-Everyone says they stink, but if you would keep their cage clean and everything, will they?
Boys smell more than girls; neutering can help, but they just have more of an odor. My girls didn't smell (if I smelled them up close they reminded me of grapes :>
). Keeping the cage clean will surely help, but I kept girls for over 5 years, and had no problems with smell.
-Can you litterbox train them? Yes, and no. It depends on the rat; some will learn better than others. They do tend to use certain areas of the cage, and it can help to put different bedding in (ie: litter where you want them to go and fleece where you want them to sleep.
-Will they use the bathroom on you while you have them out? Sometimes...but, let me tell you it is a LOT easier than when a rabbit goes outside the cage. The urine is really just a little trail, not a whole lot. And they do not poop anywhere near the amount a rabbit does. And again, depends on the rat. I've had some that were sloppy with that, and some that were immaculate until they were just old and incontinent.
-How expensive are they? Like with everything, food, cage, rat, toys, and all...
If you adopt one that needs a home, you can often get one with a cage for not that much. ;>
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To start from scratch, probably $100? Food and toys are not that expensive. Just like bunnies, rat people would rather see rats be sold for higher amounts. This will lessen the likelihood of ending up snake food. (no diss toward snake people, just answering the question!)
-How do they "play"? Do they roam around or will they play with toys?
Some like to hand wrestle with you, some are licky, some we call "rodentists" (don't ask - you have to really be a rat person to allow that). They don't really play with toys (at least mine didn't), but you can do LOTS of fun stuff, like have a
fishing for peas party, grow a digging box where you plant treats and the rats have to find them... There are lots of fun things you can play with rats.
Rats are like little dogs; they love when you come home, come running to see you, kiss you & want your attention. Boys are more laid back than girls, but I loved having girls because they are so on the go all the time. Rats are very curious, and social. If you are going to get one, make sure you get two. It isn't any more work, and it's better for the rat.
The best rat forum around(IMO) is Goosemoose Pet Portal. A few of us here are also over there. If you really want to get the feel for what rats are like, check it out over there:
http://www.goosemoose.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,118/forum,rat
You will find that rattie owners love their rats with as much passion and ingenuity as the rabbit people here love their bunnies.
Rats are wonderful; the biggest drawback is they have a short lifespan (2-3 years). Other than that, I miss having them, though I live vicariously through undergunfire, SnowyShiloh. katt.... One day, I'll have them again.
I hope that I answered some of your questions. Feel free to ask if you any more.
How'd I do, Amy?