The 10 reasons why I'm stopping owning Rats (for now) 

The people who are making comments about you 'not caring enough,' have clearly had their audio muted while watching your videos! It's so evident how much you love these silly creatures and you inspired so many of us to fall in love as well. Wishing you all the best and fully supportive of this decision! It isn't fair to you OR the rats to just 'persevere' through a potentially life-threatening allergy.

There's nothing wrong with stopping owning rats. You're allergic to them and you have plenty of other pets.

I love rats. Had a total of four boys of my own and they were amazing, but I realized they just weren't the pet for me. I now own mice and I'm absolutely obsessed! I think being honest with ourselves is ultimately the kindest thing we can do, not only for our own well being, but also for the animals.💖

Yeah, I get ya. One of my rats is having a brain tumor problems, and it takes a toll on me both financially and emotionally. Still, I do intend to keep having rats, I feel like for me the occasional stress is mitigated by how lovely the little bastards are. They are an anchor that keeps me in good mood after a hard day.

I used to keep rats 25 years ago & had dogs & horses at the same time. All my horses have now gone & I have two dogs remaining & these will be my last. This is because I don't want any animal to outlive me lol as I am now 67 years old. This is the reason I have got three baby girl rats again & I am super excited with them. I have lost 4 horses 9 nine dogs & numerous rats over the years & I now accept it as part of the circle of life. So I can accept the short lifespan knowing that they will have the best life while they are with me. I think the older you get the more you accept these things & yes time does go fast so enjoy every minute.

Just one of these reasons would have been enough. You're making the best decision for you and your rattos. If and when the time comes for me, I hope I can be as brave as you are. ❤

You shouldn't have to justify yourself to anyone. I just want to thank you for the videos on rat care. They have helped us so much from the beginning of our rat journey to now. ❤😊

Tbh, I've always liked watching your videos because of you. Your personality, caring nature, friendly demeanour, art style and the any & all animals you feature.

I have stopped for now too. Kept them from around age 10 to age 31. I stopped having females with my last mischief because I was having to put them through operations for mammary tumours. I haven't had any more since my last male passed away. I just have guinea pigs now. Rats are still one of my favourite pets but I have found that they get ill more than guinea pigs and the short life span kills me. I also have chronic pain and POTS so cage cleaning is hard. I think I will have them in the future, but not now. Thanks for your honesty.

As other commentators have eluded to, I hope you were able to make this video on your own terms, not forced to make it in response to frankly, misguided, comments. I'm disabled (Autistic and ADHD, as well as multiple mental health conditions), and a few years ago I had to make the heartbreaking decision to rehome my dog. I raised him from a pup, but with my health worsening, I couldn't manage. Some people made some nasty comments, which filled me with guilt. I gave my best to my doggo and I found him a wonderful, incredible home with beautiful owners which post weekly updates and pictures. That doggo has never been happier! I now own rats, because they are more suited to my health and energy levels. I hate it when people insinuate a lack of care and perseverance when it comes to rehoming a pet - clearly these individuals have no idea what it is like to live with chronic conditions and disabilities! Edit: Totally understand the experience of special interests too! ♥️

I completely relate. Once I started working fulltime, I had little energy by the end of the day and it was getting very difficult to keep up with my rats care. And once my original three rats passed, I felt distant from the new pack, even though I loved them abundantly. My heart never really healed from the og 3.

even for someone who doesnt own rats (yet) this video is so important because a lot of these things are things to consider before getting them too. ive been watching your videos since 2018 when i started to beome interested in rats. i still dont have any because i am not yet in a situation where it would be fair on them (working a lot and in different shifts so i wouldnt be able to give them any consisteny). i'm still exited to get them at one point in my life but i love your honesty always

You're so thoughtful, Emi. I know you've done everything in your power to not make this choice. Don't worry about the trolls. They just have nothing better to do. I support you 100% and i look forward to anything you want to post. ❤

