Intelligent, Social, and Affectionate Companions
Rats often evoke negative reactions, with people associating them with squeaking sounds, scurrying movements, and even a few terrified screams. While wild rats can carry diseases and damage crops, it’s important to remember that every species has the potential to cause harm. Dogs, for example, can attack livestock, cats can transmit salmonella, and even fish can spread diseases like Vibrio to humans. 
Despite their bad reputation, rats are remarkably intelligent creatures that play essential roles in ecosystems. Beyond that, they make surprisingly wonderful pets for a variety of reasons.
Rats Are Clean Animals
Contrary to their “dirty” stereotype, rats are meticulous groomers. Debbie Ducommun, author of Rats: Practical, Accurate Advice from the Expert, explains, “Rats groom themselves constantly, leaving them with virtually no odor. They don’t require brushing or dental care from their owners.”
Rats’ grooming habits go beyond simple licking; they scrape away dead skin, dirt, or parasites and use their teeth to comb their fur back into place.
As an owner, your main responsibility is maintaining a clean cage. The frequency of cleaning depends on the number of rats and the cage size. Typically, a weekly wash with soap and water and daily removal of soiled bedding will suffice. If you smell ammonia (a urine-like odor), you’ve waited too long to clean.
Resilient and Adaptable
Rats are hardy animals, often more adaptable than other rodents like hamsters or gerbils. Both wild and domesticated rats exhibit an incredible ability to thrive in changing environments. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) notes, “Rats are incredibly resilient creatures, showing no difficulty adapting to new circumstances.”
This adaptability makes rats suitable for various types of households. For people with busy lives, a group of rats can keep each other company during the day and provide companionship in the evenings. Compared to dogs, they require far less time and attention while still being engaging and affectionate.
Highly Social Creatures
Rats are naturally social animals and thrive with companionship. It’s always best to have more than one rat, as they spend considerable time grooming and playing with each other. According to Ducommun, “No amount of human attention can replace the bond rats form with other rats.”
That said, their social nature also makes them fantastic pets. Once they bond with you, rats will enjoy your company and actively seek interaction. Their intelligence and curiosity make them delightful companions for playful activities.
Moreover, caring for two rats doesn’t significantly increase your workload. Rats can build relationships with all family members and often enjoy being held and played with.
Smarter Than You Think
Rats possess high levels of intelligence, comparable to that of dogs. They can solve puzzles, navigate mazes, and even learn to respond to their names. With a little effort, you can create fun mazes or provide stimulating toys to keep them mentally engaged.
Ducommun highlights, “Rats are smart enough to wrestle with your hand and play interactive games like hide-and-seek, tug-of-war, or tag.” Their cognitive abilities make them just as trainable as dogs—without the need for walks or outdoor space.
However, be cautious—their intelligence makes them expert escape artists. Regularly inspect their cage for damage and ensure all doors and lids are securely locked.
Great for Kids
With proper socialization, rats can be excellent companions for children. Kids should be taught how to handle rats gently, and they should never be left unsupervised. Once children learn to care for these animals respectfully, rats will bond closely with them. Due to their affectionate nature, rats rarely bite once they form a connection with their owners.
Changing the Reputation of Rats
Rats are intelligent, resilient, and highly social animals that deserve a second chance as pets. Even wild rats play a vital role in ecosystems by acting as scavengers and helping to keep the environment clean. As pets, they capture our hearts with their charming personalities and engaging behavior.
