Customer Reviews

RATS! (Fun & Care Books)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

At last! A book that captures the essence and spirit and big personalities of pet rats, and gives more than just housing and feeding instructions.

This large-format (8 1/2 x 11 inches) book is full of all the information a rat owner (or prospective rat owner) could ask for. Ms. Ducommun covers the history and natural history of rats, how to tell if rats are good pets for you (including financial and time requirements), finding and choosing the right individuals, husbandry (more than half a dozen types of homes for rats are shown), communicating with your rat, first aid and health care, showing, breeding, and "Fun Activities to Do with Your Rats" (games to play, tricks to teach, and how to teach them).

Nearly every page sports a color photo: the many varieties and colors of rats (rex, dumbo, hairless, agouti, siamese...), rats playing with each other, rats enjoying the company of their humans, different kinds of rat habitats and accessories. There are handy reference charts and sidebars, such as A Rat's Basic Needs, Preventing Heatstroke, and Domesticated Rat Facts at a Glance (rats' heart rates are 260-600 beats per minute! Most humans' are 70-90). Appendices detail Healthy Homemade Rat Diet and rat clubs and publications. Wrapping it all up are a glossary and complete index.

Ms. Ducommun brings rats out of their cages and into human hearts, from small mammals running on wheels all night to true companion animals that can share our lives. If you are considering a small pet and would like an intelligent, playful, affectionate companion, try RATS!

Kimberly Borrowdale Under the Covers Book Reviews

Debbie puts everything into clear words that even a child can understand with the help of an adult. A must for the new Owner of a Rat. From past experiences to present day she offers everything she can and more to help you and your Rat not suffer anything she had to from lack of knowledge. Lots of pictures and charts help with making this the best out there. Her club is even better for more info!

Rat lovers -- if you only buy one book on pet rats this is the one to get. I own just about every book on pet rats, and believe that this is the most comprehensive and well researched to date. It contains highly informative practical information and advice and many adorable photos. The author is an expert in this field and a wonderful source for additional advice and support.

This is the most complete and accurate guide to caring for pets rats that I have ever read. It is a terrible shame that it has been allowed to go out of print. It is an indispensible reference for new and experienced rat owners. Nutrition, training, history, health...it's all here, along with some really cute photos.

This is just about the best rat book I have ever seen! I really think it deserves 6 stars, but that wasn't an option. :-) It is a exelent beginner's book, but even the most experienced rat owner can learn somthing from it. I only dissagree with Mrs. Ducommun on one point- she says to use 1x1 1/2 inch mesh for a cage. This is too big- a rat could get it's head stuck! Other then that, everything you need to know about rats is in here. The book also gives good information about breeding and showing your rats. A must-read! <:8 )~

I concur with the other reviews in this space. It really is an excellent guide, and the author's website...is also quite helpful. I am truly impressed by the detail of this book, which still maintains an easy reading level (so it's suitable for kids in the 9-12 range right on up to grownups) and an attractive layout. In addition, the author states that she is willing to help *you* with any rat questions or problems and gives her contact information, including phone number! That's dedication!

Some day, I hope to get hold of a copy of her Rat Health Care booklet, but for now this book remains my ratty Bible.

Debbie Ducommun is well-known and her knowledge of rats has helped many people. Her book is informative, covering everything from the origin of the domesticated rat, to checking for mycoplasmosis. The only thing missing from this book is a complete list of fancy varieties.

Debbie is a treasured resource in the rats as pets community. Her knowledge of all things rat is seemly limitless. This book is a concise compilation of both articles from her "Rat Report" as well as some of her other publications, in a bright and whimsical tone.

And the rat pictures range from the very informative to the extremely humorous!

If you have rats, or are thinking of getting some, be sure to get this book!

I just wanted to concur with everything that other reviewers have written. This is a superb little book with beautiful pictures of cuddly rats. The only flaw in it I could think of is that it doesn't mention my favorite rat treat (matzoh).

This book has everything that you need to know! The author is dependable and has had more experience with rats than anyone I know!