I'm going through this stage ATM... I can't handle the short lifespan. The first years go way too quickly, then when they get old it's sad to see them not as zoomy and sleeping more 😢

I am proud of you for making this decision as I know all too well how hard it is. I miss my rats, I miss having rats, but they repeatedly tore my heart out and I couldn't do it anymore. I understand the special interest thing 100%

I hope you’re okay Emi, you’re the reason why I started owning rats in 2019 and ive loved watching your videos on them, thank you for everything you’ve taught me about them and there’s hundreds of rats who are thanking you for teaching their owners proper rat care❤️I’m also very excited to learn more about chinchillas and all of the other pets❤️

So many brilliant rattie people in these comments understand! You excellent 'responsible rat care' CATALOGUE of videos will still inform, educate, amuse and help people understand ratties better! ❤🐀❤

I can’t believe people are saying that you don’t care enough about them, you have made it pretty clear that you have lived them for so long now and I do think that even though I love seeing your boys, you have to do what’s best for them and you which means to not own them anymore. But it is also no one else’s decision but yours. Btw I love your channel and all of your animals so much, you are so awesome and inspiring xx

Idk why this video made me tear up, in a silly way really. 😅 Your videos were the reason I got rats, so thank you for putting out all those amazing videos about rat care and just rats being rats, because I fell in love with them, especially Crumble and Humbug (I made a order from your store like a month ago or so and bought polaroid pictures of Crumble and Humbug in that order, maybe you remember it, came to a little country in Europe ☺). It's gonna feel different with no rats, but different doesn’t mean bad. And I'm happy that you get to live your chinchilla mum dream now! ❤ Do you think you'll make one last rat care video? Similar to one you did in 2018(was it?)? Edit to add that the toys I ordered from your store were very loved by my 8 rat boys! ☺

I relate to the special interest thing, rats are definitely my special interest currently and have been for the last 2 years! Your channel is actually what sparked it months before I got my first rats :]

My wife and I have 26 rats, 9 boys and 17 girls across 3 massive cages. One cage is known as the rescue girls, as it has many rehomes or rescues. Every single one is individual and special. We have lost many and it never gets easier or hurts less. We are moving more over to males than girls now, for the simple reason of costs. I estimate we spend in the region of £400 per month on vets' bills with mammary tumour removal operations and medications. We often speak to new potential rat owners, and we always explain their fantastic personalities, their emotional intelligence, and affection, in equal measure we will also highlight their pitfalls, all the things you have mentioned in this video, costs, lifespan, health, etc... People have this misconception that because they are cheap to buy they are also cheap to own. They fail to realise the cage setup can easily cost upwards of £300. We wouldn't be without ours, although we have questioned our sanity from time to time. Great video, and hopefully, you might return to rat parenthood one day.

We’ve lost 3/4 of our rats this year. They were between 2.5-3 years old and we had to put all 3 of them to sleep over the span of 4 months. We are left with one lone rat who is 3 and is not very friendly so we made the decision not to rehome. I always saw on the rat facebook groups that people say they can’t bear getting any more rats after theirs passed away because it hurts too much, and I never understood until we went through it. The way our first died was so traumatic, a tumour spread to her lung and exploded and it was like something out of a horror film. We rushed her to the vets but we knew what the outcome was going to be. Things haven’t felt the same since they all passed away. We really really miss them so much. If they lived longer lives and were less prone to tumours we would have probably adopted more. It really is the worst feeling losing them, and 3 years just is not long enough. We adopted 2 rabbits a couple of months ago and they have helped us work through things. They are almost one, so hopefully we will have another 10 years together. Everything you said is so relatable in this video. Once you have a connection with that one rat it’s hard to replicate with any other, and you do compare your other rats to your heart rat, as harsh as it sounds. Most rat owners know the feeling, just don’t want to admit it openly, but it’s so valid❤

