Do Rats REALLY Make Good Pets?
Dear Sara,
A friend of mine suggested I get a pet Rat. Seems a bit gross, but she said they actually make really great, low maintenance pets. What are your thoughts? My mom said they eat baby’s toes.
Thanks!
Parker
Dear Parker,
The Rat certainly has a bad reputation. Your mother is thinking about the wild breed of city rat… DO NOT PICK ONE UP FROM THE SUBWAY TRACKS AND TAKE IT HOME.
I love the idea of a pet rat! Here are some things most people don’t know about fancy rats that make them a very attractive contender in the quest for a pet!
Little Known Facts about Rats:
1. Pet, “Fancy,” Rats are as far from wild, subway rats as a Yorkie dog is to a Coyote.
2. They are easily litter trained and clean themselves as regularly as a cat.
3. They are extremely intelligent. If given the proper attention, these pets learn their names and come when summoned. They also enjoy learning new tricks and commands from their human.
4. They get very attached to those in their lives. Most are happiest when they are snuggled up with their human or other rat companion.
5. They have leashes for rats. You can take your rat out on a walk, just as you can with a dog. (Less of a stinky mess to clean up with a rat.)
6. Rats have insane memories. They learn a route one time, and they will never forget it.
7. They just want to fit in. They are easily influenced by their peers, just as humans are. They are willing to do anything to adapt to fitting in their environment. You should always treat your pet rat as part of the family.
8. Rats laugh when they play.
9. Rats eat using their adorable tiny people hands.
10. Rats always take care of their sick or injured cage mates.
11. Unlike common rodent pets, such as the Hamster and Gerbil, these smarties RARELY bite. Research shows that a rats are much safer pets for small children than both hamsters and gerbils.
12. Rats need the attention of their human or a rat companion, or they will become extremely depressed.
13. Rats have lots of personality. Their intelligence also gives them very distinctive personalities. The more you interact with your rat, the more his/her individual temperament will come out. They can actually become great companions.
14. They can sense moods. They can tell if you are feeling happy, sad, angry, excited, whatever! They feed off of the mood of their human, so try and hang out with your little buddy only when in good moods.
15. It is physically impossible for them to throw up. No nasty floor surprises!
16. Babies LOVE to play fight with each other. They look like tiny Ninjas. Quite entertaining.
17. With being so small in physical size, it is easy to keep them happy in even a small apartment.
18. They sleep 13 - 15 hours a day.
19. They LOVE to be pet. Especially behind their big ears. Once they know their human well enough, they will often roll over to ask for a belly rub.
20. They are cute. Some complain about their tails being “creepy,” but GET OVER IT, they are just used to maintain balance and body temperature.
Sara Bellum
Times are tough, my friends, and I've got bills to pay, so I decided to put my encyclopedic knowledge of all things sci-fi & fantasy-related to use to help me land a day job. To tell you the truth, it's kind of a nice change of pace. My manicures have been lasting a bit longer lately.
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