rabbit

Just curious, I heard that mating rats can be quite violent to each
other, I know ferrets are, but are rats?

joanne

You heard wrong. Rats are very sweet by nature. There is such a thing as
aggressive behavior in rats but it's not the norm.

--
Joanne
Owned by 17 rats.

rabbit

Hi Joanne, wow, 17! I have 2 sweet girls. Not planning on babies, I
had just heard someone say they were rough, didn't believe it, but just
wondered. So many people don't know how sweet ratties are. I had 3
ferrets, all nuetered boys, and they were a riot! Such bundles of
energy! One of my ratties is a big hoarder. I have found piles of
treats and toys in my bed after play time. She is quite a character,
and her sis is very shy.

joanne

One of these days, I'm going to get me a ferret too.
Your girls sound like darlings!!

--
Joanne
Owned by 17 rats.

rabbit

Thank you Joanne, How about your ratties? What kinds do you have? What
is your favorite type ratty? The ferrets would probably be good with
the rats if they are very young when you get them, but I'd worry a
little they might think of them as prey. We got a kitten after we had
the 2 ferrets, and she learned to jump up on a chair real fast, but
soon the cats pretty much thought of the ferrets as pains in the butt!
We had a dog or 2, at least 4 cats and 3 ferrets, just only had one the
first time. When he died we got 2 more, pet sibs are so cute together.
My X has or cat brothers. Rabbit

joanne

If I get a ferret or two, it will be when I have less rats. lol
I have been reading on ferrets and I would want to have lots of time to
devote myself to them. And with 17 rats at the moment.. I just can't do
that.
I've got all kinds of rats. lol
I have 5 spayed females, 2 neutered boys, and 10 unaltered boys. 2 of
them are just babies, 4 weeks old.
I've got dumbos, standard ear, rex, standard fur, blazes, solids,
blacks, agoutis, fawns, beiges, siamese, himi, barebacks, hoodies.
You can see them in my webshots photos:
http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70
Since having rats, I have bought them from pet stores, I have bred a
couple of litters but now, I've been taking in a lot of rescues (from
shelters or re-homed) and I must say, it's very rewarding!! In the
future, that's all I'll be doing, rescuing.
--
Joanne
Owned by 17 rats.

msjdoolittle

Rats and ferrets do NOT mix. Ferrets were first domesticated by Romans to
kill rats and mice that got into homes. Even if brought up together, the
instinct for a ferret to kill and eat rats (and other small creatures) could
potentially be bad news for your ratties. Granted I have rats and ferrets,
and nothing has happened YET. But, I do trust the ferrets to be out at the
same time as the rats.

Please do not subject your ratties to the terror and potential hazard of
ferrets during out time!

Julia
The Mischief Makers (we'll bite those weasely faces if they aren't careful)
SallyMae (but I only want to play with them) and Riley (awww mom!)

joanne

I think there's a typo here right?

Julia does know her ferrets and rats and I would head her warnings,
that's for sure!

--
Joanne
Owned by 17 rats.

rabbit

those ratties are sooo cute! Mine are rather picky eaters, do yours
have some real fav foods?

msjdoolittle

oooops... yes a BIG typo! I do NOT trust the ferrets to be out at the
sametime as the ratties.

Thanks Joanne, that could have been more than a typo!

Julia
The Mischief Makers and
Riley & SallyMae