I totally sympathise with the allergies. I have severe hayfever and it can be debilitating. I’ve recently become allergic to my daughters guinea pigs and once they pass on we won’t be getting anymore. We have two parrotlets and honestly they are a joy and I’m totally converted to the absolute bond you can have with them and no allergies, easy to clean, no smell. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to owning mammals again (except my 2 cats).

really feeling this rn, I just feel like I've got to a point where my heart isn't in it and keeping an animal despite that just isn't fair. just wish you weren't left in such a tricky situation of rehoming/giving back the rats you're bonded to

My rat Bean got really sick yesterday, he is only a little over a year old and it made me realize that I thought I had more time with him. Cherish your little bundles of joy guys ♥️

I am with you 100 percent! I have been following you and have learned so much. I really appreciate all you have shared. Thank you!!!!!!

Even though I don’t own rats I feel you:( (I watch a lot of ur rat vids)

I understand! I'll will definitely keep watching your videos. I have very fragile health and I'm always tired so I understand you. People don't understand, so it makes me feel better to know that you do.😊❤

i never felt the same after my heart rat Penny passed. my husband and I have just lost our last rat, having decided to not have them anymore, all for similar reasons 😢 plus the space/wanting to start a family

I can’t thank you enough for all the amazing rat info over the years ❤ you’re the reason my rats had a great life from the beginning, watching your videos before getting them meant I skipped a lot of rookie mistakes. I totally understand all your reasons, the short life span is so heartbreaking and I’m considering stopping soon. It’s such a tricky decision but sometimes the right one :)

Thanks for making this video. I have 4 rats, they are my first rats ever and hopefully I won't have to deal with losses yet. My oldest are 1 year and 2 months. I didn't enjoy doing introductions, I started with 2 brothers and I introduced 2 more but it was stressful, they are all bonded now but it was tricky! Also I have 2 rats neutered due to hormonal aggression too

❤❤ hugs to you ❤❤ Your health is so important and I am excited to see what videos you have in store for us ❤

I feel you so so so much. After my dear Oskar died last August in a pretty ugly way, I thought I could numb my pain by getting more rats (I still had 3.) It was a mistake. My new boys are lovely, but I find myself only doing the bare minimum.. I feel horrible. I mean, they have a big play room to themselves, toys, fresh food etc.. but I can't really get myself to spend time with them like I did with my old boys. It's truly heartbreaking..

i completely hear you and support your decision, you're not alone 💜i stopped having rats after my two heart rats passed away years ago, after i lost them i felt i didn't have the passion to get more and give them the love and care they deserve

Thank you so much for this very relatable video! Your points have given me confidence that im making the right choice, my last rats passed over a year ago and i still really miss them, and get emotional from time to time, ive owned rats over the last 12 years for pretty much half my life, they were my first pets. Now have had a dog for 2 years and want to focus on him even tho the urge to have rats is incredibly strong, extremely hard to hold back. My family dont feel as strongly as i do about rats. They were my world.

Thank you for this! It's very helpful for anyone getting a rat for themselves or not 🙂

Also; I really appreciate the honesty of this video! This needs to be spoken about more 💯

Thank you for this video. I felt like this with My rats as well I had 10 rats around 2 years ago and im.currently at 4 I'm too busy sometimes and I lost my heart rat sometime during this and it breaks my heart that I wasn't with him enough and financially I'm struggling to take care of even myself.

The pain of losing. Totally relate. Best wishes Emi x

I am going through literally every single point you brought up in this video and have come to the same conclusion as you. This really did make me feel less alone, so thank you for your vulnerability. Illness is so lonely, and so is processing grief, and so are feelings of frustration with animals that you love. I am already so sad thinking about not having my girls in the apartment anymore, but I simply can't do it now. I appreciate you so much. 💙 ETA: except I didn't get a dog haha, but bless your sweet dog

I had similar reasons for stopping owning guinea pigs, allergic, the loss, they're quite sickly animals, and out of all the animals I've ever owned I've never been to the vets so much until I got guinea pigs. You could always predict the Metacam and Baytril combo was going to be prescribed, then they'd realise the pig had a tumour and that was that. Too heart breaking.

