{"id":4063,"date":"2025-04-28T10:01:46","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T15:01:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/?p=4063"},"modified":"2025-04-28T15:36:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T20:36:49","slug":"what-to-know-about-rats-as-pets-for-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/what-to-know-about-rats-as-pets-for-children\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Know About Rats As Pets For Children"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"boy
Rats can be great pets for children if some requirements are met. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re considering getting rats for your child, I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here! Not only have I spent decades caring for these animals, but I also raised my own son around them. I even spent several years taking my rats to a summer camp class where kids got the opportunity to meet a different animal each day. I was known as the \u201cRat Lady\u201d for \u201cRat Day.\u201d By the end of class, every single one of the children left with a new appreciation for rats.<\/p>\n

Additionally, I helped regularly with table events for Any Rat Rescue<\/a>, where we got to educate both adults and children about the pet rats that needed homes.<\/p>\n

Know What To Expect<\/h3>\n
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Something else to consider is how to handle it when rats pass away. Allowing your child to say goodbye to a dear rat can be heartbreaking, but it can also help teach them healthy coping mechanisms. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over the years I\u2019ve been asked countless times whether rats make good pets for children, and my answer is always a resounding YES! Their unique personalities, their sweetness, their playful nature, and their ability to form strong bonds with humans makes them a fantastic pet for children. Although, my response also comes with caveats.<\/p>\n

Research rat care and what you need to provide.<\/strong> Anytime you bring an animal into your home it\u2019s important that you do so by choosing the right one for your family and lifestyle, while also providing them with the best care. Luckily for you, I\u2019ve written an article about the pros and cons of having rats<\/a> to help with this decision.<\/p>\n

Understand that rats are a commitment.<\/strong> I\u2019ve also noticed that a lot of parents assume that all pocket pets are extremely easy to care for, are cheap, and require little commitment. Some people are shocked to learn that rats need vets<\/a> just like dogs and cats do. I\u2019ve had kids frantically email or message me asking for help when their parents refused to take their sick rats to the vet, which always broke my heart.<\/p>\n

Accept that rats are not throwaway pets.<\/strong> Maybe it\u2019s their small size or the fact that pet stores often have an abundance of rodents, even selling them as food, that gives off this impression. Whatever it is, I feel it\u2019s my duty to change this myth. Not just for the parents\u2019 or kids\u2019 sake, but for any of the rats they bring into their homes. So, I beg any moms or dads reading this not to treat these animals as throwaway pets!<\/p>\n

Reflect on you and your child\u2019s ability to care for rats.<\/strong> Due to my experiences, I have some questions I regularly ask parents: How old is your child? What is their maturity level? Is your kid going to be the only caregiver, or do you plan on taking an active role, too? Are you willing to have two or more rats, plus buy all the needed supplies? How much time can be dedicated to the rats every day? Are you willing to spend money on vet care?<\/p>\n

Age Guide For Rat Interactions<\/h3>\n
\"toddler
Delphiniums Blue, or Finiums, as my toddler son called him, would follow Rory everywhere he went. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your child\u2019s ability to care for their rats is contingent on several factors. Age and maturity level being the main ones. The following age guidelines can help.<\/p>\n

Babies and toddlers should be monitored and coached at all times when touching or holding rats.<\/p>\n

Children younger than 8 can be given simple tasks to help, but parents should be the main caregivers.<\/p>\n

Kids age 8 to 12 can be expected to take on shared responsibilities, while also being the ones who spend the most time with their rats. A parent should still continue checking in daily though, with reminders about feeding, making sure water bottles are filled, cages are getting cleaned, and that the rats are getting enough daily attention. Parents should also spend time getting to know the rats, that way they can help spot any changes in their health.<\/p>\n

Even though my son Rory was raised with rats since birth, it wasn\u2019t until he was 8 that I felt he was ready for his own. Even then, I oversaw all their care.<\/p>\n

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Holding a rat properly means supporting both the upper body and lower body. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kids older than 12 can be the main caregiver of their rats. Although, I still advise parents to check in every now and then, especially if the child is new to rats. There\u2019s a lot to learn in the beginning and they can\u2019t be expected to figure it out all on their own<\/p>\n

Please keep in mind that every child matures at their own pace. Some may not be as adept with specific responsibilities of rat care that other kids are. They may need extra time before they are ready. That will be up to the parent to decide.<\/p>\n

\"girl
When being passed a rat to hold, it’s OK to briefly let the bottom of the rat dangle. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another consideration is the child or children in question. Some are too aggressive around animals, and rats are small and delicate. Maybe skip rats as a pet if this is your child.<\/p>\n

Not all children innately take to the responsibility of pet ownership either. There\u2019s nothing wrong with a child who doesn\u2019t, it just means a parent or guardian needs to be even more involved than expected. Some kids are forgetful and may require daily reminders. Additionally, the older a child gets, the busier their social life becomes. Check in and see if they are still providing adequate care for their rats, don\u2019t just assume they are.<\/p>\n

Even if your kid is all in, it\u2019s important that you\u2019re still hands-on and provide guidance when needed. They will not automatically know how to care for their rats, and they might not take the time needed to learn about them.<\/p>\n

