Which gender is better to take a decorative rat into an apartment: the pros and cons of decorative rats for boys and girls, recommendations for choosing

A decorative pet rat is a smart animal that will become a true friend for you. With proper upbringing, the animal can learn its name and respond to the owner’s call.

Help: sounds for rats are different from ours. The rat brain “hears” many things differently than a human. Animals love clicking and hissing sounds, so you should choose an appropriate name. If a combination of sounds is unpleasant for decorative rats, then they will simply ignore them.

What kind of domestic rodents exist: list of species, how long do they live at home?

Pet rodents
Pet rodents are deservedly popular. Small furry animals are funny, cute and relatively unpretentious - they are easier and more economical to keep than a cat or dog. There are several types of rodents that are suitable for living at home. Here is the list:

Common hamsters
Djungarian hamsters
Guinea pigs
Decorative rabbits
Chinchillas
Gerbils
Rats, etc.

Decorative rats occupy not the last place among pet rodents. They are distinguished by intelligence, affection and learning ability, as well as greater cleanliness than is commonly thought.

Difficulties in keeping rodents can arise due to their need to sharpen their teeth. Rodents are rodents: they love to taste everything, even wires. Disadvantages include the low life expectancy of animals at home. If guinea pigs can live 6-8 years , then rabbits and chinchillas can up to 15 years . The lifespan of other small rodents is about 3 years . This also applies to decorative rats. When choosing a pet (especially for a child), you need to keep this in mind to avoid future stress.

Where can I buy a rat?

It’s good if the future owner of a decorative rat has a familiar rat breeder who approaches rodent breeding with responsibility and knowledge of the matter. Otherwise, you will have to go to a specialized organization to purchase a pet:

Pet Shop . Pet stores are good with low prices. Here you can buy a rat for only 300-500 rubles. However, animals in pet stores are not always kept in accordance with established rules. For example, a couple of weeks after purchasing a female, it may turn out that she is pregnant.
Bird Market . Pet prices are the lowest here. The average cost of rats is 200-250 rubles. But at the market, sellers often pass off aging animals as young animals. They are also trying to sell outbred rat pups under the guise of purebred rats.
Online nurseries . The advantage of such organizations is the provision of documents indicating the good health of the rodent, including a vaccination certificate. Disadvantages include online dating through photographs. Prices start from 600 rubles. for a standard rat.
Professional breeders are ready to vouch for their pets, and also provide the buyer with a full package of documents. It includes a purchase and sale agreement indicating the characteristics of the animal and recommendations for its maintenance, passport, pedigree, veterinary passport. To purchase a decorative rat from a professional breeder you will have to pay from 1.5 to 3 thousand rubles.

Where it is better to buy a pet, everyone decides for themselves. If a novice breeder plans to take a rat to exhibitions and competitions, it is better to give preference to purchasing from a professional breeder. If a fluffy dog is purchased exclusively for the role of a pet, a trusted pet store will do just fine.

Domestic decorative rats: gender differences in appearance

Male and female house rats are equally cute and fluffy, but differ slightly in appearance. The main indicators are size, body shape and coat properties. Gender differences in appearance are described below.

Male rats by :

Larger size and weight
Quite hard, dense wool
Pear-shaped body structure

The distinctive features of a girl rat are:

Smaller body size compared to males
Elongated torso
Silky, smooth and shiny fur

In addition to appearance, an important criterion for owners is the smell. Males smell stronger, mainly due to their habit of marking territory. However, with good care you can reduce it to a minimum.

Which breed is better to choose?

Not many people know that among decorative rats there are several varieties. From a genetic point of view, they may well interbreed. But in appearance they differ noticeably. The most common breeds of decorative rats:

Standard . Forms the basis of other varieties. The size of an adult male is 22-25 cm, weight - 450-500 g. For a female, similar parameters are 20-22 cm and 350-400 g. They are distinguished by a sharp muzzle and oval or triangular ears.
Dumbo are the cutest rodents. Their main difference is their large, wide-set ears, like the baby elephant in the cartoon “Dumbo.” Hence the name of the breed. In addition, rats of this variety have a more rounded face and a slightly more compact body size.
Rex, or curly rat . It has not only curly hair, but also curled short mustaches. The pups have slightly disheveled fur, which gives them a very cute appearance.
Double rex . In addition to the curly fur, it has another feature - rats of this breed are constantly in the process of molting. Therefore, they always have from 1 to 3 bald areas on their body.
Fuzz . This species is also called the downy rat. Her body is covered with short, sparse down. The pet feels like it's plush to the touch.
Sphinx . Like Sphynx cats, rats of this breed are hairless. Some individuals have sparse fluff on the face, paws and in the groin area. Sphynx rats are ideal pets for allergy sufferers.
Husky . They have a characteristic dark mask on their muzzle, making them very similar to dogs of the same breed. These rats look very original. But over time they lighten, and their characteristic pattern becomes almost invisible.
Tailless . One of the most expensive breeds. Due to the complete absence of a tail, tailless rats have problems with movement and also suffer from diseases of the genitourinary system.
Albino - better known as a lab rat. The main feature of this breed is the complete absence of coloring pigment in the body cells. This is why albinos have snow-white fur and red eyes.