An excellent and very honest video of your own experience of pet ownership; as ANIMALS ARE LIVING BEINGS - Not toys! Thank-you.

You're one of the first few people that inspired me to actually do proper research on rats, I had rats growing up amongst many other small animals, but they were never in the right setup because I didn't know any better. I stumbled across your channel, and it inspired me to keep rats again but in the right setup and the right diet. I've kept rats the last few years properly and even learned to make my own rat mix which my rats love, but I suffer some of the same issues you do so I understand how hard it is to make that decision. the rats I have left will be my last for a while but still being cared for, even I feel odd about not having them anymore one day.

Awwww, my heart broke for you watching this. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone. I am excited for whatever content you make going forward ♥️

I am sorry to hear this as I loved watching your ratty videos - for me personally they were the only reason I subscribed as I love Rats, so it's sad for me as I will miss watching your channel. However it's your choice at the end of the day & you do not have to justify your decision to anyone. Ignore anyone giving you a hard time - you do what is best for you & for your pets.

Reason 4 hits on another level 💔 I understand that way too well right now...

I support you. You’re so caring and wonderful and all your reasons are so valid. This is definitely my last set of rats to own as well. I love them so much but feel so overwhelmed with owning a dog, mice, a hamster and have 4 ratty girls. It’s a lot, lol. So I completely understand you.

My last c 2 rats both developed large tumors and passed away i just couldn't do it anymore because ive become to the point i couldn't see as well i could before..so i laid rest my last 2 years ago, her name was/ is lightening..😢

Thank you for this, it's clear how much you love them and want the best for them. This can't be easy but sounds like the right decision for you and your health, which comes first. Rats are incredible pets but only those who have cared for them a long time know these challenges and the losses all too well. Good luck Emi, keep being you!

I recognise myself so much in you. In my house we are down to 3 rats. Especially in the thing you said about not grieving them because you have to get new ones all the time

even if not all of these reasons were valid (which they DEFINITELY all are), simply having an allergy to an animal is enough of a reason not to keep them anymore imo. I used to keep ferrets, and I LOVED them, and I'd love to keep them again-- but I'm so allergic that I break out in hives upon handling them, and even sharing space with them inhibits my breathing. it's quite literally impossible to give an animal all the care it needs when you're too allergic to even be near them for more than a few moments! stepping back from rat ownership is one of the best choices you can possibly make, both for your own health and for the rats, and I'm sorry that so many others are having a hard time realizing that.

I absolutely empathize with your issue with rat ownership! I am also in my exit plan too, I have had couples and throuples, and quads of rats for about 10 years, I really really love them but I cannot continue. Everything you said is soso so valid!!! The bond breaking, the (only logical TBH) expectation that your next rat will be similar to your last one only to find out how lucky you had been, then feeling guilty about it ect ect. is so real. You have to take care of whats real, not some hypothetical female rat mischief that you "should have" you need to have whats healthiest, and the empirical best health choice comes down to limiting rat interaction and emotional "reliance" (not how i phrase it but I think it works)

I have taken in rats for almost 30 years. I took a year off once because of the tumors. We have one old boy left and plan on taking a break. Its hard with their short lives and being allergic which I know all too well. Allergy shots really helped me though.

Totally understand why you’re taking a Rat break, but I’m really bummed as I just got my first rat family last week and have been eating up your videos like crazy! Good luck!

Number 3 and 4, for me too. Yesterday I had to let another one go. My heart can't take it anymore, I reached my heartbreak limit. And strangly, I have a hard time bonding with new rats, I'm not expecting new rats to be the same loveable babies are my old rats, but I miss the oldies. Maybe it's like you said, and I'm just shielding myself from more heartbreak too.

