I Have 2 cats (both are15 years old and both are bird and mouse hunters) and 2 rats (18 months old) and I haven't had many problems.
The only incident I had was one cat trying to get a better view inside the cage by standing on it's hind legs with its paws against the front of the cage. I told the cat ';No'; and then shut him out of the room.
If at any point after that either of the cats were showing a bit too much interest in the rats they were told firmly ';No'; and would then be promptly taken outside. They soon learnt that if they wanted to be in the same room they would have to leave the rats alone.
It also helped that when the cats were present I would go to the rats cage and play with them in full view of the cats (hopefully) making the cat realise that the rats are not prey!
I've let them all have a sniff of each other (keeping a firm hold on the cats) so they are used to each others scent as my cats are always incredibly interested by anything new whether it be a huge rat cage or a new cushion for the sofa!
My cats are now not interested in the rats at all and don't even give the cage a second look when they come into the room.Is it possible to socialise adult cats with pet rats?
I really wouldn't recommend trying this, even though rats are comparatively large rodents, the cats innate hunting instincts are likely to prove over any attempts of socialisation and deem the risk too high.
I had three cats and a pet rat, my rat used to sit on my shoulder as i moved around my home when i sat down the rat used to run around the sofa my cats were fascinated and used to watch him if they ever used to take a swipe at him either he would run back to the safety of my shoulder or i used to shout at the cats no so they knew what they were doing was wrong, it's never going to be an ideal situation but they will learn when you are around they can't get near but like you say i would never leave them unattended it's an instinct for them to try and kill, rats make lovely pets you will really enjoy them, two boy's together or two girls together make sure they aren't opposite sex's u will be over-run!
no absolutely not cats will attack your hand if waved under something they wont see it as a rat just something to play with ......and kill what fun ..
I'm sure that in no time at all the cats will be socialising with the rats (having them round for dinner).....
That is an iffy one.
I never had a problem with my cat with bigger rodents, such as my guinea pigs and chinchilla. Hamster, mice or anything small...forget it, they see it as prey.
I have two rats now, the cat is interested in them, but he isn't trying to attack them.
I think when the Rats are full grown, there is a chance they can maybe tolerate each other, but they I highly doubt they could ever be ';buddies';.
I've had cats and rodents and even fish in the same house, and it's never ended well, even when the cats were aware of the smaller animals from kitten-age. (That may have been part of it; they were just waiting to catch that fish that swims all day, taunting them...)
I managed to introduce two pet rats to my cat a few years ago (the rats have since died from cancer and natrual causes) I introduced them one at a time while the rats were in their cages and they seemed to understand that this wasn't prey. I of course never tested it, but they all lived happily side by side until the rats died..they were kept in a seperate room that the cat didn't usually reside in and when I fed them and cleaned out their cages, they were in a small travel case and the cat would sniff them out, but Tally would bite her so Penne didn't really want to go too near them and Penne does bring me mice, birds etc so I know she's a hunter.
Getting pet rats when you have cats is a bad idea. Even if the rats are kept in another room, since the cats have the hunting skills already, they will smell the rats and be bothered that they can smell them but not see them.
If by some misfortune the rats would get out, things would not be pretty. The cats would likely win but rats can give nasty bites, and so you could end up with all the animals being injured or worse, with all the problems that entails.
Rats are not very good pets anyway. You will never get the affection and unconditional love from a rodent that you get from a cat.
Well, you could try with one cat at a time, show them the rat (who's still in the cage), and see if they attempt to catch it. I'm not sure if trying to curb by a sharp ';No!'; and a tap on the nose would do (when they do actually attempt it), but you can try.
My aunt has an adult male cat who doesn't hunt - he's SCARED of the hansters and the rabbit she owns! The rabbit chases him if you took her out while he's around. Its funny, but a little sad.
i would say no, but if you had a kitten and they grew up sort of together then yes.
i'm thinking no because i had an adult cat and a hampster and for about 6 months i tried to introduce them and then one day my hamster got out and it didn't end well.
waoh
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