About Jess Expertise I can answer questions about most species of rodents. I will answer any questions about health, husbandry and welfare. I can also give advise about behaviour problems, how to overcome these and ways of enriching the life of your pet. I can help with those wanting advice about house rabbits.
Experience I have experience with rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, gerbils, hamsters and chincillas.
Education/Credentials I am qualified in animal management, I work as a veterinary nurse.
Question Hello Jess,
My dad talked about someone he knew who had a giant rat, as in cat sized. I
think this was a tamed formerly wild/sewer type rat. My question is, have these
been domesticated? I am in Northern California and would like to find one. If
you know anywhere, even in the rest of the country I would like to know. Or if
you don't know, could you point me in the right direction?
Answer No they havent been domesticated and I wouldnt recommend trying to tame wild rats for health reasons. Even if they were domesticated, you cant keep one rat as a pet, they are social creatures and must be kept in same sex pairs or groups or they show behavioural problems and are very unhappy. Some buck fancy rats grow quite big but they will never be cat sized so thats probably not what you are looking for. As on www.fancy-rats.co.uk where there are a lot of rat experts. Take care