This is my 3rd time keeping rats, I'm 60 years old. I can fully understand your emotions. My adorable Zoomie goes camping with me! He turned a year in march, already has some grey hairs. (black with white feet, white blaze belly) Slowing down, cuddles under my hand (no choices there its happening!) He is my constant companion. His cage buddy Flash is sweet, but he's not my Zoomie. My 2 priors were Mamma as a teen. Later George when my oldest daughter was old enough to be gentle. I have asthma so rats were always a first choice for me. They are an amazing companion. But the short lifespan sure takes a toll on your heart.

Hi emi! Could you do a video on every rat you’ve ever owned? ❤

I thought I was alone when it came to allergies! I'm not sure when it started happening, but at some point I started breaking out and getting all itchy whenever I would do their weekly cage deep clean. It wasn't my cleaning supplies, but it would happen once I picked up their droppings and scrubbed the corners they loved to pee in the most. I had to start wearing gloves when I cleaned.

You don't understand how much I relate to you right now. Ever since I lost my 2 heart rats it's not felt the same. Then I had 3 pass in a week, then another 3 a month later in 2 weeks. And 3 this past week. I'm now left with just 2 after having 11. The ones I'm left with arjt my "originals" and it just feels so weird. I need to get more because my ones now are a little depressed. But I feel like I haven't grieved enough for my heart one who passed a year ago and my other who passed a few weeks ago. I just want my original baby's back instead of replacing them. But god I love These tiny animals I don't want to stop owning them because they've made such a big impact on my mental heath. I also try ajd find my favourite old rats in my new ones and it feels wrong to do but it makes me feel like i have my baby back. Getting new ones makes it feel like i dont have a bigger connection to them like i did with the other's

I can completely understand. Anyone telling you that your health and safety are not important are odd to say the least. You obviously care very much for all of your pets. I'm having to take a break from having ferrets after 12 years. I developed a skin allergy to them from their waste, I would get terrible, itchy hives especially if I got scratched. My heart ferret passed last year and it's been so hard. I had several who were seniors at the same time and it took it's toll on my finances as well. I've held onto one of their cages and some bedding so that if I'm ready again I have a place for them. But for now I just can't.

You've made the right choice for you, no shame in that! I own guinea pigs and I'm a bit allergic to them, and I'm terrified that I'll develop a more severe allergy

It only took me one reason to give up owning rats. Plain and simple I can't take the heartbreak of the short lifespan. Just became to heartbreaking to loose my pet after such a short time.

I felt that short life span when with owning fish i had one die and that was tough and then i lost a second one and i decided that was enough tears and now im stuck with a Dog thats giving me a run for my money and my heart!

i spent all week watching your videos cause im trying to decide if i want to get rats again (i had them 15 years ago as a teenager) and then I watched this haha. all your points are very valid. i am trying to decided between a rat, ferret or bun and honestly leaning more towards a bunny at the moment... its hard lol you making the decision to stop keeping rats is similar to why i stopped keeping fancy goldfish. i had a very similar story to solid gold aquatics and in the end, the heartbreak of their short lifespan is just too much to bare. i hate that rats dont live long either :(

I totally get you I am currently on my last 4 rats too I won’t getting anymore myself

Don't care that you stop owning rats for now, you're very educational for keeping animals. I wanted to have some small exotic pets like mice or something similar to just observe but then RU-vid showed me your Channel and I saw rats and instantly fell in love with them. All your old videos helped me in the almost 2 years, had to neuter one of my old boys (I started with 3) and got 2 more rescued and they finally come along. Again just thanks to all your educational videos. I see your point with missing your old rats, my first 3 are omega shy, I can handle them, but they don't want to do anything with me. My new boys, they just want to climb on me and play with me and those will hit harder when they pass. I watch any video you upload, even if it's not rat related because I learn a ton for any other pet, even though I know a lot about cats and dogs already, still some new information I didn't know before.

There‘s never anything wrong with wanting to stop owning a pet. Just not wanting them is enough. As you said if you do it ethically and you have plenty of good reasons to give them up. Especially the allergy. So I’m definitely here supporting you and appreciate the way you broke down all your reasoning!

