Pets As Presents
To be blunt, pets make the worst presents. Pets should never be given as gifts, not to family members, not even to your children. Pets are not toys. The choice of a pet is personal, the timing of adding a pet is personal, and what about cost?
I will be referring to pet rats in the following article, but this goes for any animal. Yes, they are cute and cuddly, but there is so much more to owning a pet and properly caring for it.
The purchase of a pet is the cheap part. It is the following expenses that add up. The price to get a pet rat from a quality breeder or rescue will roughly be $25 give or take. Also remember rats need a companion and need to be adopted in same sex pairs so right there the price is doubled to $50. You will need an appropriate cage to house them in that meets their specific needs which is an additional $75-100 or more depending on the brand, but a basic wire cage to fit a pair of rats you are looking on the higher end. You will also need to purchase proper food and bedding along with a water bottle, toys, plus other miscellaneous expenses. Rats need a specific diet with a specific amount of protein in their diet or it could cause health issues. Pet store seed mixes are not a balanced diet for pet rats. Contrary to what some may believe, rats cannot be fed just anything.
What if a medical emergency happens? Can they afford hundreds of dollars or more in bills? Yes, rats do need to be vetted if they get sick or if something happens to them. You must be willing to do everything possible to make and keep them comfortable including veterinarian visits if they are sick or injured. Rats are considered exotic pets as well so you will need to find a specific veterinarian that treats exotics. You cannot just take a pet rat to any veterinarian.
Do you know all the potential health risks associated with owning pet rats? Rats have very delicate respiratory systems and it is not uncommon for them, at some point in their lives, to need to be treated for a flare-up of Mycoplasmosis or an Upper Respiratory Infection (URI). Tumors are also another potential issue. No matter where you obtain your pet rat no one can ever fully guarantee a tumor may not pop-up out of no where, even with rats obtained from a reputable breeder. Tumor removal is quite expensive depending on the vet you use. If you plan to spay/neuter your rat that also ranges in price from $100 to a couple hundred dollars.
If the kids beg for one, is the family ready to devote their time to the critter? No matter what Mom and Dad will be the primary caregiver. If the parents are not ready, both in agreement or willing for the responsibility of a pet say "no." And what if you are the parent? Do you have the time to give them a minimum of 2hrs. every single day of one-on-one time outside of their cage? Rats are very social and intelligent animals. They are not a pet you just get, leave in the cage, and expect them to know and/or bond with you when you only hold/play with them once a week. They need continued socialization and human contact just like any other animal. Do you, parents, have at least 2hrs. free in your daily schedule to give rats the enrichment they truly need?
There are other options to giving a pet.
If this does not convince you, visit a shelter four or five months after any big "critter giving" holiday like Christmas, Easter, or Valentine's Day. Ask the staff how many animals were former gifts that were no longer wanted. You may be amazed at how many former gifts find themselves unwanted within the weeks or months after they were so "lovingly" given.
I will be referring to pet rats in the following article, but this goes for any animal. Yes, they are cute and cuddly, but there is so much more to owning a pet and properly caring for it.
The purchase of a pet is the cheap part. It is the following expenses that add up. The price to get a pet rat from a quality breeder or rescue will roughly be $25 give or take. Also remember rats need a companion and need to be adopted in same sex pairs so right there the price is doubled to $50. You will need an appropriate cage to house them in that meets their specific needs which is an additional $75-100 or more depending on the brand, but a basic wire cage to fit a pair of rats you are looking on the higher end. You will also need to purchase proper food and bedding along with a water bottle, toys, plus other miscellaneous expenses. Rats need a specific diet with a specific amount of protein in their diet or it could cause health issues. Pet store seed mixes are not a balanced diet for pet rats. Contrary to what some may believe, rats cannot be fed just anything.
What if a medical emergency happens? Can they afford hundreds of dollars or more in bills? Yes, rats do need to be vetted if they get sick or if something happens to them. You must be willing to do everything possible to make and keep them comfortable including veterinarian visits if they are sick or injured. Rats are considered exotic pets as well so you will need to find a specific veterinarian that treats exotics. You cannot just take a pet rat to any veterinarian.
Do you know all the potential health risks associated with owning pet rats? Rats have very delicate respiratory systems and it is not uncommon for them, at some point in their lives, to need to be treated for a flare-up of Mycoplasmosis or an Upper Respiratory Infection (URI). Tumors are also another potential issue. No matter where you obtain your pet rat no one can ever fully guarantee a tumor may not pop-up out of no where, even with rats obtained from a reputable breeder. Tumor removal is quite expensive depending on the vet you use. If you plan to spay/neuter your rat that also ranges in price from $100 to a couple hundred dollars.
If the kids beg for one, is the family ready to devote their time to the critter? No matter what Mom and Dad will be the primary caregiver. If the parents are not ready, both in agreement or willing for the responsibility of a pet say "no." And what if you are the parent? Do you have the time to give them a minimum of 2hrs. every single day of one-on-one time outside of their cage? Rats are very social and intelligent animals. They are not a pet you just get, leave in the cage, and expect them to know and/or bond with you when you only hold/play with them once a week. They need continued socialization and human contact just like any other animal. Do you, parents, have at least 2hrs. free in your daily schedule to give rats the enrichment they truly need?
There are other options to giving a pet.
If this does not convince you, visit a shelter four or five months after any big "critter giving" holiday like Christmas, Easter, or Valentine's Day. Ask the staff how many animals were former gifts that were no longer wanted. You may be amazed at how many former gifts find themselves unwanted within the weeks or months after they were so "lovingly" given.