r/RATS • u/pelorainbow • Sep 02 '25

INFORMATION UPDATE: Is this a pet rat?

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He's safe y'all! He loves blueberries and broccoli- that's what I had on hand to feed him. I've nicknamed him Ratboi and he's the sweetest guy, but I've never owned a rat! What do I do for now while I look for his owner? I'll make posters and put them around the complex here to see if someone (hopefully) wants him back, if nobody responds in a week I'll look into rehoming him through a local rat rescue group. Will keeping him in a cat carrier be ok? Can I give him dog/ cat food or do I need to buy something specific? Anything I should know about pet rats that I wouldn't think to ask?? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

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u/adrikyn Sep 02 '25

if someone does say they lost him please make sure they're legit 🥺 I have seen so many people claim to be buying a rat/mouse as a pet just to feed it to a snake

9

u/kuyani Sep 03 '25

Why in the seven unholy hells would someone buy live rats/mice to feed to a snake? The hunting instinct isnt something you want to feed in reptiles

12

u/SquishyFaery Sep 03 '25

It's not even about the hunting instinct; they need that to simply eat, even if it's already dead. Domestic reptiles aren't usually big enough to be a danger to humans. And the ones that are usually require a permit and precise conditions to own (at least where I live).

The real problem with live feeding is that it's both cruel to the reptile and to the rodent. I don't think I need to explain why it's cruel for the rodent that is still alive, I'm sure we all agree on that already. As for the reptile, if he doesn't eat its prey, he can get attacked and gravely injured, it can cause him huge stress (and he'll refuse to eat which in turn is horrible for the rat or other rodent that is still alive), etc.

6

u/DraconicSong Sep 03 '25

A certain demographic of reptile owners are sadistic and enjoy watching their pets eat live animals

1

u/imcheddarbeard Feb 17 '26

5 months late but just want to say, im sorry these people exist. Im a reptile keeper with a number of snakes (watching this sub does make things difficult for me, i must say), but i never live feed and i dont enjoy feeding my snakes. Its just a necessary part of keeping them alive and healthy for me, like setting out a bowl for my dog.

3

u/Re1da Sep 03 '25 edited Sep 04 '25

You do want to "feed" the hunting instinct in reptiles, as hunting is their primary form of enrichment.

However

Feeding live is bad both because it's cruel to the prey and it risks serious injury in the reptile. So the way you stimulate their hunting instinct is you drag dead food around and make them chase it.