Does anyone have any advice? I got 2 female rats today from a seller and their house really stank, when they were in the carrier in the car I noticed they smelled like the sellers house too. When I got them home today after a couple of hours I noticed that their cage started to smell like pee quite a bit. I think the seller fed them a lot of food scraps so maybe that's why? Is this normal and will it go away, and how often should I be cleaning their cage - I haven't gotten a litter box yet either but plan to get one.

it was so hard for me to stop owning rats too. i rehomed my last 2 boys to someone who had 8 so i know they’re going to have fun and live out the rest of their lives in a great mischief. my reasons were basically the same as all of yours. becoming allergic to an animal that you previously weren’t, is so rough 😢 i miss having my boys around but i’m glad not to suffer in my own house. i got rats because i wanted to enjoy them but towards the end it was just feeling like a chore😔

this is such a selfless decision that is so full of love and care i cannot believe the things people have said . the cruel comments are all from people who have never been able to love an animal as much as this . im so glad you posted this video i have been struggling so much with the guilt of being unsure of whether or not to keep owning rats and this video is very comforting . im so glad you are doing whats right for you and your health , im so very sorry people are unkind

I do understand and respect your reasoning and as a hobbyist I have had to downgrade on the keeping of certain pets due to my own health, stress etc! I loved my rats also but I now no longer own them , I've also moved towards keeping animals that live longer.. Pet bereavement really affects my mental health negatively. Did you rehome your rats or did they all pass away?

My last rat just passed away and I will be taking a very long(maybe permanent) break from owning rats. Their lifespan and health issues wore me down, so stressful, sad and expensive. Loved them, but I can't do it again. No one should be judging you for not owning a certain animal, I think some rat owners(especially in facebook groups) are a little delusional about how much energy and time it really takes to properly care for them

I totally get it. I love pet rats but they are a lot of work. For me it was the constant cleaning, the hay fever, the allergies but also because of the fact I got more into reptiles and the only place their large cage would make sense to go to be out of the way would be the pet room or “reptile room”. Thats gonna bother the snakes for one but I got SO TIRED of family and neighbors joking about me keeping snake food for my pet snakes. Snakes eat rats, I get that, but the rats were my pets too. I never once thought about feeding even a naturally passed away pet rat to my snakes. It was exhausting more to deal with the “jokes” (that I dont find amusing at all) so I just dont have pet rats anymore.

I would like to say, that you don't have to explain yourself to anyone why you are removing yourself from owning rats, if you don't want to for any reason, that is OKAY ♥ But I also agree with a lot of these points, especially losing one to have to turn around and get another to benefit the group. Yeah, it's great having a cute lil baby but I find myself, like you, trying to find the older rats in the newer ones. You do what's best for you Emi, we will be here to support you every step of the way!

I hope you wanted to make this video and didn’t feel like you needed to for your audience. It’s a good video and can help other people see that it’s okay to stop owning a kind of pet. But I feel like deciding not to have rats any more is obviously completely your own decision and fully impacts your life and only impacts your audience to the degree you choose to share. I’ve watched your videos for years and will continue to with or without rats.

I had lost my heart rat on my birthday this year and it broke me, I would still be owning rats but I have just random breakdown and thinking about it just breaks me but he was the best boy ❤

If you didn’t have an allergy you still have the right to stop owning rats, these people should be ignored they just enjoy making people feel bad, somehow it makes them feel better! Your level of care for your rats has always been excellent you can clearly see how much love and energy into your care! I have a chronic illness and my energy levels are mainly downhill, I have now lost my right leg so I have had to stop keeping Gerbils I couldn’t cope with the cage cleaning so my husband would do it, they were my babies so not being able to play with them outside their cage was heart breaking! I have two chihuahuas a cat and four lovebirds ( two of them were the babies of the original two), I had a discussion with my sons and husbands and we all agreed that I will always own dogs, that is ok so they all help with them! Going forward you should enjoy your other animals without any guilt or upset by the ridiculous people that love to cause upset, I love your channel, I have missed a few videos so I am enjoying catching up with all of them. ❤❤❤

