Hi!
Getting a pet rat before the summer holidays (long time away, but planning etc).
Only problem left is my ratophobic mother! She's ultimately going to be the deciding factor due to my age, to see if I could get (another) pet I asked if I could have a "couple of guinea pigs" - plan is to just say "rat please! " on the day

This isn't really the best approach though... Any ideas?
I've asked her before why she hates pet rats and she just said "I hate their tails", simples. I admit I did think they were disgusting at first, but after seeing one it was just one of their useful features for their day-2-day lives.

Cheers

My mum wasnt pleased about me getting rat also for the same reason, but she loved him, Ive had 4 other rats since.

Am sure your mum will come round when she realises what great pets they are and have there own personalities.

Do you know anyone else with a rat that you could visit?

They just have such amazing personalities that your mum may relent if faced with a cute little ratty.

Otherwise, how old are you? Would the 'Look mum, I'll keep my room spick and span until summer so you see you would have no reason to enter my room And I promise to keep the rat(s) in a secure tank in my room so you'll never be worried about it' approach work?

Otherwise, you may have to wait until you move out

Can't help with the phobic mother other than to say that she may come round when she sees what great little pets they are, but I would like to suggest that you don't just get a single rat. They're social animals and need same-species company. Don't let anyone tell you that a single rat will socialise better with you as a happy pair of rats will socialise much better than a lonely single rat.

I currently have 9 boys (spread across 4 cages) and have a previously-phobic mother ("you're not bringing that rat thing into my house!") who now spoils them rotten and spends every evening with two of them curled up on her lap.

We're picking up our 3 new ratties this weekend. I've had rats throughout my life but hubby is a bit apprehensive. He's been watching fab videos on Youtube about gorgeous rats and the things they can do and he's quite excited about it now!

I am absolutely beside myself with excitement. Like a kid waiting for Christmas - 4 more sleeps!

If I ever have children, no fricking way would they get a rat. Sorry. Can't bear rodents and no amount of persuasion would convince me to voluntarily have one in my house.

I remember my two ratties. I would take them out for walks in the fresh air. People would stop and look and give them a stroke.

They also liked to drink tea.

Frodo has you beaten there.

http://homepage.mac.com/lwernham/.Pictures/Beer.jpg

I'd love pet ratties but the OH refuses!

I forgot. Don't get A pet rat, get at least two. They're very social animals and a rat will be miserable if it is on it's own.

Definitely get two. We have two females, bought after much pet pestering from my kids! They are very cute but are chewing their way through the furniture when they play out.

I've found a great rat website/forum:

http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/home/

i can remember i was about 14 and wanted gerbils, guy who was in my class breed them so i arranged for him to give me 2 for my birthday
mum couldnt say no to that now could she

This probably won't help you much at the moment, OP, I'm afraid: I was in a similar situation - about 14, wanted a rat, but my mum wouldn't let me - she point blank refused - because she was too scared of them. She said "you'll have to wait until you're grown-up and have a home of your own". So I did, and once I was grown-up with my own home, out I went to get some rats - and have had them for fifteen wonderful years now.

So I guess the moral of this story is: even if your mum won't budge, hold on to your rat dream, be patient, and one day you can have all the rats you want. (I do agree with the other posters who've said don't just get one - get two - they love the company of other rats, and it means that even if you go out, they're never alone.)

And although my mum wouldn't want one in her house, she does now, when she visits me, give my rats a little stroke and say how pretty they are - so I've made some progress with her!

Re: Moll Flanders
Have persauded her, never said I wouldn't get two at the start of the thread lol - I know Rats, All Hamsters except Syrians, Guinea Pigs etc like atleast one friend.
She said she'd try and get "used" to them, and there going to be at the back of the living room so I think that'll force her abit.

Thanks for that link, registered yesterday. It's a great website with useful information and everyone on the forum is so friendly!