History has described them as unclean creatures that caused the Black Death of the Middle Ages. Hollywood has portrayed them as vicious killers willing to attack humans at the slightest provocation. Is it any wonder that most people are scared at the mere mention of their name?
How can such a small animal provoke such a huge reaction? But more importantly, do they deserve their reputation?
Before judging rats, it might help to understand a little about them. Everyone knows that rats are rodents, but did you know that a male rat is called a male, a female is a doe, and babies are called puppies or kittens? Rats reach puberty at a young age, between 6 and 8 weeks. Their bodies are between 9 and 11 inches long, with a tail of up to 9 inches, and they come in many different colors and varieties. Rats have an average lifespan of 2 to 3 years and are most active at night.
Now that you know more about them, let’s take a look at some of the myths that people believe about rats as pets. You may see them in a whole new light.
Myth # 1
Rats are mindless creatures.
Could not be farther from the truth. Domesticated rats are intelligent with a natural curiosity that makes them highly trainable. Simple tricks can be taught relatively easily and they love the interaction of learning. My son has a three year old Blue Fancy rat named Samantha. She quickly learned his name and will come when called. He also learned to play fetch, chasing a small plastic ball as it moves away from it on the ground and then rolling it backwards.
Myth # 2
Rats are vicious and dangerous creatures.
Rats are very friendly and social animals. They are easily tamed just by handling them from a young age. Rats enjoy spending time with their owners; bonding with them as much as a dog bonds with a person. They love to be petted and to be close to their family. Our rat loves to sit on my shoulder while I type on my computer, sometimes she falls asleep while she’s up there.
Myth # 3
Rats are unclean rodents, which carry disease.
In reality, rats are very clean creatures that groom themselves on a daily basis. The sign of a healthy rat is a clean, well-groomed coat. It is not a low maintenance pet, but it is much easier to care for than a hamster or a larger pet. Replacing the bedding in their cage every week and making sure they have fresh food and water every day will go a long way in making your furry little friend happy. I discovered that rats are neat animals. Every time Samantha’s cage is cleaned, she rearranges it to suit her needs. He likes that his house, bowls and toys are where he wants them.
Myth # 4
Rats are not playful.
Rats enjoy interaction with their human owners, which requires daily playtime. They need at least an hour outside of their cage every day to play and socialize with their family, as well as toys to play with when they can’t be there. The best toys I have found are those designed for cats. Choose the ones that your rat cannot chew, because they chew. Samantha has two plastic balls with jingle bells inside that she plays with. You can hear it at night, spinning those balls to ring the bells.
Myth # 5
Rats are just nocturnal creatures.
While this is mostly true, it is not set in stone. Rats will be awake when they think you are. Yes, they are awake at night, but they are also awake during the day. They will wake up if they feel like you are ready to play. Taking them out during the day is a great way to train them so that the day is a good time to play. Samantha sleeps through the night and during the day, but is always willing to go out during the day and spend some time with me or my son.
Rats can be a great first pet. They are easier to keep than a dog or cat and are friendlier than a hamster. With a little understanding, your family can reap the benefits of having rats, too. Give the rats a chance. You will be glad you did.