In fact, there are many more varieties of decorative rats. Which one to choose is up to the future owner to decide. By the way, it is better to choose a pet not according to breed, but according to your liking.

The behavior of decorative rats: how does it differ between boys and girls?

Decorative rats
Babies of decorative rats show almost no gender differences in behavior. They appear as the animal matures. How is it different for boys and girls?

The greatest inconvenience can be caused by teenage males ( 6-8 months ):

Due to age-related changes, they become aggressive, and not only towards their relatives, but also towards humans. Although this is a temporary condition, it should not be forgotten, especially if there are children at home.
Adult male rats are usually calm, phlegmatic and affectionate.
They love to sit on their owner and enjoy being scratched.
To keep them, a spacious cage with room for houses and hammocks is desirable, as these animals love to swing.

Rats are social animals, so it is recommended to keep them in same-sex pairs. However, a fight for leadership may flare up between a pair of males. To avoid competition between animals, it is necessary to take rat pups of the same age and litter. However, male rats easily tolerate loneliness if the owner pays them enough attention.

Important: Due to their calmness and low mobility, male rats are prone to obesity, so try not to overfeed the animal.

Female rats:

Active, mobile and curious.
They have no hierarchy, and the girl friends form a conflict-free couple.
They love to play with each other and with various objects.
You can put toys in their cage and provide them with holes and tunnels.
Females are also more clean and tidy, and when properly kept, they have virtually no odor.
The activity of female rats requires more attention to them - curious animals will try everything, and when walking they can run away.

Important: Female rats are prone to mammary tumors. This problem can be solved in advance by sterilizing the animal. If you are keeping a rat for breeding, monitor its health and promptly contact a veterinarian.

What to look for when choosing a pet

Experienced breeders do not recommend buying the first rat you see. It is better to first look at several options and evaluate the condition of each potential pet. Of course, without veterinary education it will not be possible to identify a disease in an animal. But it is still worth paying attention to certain external signs:

Conditions of detention . The well-being of a decorative rat largely depends on proper care. If there are too many animals in one cage that are literally sitting on each other's heads, it is better to go shopping elsewhere. This advice is also acceptable if the animal cage has an unbearable stench.
State of the animal . A healthy rat should be moderately well-fed. Soft shiny fur and the absence of wounds, abrasions and other damage to the skin are also welcome.
Condition of teeth . The condition of the oral cavity is one of the main indicators of a rat’s health. First of all, you should pay attention to the incisors. They should not be too long (within 1 cm), and the enamel should not be white. Normally, rat teeth are yellow. An unpleasant odor coming from the animal’s mouth should also alert you.
Behavior . If the rat is lethargic, constantly sits in one place, and looks at one point, there is clearly something wrong with it. Of course, it is possible that the animal simply has a phlegmatic character, but it is better to be safe.
Pedigree . If the rat is a future participant in various competitions, it is better to get to know its parents and other relatives. Any self-respecting breeder will not refuse this request.

It is also necessary to ask the seller for the relevant documents. A purchase and sale agreement with specified clauses regarding the condition of the animal will serve as a good safety net. Equally important are a health certificate and a vaccination certificate. You can only obtain a passport and pedigree from a professional breeder.

How to determine the sex of a baby rat?

Determining the sex of a baby rat
Males and female domestic rats are distinguished, like all animals, by gender. How to determine the sex of a baby rat?

To do this, you need to hold the rat in your palm with its tail down, carefully holding its head. You can carefully turn the animal onto its back.
Signs of a male are testicles under the tail, absence of nipples and a significant ( about 6 mm ) distance from the anus to the urethra .
Females , accordingly, have a double row of mammary glands on the abdomen, no testicles, and the distance from the urethra to the anus is smaller - about 3 mm .

Important : Do not hold a rat by the tail under any circumstances - this is a lot of stress for the animal. Carry out the inspection carefully and carefully.

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Pets always bring joy to the home. It is human nature to show care and attention to four-legged friends. Children develop kindness, responsibility, discipline, they learn to care for them, and in return they receive a wonderful friend. Also in adults, the appearance of an animal is always accompanied by positive emotions.

In this article you will learn what criteria to use to choose a pet rat, what are its features, and are there any disadvantages. Get to know the habits of the rodent and its character. Get useful tips on care and maintenance.

Rats are by nature very hardy and intelligent animals. Their intelligence is superior to dogs and cats. They are easy to train and quickly get used to their owner. The domestic rat is easy to care for; even a small child can handle it.

