Why rats, indeed.
It started when I was in college. I was missing animal companionship, having always grown up with pets, and wanted something I could keep in my student apartment. After a little internet research, I settled on rats. It was the perfect fit.
The thing that makes rats so great is how much they're like people. Dogs live to please you and cats live to please themselves, but rats offer a more equal friendship. They bicker and squabble and make up and become friends again. They have politics and complicated inter-relations and secretive lives, but they're always willing to invite you to join in. Rats are hilarious to watch, and both cuddly and loving to their human companions.
If you're not sure rather rats are the right pet for you, here's a few things to consider.
PROs:
- Do not require walks or a lot of room
- Relatively quiet - they don't bark or meow, but they do scuffle around at night
- Smart and interactive: Rats are genuinely interested in human companionship
- Clean: Rats are easy to litterbox train and groom themselves fastidiously
- Funny to watch: Rats are pure entertainment, especially once they're in a large group
- Moderately low maintenance: They are happy staying in their cage for most of the day, so they can be great pets for people who need to work long hours
CONs:
- Short lifespans; most rats are lucky to live past 2 years
- Vet costs; rats get old fast, meaning they will require medical care quickly. They are fairly fragile and can go downhill very fast if you don't give them the care they need. You can expect to pay at least $100 per rat in medical expenses at some point and should have that budgeted out/available when you take on the pet.
- Sociable and must be kept in groups; pairs are OK, but they're best in groups of 3-5.
- Require daily socialization and out time: Bored rats are more prone to neurosis, destructive habits, and may have reduced lifespans. Happy, well-adjusted rats need to be played with daily and get regular "out" time to run around and explore.
Rats definitely aren't for everyone. The short lifespan is a main factor; many people who love rats choose to stop keeping them after several years of being worn-down by constant losses. It's especially difficult when all of your rats are the same age, as you can start losing them in rapid succession.
On the other hand, the short lifespan can be a blessing in disguise. Since they only live for a few years, you have the ability to meet many more rats than you could other types of animals. It's also easier to get into rat rescue than, say, dog or cat: Even if you cannot rehome rescued rats, you are only committed to their care for a few years, not decades.
The thing I love the most about rats is how much they're like people.
Rats have very active social lives. They have a pecking order, similar to dogs or wolves, but the relationship among rats is different than other animals. They snuggle together, groom each other, squabble over petty things, make up after arguments, all the things that people do. Rats have a sense of humor. And they happily include humans in all of their affairs.
I've had a lot of animals in my life, but I can't imagine having a home without rats.
