I want a pair of rats so very much, but I currently have five cats with high prey drives and I just can't see the two species getting along well enough to make it work. I don't want the ratties to be terrified all the time by the predators lurking outside their house, and I don't want my cats to try to kill the rodent members of the family.
I do see people here have made that work. Did your cats simply not have high prey drives, or did you train them somehow to stay away from the rats? If so, how? 
Assuming this could be worked out, I understand that rats are social critters and it's best to have a same-sex pair at least. Also, they need a lot of stimulation and love. How big of a cage is recommended? (I really don't want them to have a cramped space.) Do they enjoy those running-around-the-floor balls or is it better to have them free to climb all over you when they're out of the cage? Is it better to save them from a pet store or try a rodent rescue? (I know there are books out there for things like this, but I also want to learn from others' experiences.)
How long did your rats live? I understand the lifespan is about three years. I don't want to make anyone sad, but how do you cope when they reach the end of their lifespans?
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I Haven't Seen Any Rat Owners On Here Yet