My Personal Experience<\/h3>\n
\"boy
My parents weren’t involved with the care of my childhood pets, but I actively supervised my son, teaching him things like going barefoot when the rats enjoyed free-roam time to minimize any injury should a rat tail accidentally be stepped on. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My first dabble into the world of rodents started at the age of 8 with a gerbil named Whiskers. That led to more gerbils, then a hamster, several mice, a guinea pig, and finally rats. I think I was just born to be a rodent lover.<\/p>\n

No shade to my mom, it was the \u201980s after all, but the only help I got was with the money to buy my pocket pets and their supplies. She also gets credit for paying for the vet during my high school years when my guinea pig got sick. Beyond that, I was on my own.<\/p>\n

Looking back, I can confidently say that I should have been supervised at least into my preteen years. In the beginning I would get lazy about cage cleaning and didn\u2019t fully understand the importance of removing the litter and scrubbing the cage. Sometimes I just piled clean litter onto the dirty stuff instead of removing the dirty litter. Then there was the whole gerbil breeding saga I went through when the friend I got for Whiskers was misgendered at the pet store.<\/p>\n

I tried my best with all my rodents, but the lack of guidance and the terrible educational materials that were available at the time made it challenging. It\u2019s honestly why I\u2019ve spent all my adult years working to educate rat owners.<\/p>\n

Teaching A Child How To Handle Rats<\/h3>\n
\"boy
A bonding pouch, towel, or other soft object is a must-have tool when teaching people how to hold rats. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When showing a child, or an adult for that matter, how to hold rats for the first time, start with just one rat to keep the process simple.<\/p>\n

If your child is still very young, do not let them pick up the rat themselves. Instead, bring the rat to them and place them in their lap inside something soft like scraps of fleece, a rat hammock, a bonding pouch, or a small towel or blanket. This protects the child from accidentally getting scratched. Plus, rats always feel safer when covered up. You should also repeatedly say something like \u201cGentle\u201d or \u201cSoft hands\u201d as you show them how to gently pet the rat\u2019s back. Quickly redirect them anytime they try to grab at fur or pinch the skin and repeat, \u201cGentle\u201d to them. And never leave a small child unattended with a rat!<\/p>\n

When teaching older kids to pick up and hold rats, stress the importance of supporting the rat\u2019s entire body, including their hindquarters. This can be done by scooping the rat up with a cupped hand under their belly and then bringing them in toward your chest or setting them in your lap. A second hand can be used on the side of the body if the hands are tiny, or the rat is large. Keeping the rat against your body provides continual support. It should also be emphasized that rats should never ever<\/em> be picked up or held by their tail<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Dealing With And Heading Off Fear<\/h3>\n
\"collage
Taking time and having the right supplies on hand when children first meet pet rats helps make it a positive, fun experience, as it was here at the summer camp. Brandi Saxton<\/a> of It’s A Rat’s World<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If your child is scared or especially young, there are two very specific things to be aware of: sharp nails<\/a> and toilet issues<\/a>. They are the quickest way to turn a child off of rats.<\/p>\n

During a first introduction the rat is likely to be nervous, too, which means fear poops<\/a>. Male rats are also particularly prone to urine marking<\/a>, but some females do it as well. After a while, this does lessen and it\u2019s not something that happens every time a rat is held, especially if you pay attention to their cues<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As for their nails, I won\u2019t lie, they can hurt! They are especially noticeable if the rat is sitting on your shoulders or bare legs, digging in as the rat tries to keep their balance.<\/p>\n

This is why I always<\/em> put rats in a bonding pouch, hammock, or fleece, before handing them over to a child or adult to hold for the first time.<\/p>\n

Being armed with a bag of these items and a container of antibacterial wipes (baby wipes can work, too) is how I won over apprehensive kids at the summer camp and families at the table events. Not only did having something for my rats to sit\/hide in provide a barrier from their nails and urine, but it also provided the rats extra support. And I mean both mental and physical support. A rat feels safer when they aren\u2019t exposed. And when they feel safer, they are calmer and much less squirmy. You\u2019re definitely more likely to get scratched when a rat is squirming in your bare hands or arms. This, in turn, can cause the rat to be dropped and injured.<\/p>\n

If it was a teen or adult, I felt comfortable enough letting them hold my rats while standing. Anyone younger I started off by having them sit and placing the rat-filled hammock or pouch in their laps. Once I could determine how comfortable they were, then I might let them stand or hold the rat without any fabric.<\/p>\n

Giving rats kisses in front of kids and telling them funny stories about rats is also very helpful with scared youngsters. Their fear usually stems from uncertainty, rather than a negative experience. Once they get a chance to witness the sweetness of rats and touch them in a safe way, they usually let their guards down.<\/p>\n

At the summer camp, there were always one or two kids who would tell me right away that they were absolutely not going to hold one of the rats. But after watching the other kids love on them, and hearing them giggle, and \u201cawe\u201d over my pets, they too were holding a rat by the end of the class.<\/p>\n

So, are rats in your child\u2019s future? Check out my article on choosing a rat<\/a> if they are!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whether or not to adopt rats for your children depends on several factors, including the child’s maturity and your ability to provide for the needs of the rats.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":4069,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4063","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rat","category-rat-fun"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4063","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4063"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4063\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4088,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4063\/revisions\/4088"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4063"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4063"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/mammals\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4063"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}