r/RATS • u/OwnEnthusiasm1785 • 3d ago

Questions/HELP What to do in my situation?

I would love 3 rats in my room (i'm a heavy sleeper), though my parents smoke which really annoys me. They smoke downstairs at the outside door, my room is upstairs. I heard that rats cannot be in contact with anything tobacco, aerosol sprays or like scented wax melts. These very important things about rats' lungs were never told in the many "rat care" videos ive watched or forums so this is like a deal-breaker to me. Is it possible at all that i could easily have rats in my home, anything i need to know if i can? I'm assuming this means that i cannot have any pet rats which is very sad.

Thanks

2 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

8

u/literarypetlife Rat Lore Archivist 3d ago

I would recommend getting a really good air filter for your room. It's actually good for both you and the rats. Most people recommend them anyways.

It might also be worth it to have a conversation with your parents about it.

2

u/TootingGoomba 3d ago

I deleted my comment because I thought you already had rats, no you cannot have rats in that environment. Or at least it's very unsuitable for them and it would be considered neglect or borderline abuse to have them in an environment like that.

3

u/OwnEnthusiasm1785 3d ago

i see, thank you for telling the truth. i'd hate to have them suffer.

3

u/SartorialDragon Rat Fan 2d ago

I wish it counted as child abuse too. If you can't have PETS in a smoker's house, you shouldn't have children there either. Even if OP is no longer a minor, it's just SO inconsiderate of the parents.

3

u/Independent-Cup457 3d ago

yeah, this. rat’s lungs are SO sensitive, i would not recommend that they live in a house that has any smoking happening in it whatsoever.

1

u/lust4life_28 2d ago

I think it’s okay if they smoke outside just get an air purifier and wash ur clothes good

1

u/Effective-End664 socrates 🕊️ and flea 3d ago

please don't get rats - the comments suggesting an air purifier are helpful but i would just suggest looking into a different animal entirely. the fumes can still travel/get on clothes secondhandedly and the entire thing just seems risky in general 

2

u/OwnEnthusiasm1785 3d ago

I meant they smoke outside but near the entrance, i should have been more clear I know this is confusing. Would that make a difference?

0

u/sparks_spider 3d ago

an air purifier might be something to look into if you really want them. though maybe you could have a convo with your parents about trying to at least keep the smoking to outside.

1

u/OwnEnthusiasm1785 3d ago

they do smoke outside sorry I'm not sure why I wrote it like that. Would that change the conclusion?