tricks than most dogs. They are incredibly social creatures who love human affection and spend more time cleaning themselves than cats. Rats live upwards of 2 years and require very little maintenance. Rats are very friendly, rarely if ever nip, and do incredibly well with other animals. :-)

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 19 at 2016 1:16 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 01:16:21 -0400

They have been trained to detect land mines.

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/07/31/427112786/in-cambodia-rats-are-being-trained-to-sniff-out-land-mines-and-save-lives

In Cambodia, Rats Are Being Trained To Sniff Out Land Mines And Save Lives

An estimated 4 to 6 million land mines are scattered throughout Cambodia, one of the world's worst-affected places. Rats possessing an exceptional sense of smell are being trained to detect the mines.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 19 at 2016 1:53 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 01:53:27 -0400

I've never had a pet rat myself, but my best friend used to have a couple. Just like you said, they were friendly, affectionate, and loved being handled. It made me want to get a couple of my own, but I ended up getting a dog instead.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2016 2:09 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 02:09:52 -0400

We had 2. Bought a Ferret cage for them, fed them bird food (no meat/products) and loved the heck out of them. Both were 6-1/2 pounds. Had no idea they grew to their environment. They even made the move from Seattle to Denver with us.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 19 at 2016 2:43 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 02:43:08 -0400

They're a fellow Mammal, I don't see, why not. My Daughter had quite a few Gerbils over the Years, Unfortunately they were prone to Brain Cancer and Dad had to give them a "Burial at Sea" it wasn't until much later that she learned what that meant. Mercy Killing with a Large Rock and pitching them in the Potomac River.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2016 2:43 AM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 02:43:34 -0400

I really didn't expect this positive of a reaction from RP. My wife and I are both very happy to see that other members have owned and loved these furry little guys. :-)

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Aug 19 at 2016 3:15 AM

TSgt Melissa Post — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 03:15:57 -0400

They look cute but I don't know if I could bring myself to own one. I did have a guinea pig and never thought I would be affectionate about that, but when he died, I actually missed a day of work. I was really torn up. Its possible, but I don't really see myself owning one at this point. Plus my cat might try to eat it.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Aug 19 at 2016 5:28 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 05:28:24 -0400

I think I married one.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2016 6:56 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 06:56:32 -0400

I've never had a pet rat but I do have a blue tounge skink lizard. They are friendly lizards.
http://bluetongueskinks.net/

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Response by SFC Josh Billingsley made Aug 19 at 2016 8:10 AM

SFC Josh Billingsley — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 08:10:04 -0400

Ariel Garneau and Capt Brandon Charters, a new solution for pest control?

Response by SPC Jillian O'Malley made Aug 19 at 2016 8:29 AM

SPC Jillian O'Malley — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 08:29:33 -0400

We have a set of Gerbils right now and we love them, they are in a huge cage, 20 gallon tank on the bottom with a 4 level cage topper. We are considering getting rats next. Being able to cuddle them out of the cage, and being able to let them taste small scraps of human food sounds fun. Also, being able to build them an outdoor run for daily exercise seems like it would be a fun family activity. And watching them sleep in a hammock? Adorable

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Aug 19 at 2016 9:24 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 09:24:32 -0400

I get attached to my pets and loosing one every couple years would be hard.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2016 9:32 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 09:32:46 -0400

I don't care how domesticated they are:

http://www.orkin.com/rodents/rats/rat-borne-diseases/

Rodent Borne Diseases: Types of Diseases Carried & Spread by Rats

Rat bites and scratches can result in disease and rat-bite fever. Rat urine is responsible for the spread of leptospirosis, which can result in liver and kidney damage. It can also be contracted through handling or inhalation of scat.Complications include renal and liver failure, as well as cardiovascular problems.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Aug 19 at 2016 11:24 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 11:24:59 -0400

ENS Private RallyPoint Member Why not .. We elect them to public office... :-)

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Aug 19 at 2016 2:34 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 14:34:39 -0400

I never had a pet rat,but I did have a Tarantula in my sand table (portrayed the patrol routes we took out on the range)he or she? Did an outstanding job keeping the trainees hands from ruining my work of art,had to watch the Louisiana guys though they probably would have ate him or her? given the chance,no offense but some of those boys were different.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 19 at 2016 2:47 PM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 14:47:19 -0400

Do you let them run around the house, or what?

Response by SrA Weston Sperbeck made Aug 22 at 2016 5:22 AM

SrA Weston Sperbeck — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 05:22:02 -0400

I want 4 or more so I can name them the rat pack

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 2:32 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 14:32:56 -0400

I had 2 pet rats, adorable and cute. I had to give them away when I PCS'd to military housing. Unfortunately they died about a few months after I gave them away.