Let’s not forget the fleece destruction is a problem and the washer and dryer gets clogged often I’ve gone through 3 machines in 5 years I have 6 right now but these are my last

Having rats can be a huge challenge and people don't realize that - if you don't have the ability to care for them anymore or it's impacting your health then you shouldn't feel obligated to! I'm glad you're doing what's right for you and your rats. You have plenty of other animals to share and care for :)

I also had to stop owning rats after my mom and boyfriend got allergic reactions. My boyfriend's allergy being so severe he could not be on the same floorplan as them. It is really hard when you just can't have your sweet furry friends anymore. All the love to you and I hope the rats will live well too

I totally understand wanting at least a break from pet rats despite loving them so much. For me my biggest reason was I just can't handle them constantly getting sick and dying! I love them so much but it felt like I hardly had time to recover from one rat's death before another got sick and I had to worry if I'd lose another. I loved them so much each loss was devastating because they were basically my everything. I think instead of pocket puppies I'm gonna try and get an actual dog that can live wayyy longer. Maybe one day I can have rats again when I have a big enough space for multiple pets and am in a better mental headspace that I can better handle it when they pass.

I went from wanting rats because i had them when I was a kid to wanting a snake and being faced with having to feed what I once cuddled to it and it's been pretty hard. Not knowing if I will have the heart to feed the snake when / if I get it is hard. I still want one of course and feeding it rats is just something that will have to be done, but my heart will break a little every time. I hope one day it gets easier.

Yeah I had the same thing with liking anime as well

the same thing happend to me after 10 years of owning rats i suddenly became pretty allergic to them sadly but now i have mice and two budgies

We had 4 female rats and my wife developed had the same allergy you are describing after about a year of us owning the rats. She was quite upset because she couldn't pick one of them up and walk around the house with them on her shoulder (She developed quite the bound with 1 of the girls we had).

as a born animal lover who was cursed to be allergic to most environmental things including animals and has tried rodent pets, i totally understand your decision. when i owned guinea pigs as a teen i was so allergic to their hay that i literally couldnt go in their room for more than a few minutes without my throat closing up. it made owning them a dangerous chore and that's not good for you or the animals!

I completely understand every single one of these reasons. I’ve been owning hamsters for 7+ years, and I will continue owning them,but I really want to try taking care for other animals!

Spaying female rats at a young age should supposedly reduce the chance of female hormone-related tumours by almost 90%, and it would save you costly vet bills when they get older. But yeah, tumours... I lost 3 rats to an ear infection that eventually turned malignant or cancerous in the past 3 years. I think that dumboes are more prone to ear infections because of their shorter ear canals, just like floppy-eared rabbits or dogs. My vets notice that as well in pets with non-standard (upright) ears. Also, rats aren't cheap animals when it comes to vet bills. I already spent almost € 1600 on vet bills for 5 rats (sadly only 3 now, after I had to PTS 2 rats in May (one for old age reasons, one for a bad ear infection that turned malignant)) this year, and it's not even July yet. And there are more vet bills on the horizon for one of my younger (spayed) females that has a mass in her abdomen. It could be an infected uterus (the vet only did an ovariectomy, not an ovariohysterectomy) or something inoperable, which then means it will be better to have her not wake up from the anesthesia during the exploratory operation. I can deal with having to put a rat to sleep, after having had over 40 rats in 22 years, but the whole process of seeing a rat's health decline, or its perspective future drastically shortening in a short amount of time, is a lot to deal with, emotionally. Losing two rats in one month, and maybe losing another one soon, is not something I deal with easily. It's almost making me wary about trying to bond with any new rat, because detaching yourself emotionally when they get ill is so difficult. I do love rats, and I don't mind vet bill costs, but yeah... 6 of my last 8 rats were adopted from a shelter. Some were about a year old, others around 4 months. And some of them weren't socialised very well, or even mistreated. Helping them feel safe and loved again has many rewards. I have considered not getting any new rats lately, but that would mean giving my then remaining rats up for adoption. And I won't do that. So to keep a 'rolling' mischief I will have to keep adopting new friends for my resident rats. And hope that they can bond and live together, despite some of them having serious trust issues. Towards humans and sometimes even towards other rats.

