I shared this on my Facebook page a couple of weeks ago but figured it's pretty important so should be on my site too! It's a common misconception that rats are cheap pets, however most people learn quite quickly that this isn't true. Ignoring the cage setup and food, vet bills alone can sometimes cost hundreds which is why it's a good idea to have a 'vet fund'. Whilst with most other pets you can get insurance, insurance for rats is very limited and often not worthwhile. The best option is to put money aside each month so that you have finances available whenever you need it.