Nicknames for the Savvy

Emphasize the natural intelligence and intelligence of the pupil with the help of an appropriate nickname. For example, you can name your pet after a famous woman who was involved in science, or use any “smart” word. Here are some ideas for inspiration:

Agnodic;
Agameda;
Aglaonika;
Ada;
Balbina;
Billimoria;
Wanda;
Wise;
Guarna;
Jacqueline;
Josephine;
Kalenda;
Konoshenets;
Marie;
Nettie;
Rina;
Since March;
Sapienza;
Sajiya;
Susanna;
Tekla;
Themistocleia;
Weasley;
Francoise;
Eva;
Ethel.

"The Learned Lady" by Guarna

Choosing a name for Dumbo the rat?

The owners are trying to give the young, smart baby Dumbo a deep and meaningful nickname in the hope that the animal's name can influence the character and intelligence of the funny animal. Sometimes it can be difficult to immediately name a pet with a suitable name that emphasizes its individuality and expresses the love of its owner.

It is advisable to take a few days to take a closer look at the habits and character traits of the new family member; most likely, he himself will tell the owner what to call him. The furry baby's nickname can be tied to the color of the rodent's coat and funny ears, human associations from the pet's appearance and funny faces, favorite book and cartoon characters or pop stars. The rodent's nickname should be simple and easy to pronounce in a diminutive form. It is believed that females respond better to nicknames that begin with the letters K, M and D. Males are more fond of names with the letters S, K, M and D, long-eared pets are more willing to get used to nicknames with the letters T, N, L, M, K , S, Sh and R.

The name for a Dumbo rat girl can be: Knopa, Scully, Masya, Dana, Molly, Ksyusha, Marta, Alice, Dasha, Klava, Matilda, Gina, Darcy, Alpha, Kayla, Linda.

The name for a dumbo boy rat can be: Kuzya, Tyson, Tim, Rocky, Simson, Garik, Steve, Venya, Bucks, Rocky, Dick.

It doesn’t matter what the owner calls the smart-eared baby. In any case, the baby rat Dumbo will sincerely adore and faithfully wait for his beloved owner, giving him his incredible tenderness and selfless love.

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Preparing to buy a rodent

Before you go to a pet store or nursery for a decorative rat, you will need to acquire the necessary equipment. To make your fluffy feel at home in a new place, you need to buy in advance:

Also, before purchasing a rat, you will need to purchase a special carrier. There are many compact rodent models available on the market now. The main condition when choosing is that the carrier must be made of opaque material and have good ventilation.

Aristocratic nicknames

Add nobility and sparkle to your tailed baby by naming her after a queen, princess, famous aristocrat or even a goddess. For example, like this:

Antoinette;
Aphrodite;
Aurora;
Angeron;
Artemis;
Augusta;
Aurora;
Bellona;
Beatrice;
Victoria;
Virginia;
Venus;
Henrietta;
Gladys;
Gaia;
Georgiana;
Diana;
Demeter;
Justine;
Isabel;
Caroline;
Clotilde;
Cardea;
Caitlin;
Clementia;
Concordia;
Leticia;
Minerva;
Nika;
Margarita;
Melpomene;
Odile;
Ophelia;
Patricia;
Providence;
Pandora;
Rebecca;
Stephanie;
Sofia;
Frederica;
Felice;
Christiea;
Circe;
Charlotte;
Elizabeth;
Eugenia;
Juno.

We recommend watching: 335+ beautiful names for hens and chicks

"Regal" Isabella

Who is better: females or males?

If you do not have free time, but like to observe the habits of animals, admiring their funny games, then a couple of rat girls is the best option for you. They are easier to care for and will find something to do in your absence.

Article on the topic: How much does a domestic decorative rat cost in a pet store, nursery and on the market?

Pros of keeping a female rat:

Disadvantages of keeping a female:

When breeding two males, a struggle for dominance may arise. Animals can harm each other, so they will need to be separated into different cages from time to time.

For anyone looking for a friend, a companion for watching movies, playing games and going for walks together, a rat boy is more suitable. Despite the need for more careful care, he will become your devoted companion who will not let you get bored.

Pros of keeping a male:

Disadvantages of keeping a male:

Animal care

Domestic rats are easy to care for. All they need for a comfortable life is a spacious cage, water and simple food.

spacious, full-fledged “housing”, with various exercise equipment, stairs and entertainment;
the minimum distance between the bars for children is no more than 1 cm, for adults no more than 2.5 cm;
presence of a plastic pallet;
containers for water and food;
fillers: paper, wood, vegetable or inorganic;
the presence of a small “house”, a secluded place where you can rest or hide;

The cage should be cleaned as needed, but at least once a week; with this care there will be no smell in the room. This is enough, because rats are very clean animals.