I had a break for 10 years and just about to get more rats so my daughter can learn about empathy more and life/death. Nothing wrong with taking a break hun. My heart rate broke my heart and it took a long time for me to want more. Enjoy your next adventure xxx

I understand totally and I tried doing this also and lasted 3 weeks, I couldn't handle not having the little souls. I have MS and without the help of my husband there are many things I could not put up in their cages. Have you tried females I too get an allergic reaction to the boys urine. But girls do not seem to bother me as much.

Totally understandable, the ratties are going to know if you are miserable being around them , why would anyone want to force that ? I won’t be getting any more mice after my girls pass , it’s just not been the same since my heart mouse died, it’s too short a time to get so bloody attached, also vets have definitely become a problem, many have moved on, they are fantastic pets though if you can handle the short life spans ❤

Is cleaning after rats more demanding than after Guinea pigs or chinchillas? I spot clean my Guinea pigs twice a day and always laundry has to be done

Did you find mice the same as rats ? If you’re allergic to rats are you allergic to mice as well? I was considering to get mice but if allergies the case I won’t bother. But that would suck. Are you allergic to hay when you have chinchillas ?

I adore rats, mice, gerbils & hamsters but their short life spans kill me so I made the choice to own animals with longer life spans. I have guinea pigs and a bunny. It's sad enough when animals with longer life spans die, only having 2 years or so with an animal is a killer. You don't have to explain yourself to anyone! People who don't understand aren't worth bothering about. People who get it will understand that you still love ratties but can't own them anymore. Allergies are very serious! You can't put yourself at risk just for the sake of what some people think. Screw them, you do you! ❤ I have always loved chinchillas so am glad you know own them. I can love vicariously though you cos I mustn't get any other animals atm! (I'd have a houseful if it was realistic!)

You've done a lot with rats in the past and that is why I subscribed. I think you need to take care of your health first. If you don't have health how can you take care of any of your pets? Including the rats. Anyway, I've gotten a lot of helpful info from you in the past so, thank you! Take care of yourself!

Ive had rats for year's, now all of a sudden im allergic to them. It started off with hives on my skin after they crawled on me and ended up with me having 2 cracked ribs because I was just wheezing and coughing so violently (I never put 2 and 2 together until I went on holiday for a week and my breathing started to improve) I can only go in to the same room as them now for around half an hour, after my partner has cleaned them out. Its awful because 1 of them is so human orientated, I was training them all sorts, and I just cant spend the time with them that I want. I was thinking about getting ferrets after the 4 rats but I'm worried I'll be allergic to them xXx

Allergies are no fun. It is hard, when you love your pets, but you have to take care of yourself. I have to have hypoallergenic pets, so I have chosen not to have them for now, too busy.

Hahahah, I love that even this fairly serious subject, everything is organised into an 'internet-friendly numbered list' (as Jenny Nicholson might say, lol). You are amazing and we all support you whatever you decide! Oh, how about switching to female rats? My girls really don't pee much at all. I dunno if the enzyme is different between boys and girls. Not trying to be a gatekeeper or whatever. Just a friendly idea.

I absolutely adore rats, rodents are my special interest (rats being my favourite) but I don’t think I’d be able to own them again. They’re amazing pets but it’s so hard to loose them so soon. I wish it were easier to keep them for me, but when my boys died I couldn’t find it in me to continue owning them.

Poor thing😔