Why a Rat?

Many of you have a dog, cat, or a bird at home, but what exactly makes that animal a good pet. The first answer is Love. When you have an animal that you feed and care for, more often than not, you develop a fondness for that animal due to their need for you. Some animals give affection back to you such as a dog, or cat. A cat will purr, or rub against your leg when they want attention from you. Dogs show excitement with a wag of the tail. Rats will grind their teeth together in a fast chattering motion when they are happy, this is called bruxing. Linus shows his affection by licking my hand continuously when he plays with me as well as bruxing while perched on my shoulder, nestled in my hair.

Some pets are also very good learners. Birds are a perfect example. They can be taught to mimic different sounds or even words. Dogs also learn amazingly well. They can fetch objects, and bring them back to the owner. Some are used in hunting to sniff out an animal. Well, Rats can also be taught to perform small tasks, such as standing, walking, balancing, and much more. I have already begun teaching my rats small things here and there. Using small treats, like corn flakes, raisins, or rice crispies, I have taught them to run through cylinder tubes. When I put them in their cages, they always come running back to the door to give me a kiss. I have also taught them to walk down my arm when I tell them to, and often times they will jump on command from my hands to a softer surface like the couch or bed.

Although my rats are very similar to most conventional pets when it comes to affection and learning, they are very unique. Rats love to explore small crevices. Once, Linus had climbed between the couch cushions. I thought I would never catch him. They also let their nose lead them everywhere. Food is always on their minds. Chewing is one of the downsides of owning a rat, although I have been lucky enough to have 2 well behaved rodents that rarely chew on anything.

Rats also have a very short life-span. Most dogs or cats can live anywhere from seven years to 20 years while rats only live three to five years. It is nearly impossible for a rat not to develop respiratory problems. There are things you can do to prevent/prolong these problems that involve their bedding, diet, and overall health. Tumors are also very common in female rats, which can also lead to a shorter life-span.

So "why Rats?" you may ask. Even though they do not live very long, they're affection within the time they have is amazing. Although their chewing habits can sometimes be annoying or become a problem, rats can easily learn new things from you. Rats are smart, fun, and very sociable, good for all ages. So to you I ask, "Why a dog, or a cat, or a bird? Why not a rat?"