Reasons that rats make great pets

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Reasons that rats make great pets
By Hollie (Everglow.)

When people think about animals to keep as pets, the obvious often comes to mind. Happy puppies with their wagging tails, or cats who sleep on your lap and play with balls of string. It makes complete sense of course - who doesn’t love a furry friend to snuggle with on a bad day?

While a bit more unconventional though, rats can also make amazing pets. They sometimes get given a bit of a hard time, but domesticated rats can be smart, affectionate, and at times very funny to keep as pets!

Rats live in cages, which need to be cleaned out regularly, and are happiest with company. It is best to keep rats in pairs or small groups as they are very social animals, who love playing together and snuggling together as they sleep. It is best to keep them in same-sex groups though, to avoid any unexpected baby rats! While they are playing, it is always good to have plenty of fun and interactive items in there to keep their minds and bodies busy and active. Cages with multiple levels are perfect as the pet rats will often run around, climb up the cage bars, and jump from platform to platform.

Of course, sometimes it is not possible for your rats to be in groups, and this is sometimes fine too. For example, if your rat's cage mate passes away, sometimes it can be best to keep your rat on their own. It may be too stressful if your rat is older, or they may simply not bond well with newcomers. In these cases, you may need to be more attentive to their needs, but they can be kept on their own.

Rats love comfortable, warm beds, such as hammocks to sleep in or wooden bridges under which they can snuggle together. You can make the cage as fun and interesting as you like too! If you have a favourite colour, you can deck out their enclosure with blankets and scrap materials in that colour and they will love it. It’s a great way to get creative and really enjoy taking part in making your pets' home comfortable and engaging for them. It is also a good idea to make sure that their cage is big enough for them. Rat cages should be wide enough and tall enough for them to be able to fit comfortably and move around enough. It might be worthwhile shopping around, researching, and talking to professionals to make sure you are buying the right size cage for your new pets.

Rats are rodents - which is very similar to a hamster. This means that their teeth are always growing, so it is a good idea to give your pet rats plenty to chew on. They love wooden toys or toys made from strong rope, as well as rat-safe treats, which you can buy from some pet shops. By giving them chew toys, they can gnaw them and keep their teeth the right length, which is healthier for them.

You can usually buy rat food from pet shops, but as with most animals, rats love a treat from time to time too. Treats can be healthy if given in moderation, and are a great way of gaining trust. They can also be healthy for their teeth. Luckily, rats also enjoy treats that we humans eat too. In moderation, they can enjoy some vegetables that we like to eat, like carrots. You can slice them, or shred them, and watch your rats nibble on them. They will definitely thank you for it.

Not only can you enjoy watching your rats playing and eating together, but they are also very trainable. Once a pet rat is used to your scent, they may learn to enjoy your company just like other animals. You might be able to hand train your rats by putting in items that carry your scent, such as a t-shirt, and letting them make bedding out of it. You can also get them used to your scent by feeding them treats from the palm of your hand. As they get more and more confident and comfortable with you, your pet rat may then feel comfortable climbing onto your hand. Eventually, you may be able to interact and play with them. This process takes time - remember you are much bigger than they are, so it can be scary for them at first. Be patient, and try a little bit of bonding each day. Eventually, you may be able to let your pets run and play in a safe, enclosed room, as long as there are no wires for them to chew through or small spaces for them to get stuck in! They may even choose to have a nap nuzzled up to you on your shoulder.

It is always good to remember, though, that while rats may be very trainable in many cases, some rats may never feel comfortable being touched, picked up, or played with. Where you get your rat from may impact this. For example, getting your rat from a breeder, where they are able to get used to humans from a young age, may mean they are more likely to enjoy human interaction, whereas getting them from a pet shop may take more time and work. Regardless of their temperament though, you are sure to be able to enjoy watching them interact with each other and enjoy themselves, even if you are not able to play with them yourself.

As with any pet - always do your research before you commit to caring for one. Rats, just as all animals, may be more prone to certain health conditions, such as some cancers and respiratory problems, and can vary in temperament and behaviour. Rats typically live for around three years, so if you are looking for a long-term pet they may not be the ones for you. A well looked after rat could, however, live for longer sometimes, and they are generally low maintenance, fun, and loving creatures, who can always put a smile on your face if you need it.

If this is something you want in a pet, don’t overlook them. Why not give some friendly rats a loving new home?