Tips for adopting and keeping pet rats?

I’m thinking about adopting a pet rat. My mom KIND of agrees that I can get a rat, but my dad’s not really convinced. Can you give me some tips and any information you have about keeping rats? And also, is it better to get a male or a female? Thank You soo much for your help!!
P.S. How are they around guinea pigs and other pets? Thanks!!!!

What are your tips for keeping a pet ferret as healthy as possible?

I am to be getting a pet ferret soon and I understand that they are prone to illness and unfortunately terminal disease. So I was wondering some things you can do to keep a ferret as healthy as possible, and anything that may prevent sickness. Also, do you recommend buying from a pet store or home breeder? Do home breeders usually spay/neuter, and get the shots for the ferret babies?

Be as detailed as possible! I know they are a difficult pet to take care of and I want to be prepared.

How much money do you think should be spent on keeping a pet healthy and alive considering…?

This is a question regarding ethics and morals. That is why I did not post this in the pet section. Nor is this a financial question.

In a world where many people don’t have enough money to afford adequate health care or even needed operations, can I justify spending money to keep my cat alive and healthy? If you say yes, is there a point monetarily where you can no longer justify the expense?

I love my cat. He is a good and faithful friend. However, these days, vet bills are considerable. Non-pet people may not realize this but gone are the days where spending $60 to $100 a year on a pet was a lot of money. That’s the cost of one vet appointment. These days veterinary medicine has progressed to the point where they can do chemotherapy on a pet. It’s expensive. But expense is not the question. I can justify spending a certain amount on my pet. But I wonder if it’s ethically or morally “right” to “heal” my cat (no matter the cost) when humans go without needed medical attention
Please – this is not a “money” question. This is not “me” trying to justify not spending money on a pet. I did spend over $5000 on my previous cat in her last three months of life. Like Ladeebug71, I kept the cat alive longer than I should have. Those of you who are addressing the “spend money on a pet versus spend money on people” are the ones answering my question. I agree with the “animals have a right to live also” people. And I agree with those who point out I probably wouldn’t donate the money to people anyway. I was trying to see if people thought as I did and I was hoping to get some opposing view points that would give me new thoughts to consider. I’m leaving the question open for a while longer but I want to thank you all who have already answered the question.

House Cats. Eight Tips for Keeping Indoor Cats Happy

The number of house cats is increasing. More and more cat owners are deciding that it’s no longer safe for their cat to go outside unsupervised; cars, other animals, poisons and malicious people are just some of the reasons.

Indoor cats can lead very happy lives, but they do need to be entertained more than outdoor cats. If house cats aren’t stimulated enough, they’ll get bored and may become stressed or exhibit cat behavior problems such as scratching the furniture and ignoring their litter box.

Here are 8 tips for keeping your house cat happy and entertained:

1. Make sure he has plenty of cat toys. He should have toys in every room. To add interest, split his toys into two or three batches and rotate them every few days.

2. Get him some good cat furniture. A scratching post is a must. Two or three in different areas of the house is even better. If you can afford it, cat trees and cat condos are great for entertaining house cats. If you’re on a tight budget, you can make a cat condo using boxes, carpet, logs etc.

3. Use catnip. If your cat likes catnip, sprinkle it around his scratching post, bed and other favorite areas.

4. Provide seats for your cat near windows. Cats love to watch what’s going on outside, and to sit in the sun. Window views at garden or street level are likely to provide more entertainment than those at higher levels in the house.

5. Grow some cat grass in a pot. This is a good substitute for eating grass outside.

6. Get a DVD specifically made for cats. Yes they do exist! Some cats love them and some aren’t interested, but they’re relatively cheap so it’s worth a try.

7. Use a computer screensaver with swimming tropical fish. Some cats love this – it’s like ultimate cat TV.

8. Teach your cat to walk on a leash. This does take some time and patience, but if you can do it you can then take your house cats outdoors in total safety.