Rats might spring to mind as a good first pet for a child. Many of us got our first rats when we were just kids, and have been addicted ever since! One study even found that kids were happier with pet rats than they were with dogs or cats.
You may have heard that rats are low maintenance, cheap, clean and easy to care for. That’s mostly true. But rats do need daily care, and might turn out to be more costly than you expected (especially when it comes to vet care.)
Personally I’d say rats make amazing family pets, as long as parents are aware of their care needs and willing to supervise. Rats are entertaining, fun, and bond closely with their owners.
If you’re considering rats for kids under 13, just keep in mind that you will have to be the one feeding them and cleaning their cage on a weekly basis. (Rats need pretty large cages that are too much for young kids, and even some teenagers to handle on their own.)
Important considerations about rats as pets
Rats need to be kept in same-sex pairs or groups. They don’t do well alone, and show signs of depression when they don’t have a rat companion to share their life with. Even if they do spend most of their time with you, they still need a friend of their own species to groom them, communicate with them and snuggle with them in ways we can’t.
If you’re concerned your kids might fight over one rat, giving them each their own rat (who all live in the same cage) can help keep the rats company as well as minimize arguments about them.
Rats shouldn’t interact with other pets. Although some dogs and cats can be docile towards rats, and there are tons of cute videos out there of different animals getting along, the size difference and predator-prey relationship makes playtime between rats and other animals risky. Rats are also known to kill other small animals like birds, hamsters, and mice.
They also shouldn’t go outside. Even rats who are well bonded with their owners will often dart away when placed in the grass with all the scary new smells and sounds. All it takes is for one hawk to spot your rat – these birds are lightning fast and not afraid of people in the slightest!
How old should kids be?
I would recommend waiting until kids are at least 8 years old before bringing pet rats into the home, for their safety as well as the rats’. Kids should be old enough to:
- Hold rats safely without squeezing them too hard – a toddler could injure a rat by handling them too roughly or dropping them. Some rats may also bite if handled too roughly.
- Stay calm and quiet – loud noises and chaos can stress rats out and startle them.
- Understand not to pick rats up by the tail, or to grab onto or pull the tail in any way. Tail injuries are extremely painful to rats.
- Understand that if a rat squeaks, it probably doesn’t like the way it’s being touched or played with, and should be left alone.
- Understand not to put fingers or food through the cage bars – this is the most common way that accidental bites can happen. Rats can’t see very well, and sometimes get overly excited with the possibility of treats!
Some kids mature faster than others, so it’s up to you whether you think your kids are ready for pet rats. Older kids and teenagers are usually able to help you care of their rats. Cleaning out a rat cage by themselves would definitely be too much for most younger kids.
Pet rats and pregnant women
The CDC cautions pregnant women and children under 5 against keeping rats as pets. While it’s rare for a pet to pass an illness on to its owner, some domestic rats do carry pathogens that can be more dangerous to a toddler or anyone with a weakened immune system. This is true for any exotic pet.
Benefits of pet rats for kids
Having any pet teaches responsibility. Rats need to be fed, watered, and played with every day. They really thrive when they have plenty of enrichment – new and interesting items in their cage, food to forage for, and tricks or agility courses to master. The more time you spend with your rats, the better a relationship you can build with them. Kids may not be able to take care of rats entirely by themselves, but by watching you they can learn how to take care of pets when they get older!
Rats are a learning opportunity. There’s so many interesting things to learn about pet rats that you’ll never get bored with them! Like dogs, rats can learn tricks. Kids can teach them how to spin in circles, play basketball, and come when called. Rats have lots of fascinating natural behaviors like digging, nesting, climbing, balancing and jumping. You can have fun together decorating their cage each week and seeing how they respond.
Pet rats make excellent company for kids. Rats are curious about humans and most of them are very friendly. They jump on the cage bars to see you when you get home from work or school. Rats are happy to explore around your house with you, ride around on your shoulder, and get scratches from you while you watch movies.
Rats are most active around dawn and dusk, rather than being totally nocturnal. They work well for families because they’re just waking up as you’re getting home from work and school. Rats are generally very adaptable and will learn to adjust to your schedule.
Comparison of rats to other pets
Rats have a reputation for being less likely to bite than other small mammals. They’re typically more hands-on, affectionate and interested in you than a hamster or mouse.
Rats are obviously smaller than a cat or dog, and live in a cage. They are close to a dog or cat in terms of intelligence, though, and aren’t the kind of animal you could leave in their cage all the time.
Rats also need intellectual stimulation: a varied diet, playtime outside their cage, time and attention, handling, and toys.
Downsides of rats for kids
Short lifespan
Rats don’t live very long. 2-3 years can be expected, and rats from pet stores often have health problems that shorten their lifespan even more. (Rats from a good breeder usually have better health and disposition, but they still don’t live a super long time.)
From a parent’s perspective, the shorter lifespan might be one of the bonuses of pet rats! You don’t have to worry too much about your kids getting bored with them, and you wont inherit their rats when they go to college!
They need a lot of time and attention
Rats aren’t as easy to look after as other small mammals. They require daily hands-on care, a water bottle change, and fresh fruits and veggies. They also need at least an hour outside of their cage each day in a rat-proofed room. Because they’re so intelligent, rats get bored and depressed easily if they’re ignored or don’t have enrichment.
Rats can bite
Like dogs, cats, or other small pets, rats will bite to defend themselves if they feel that they’re in danger. Rats are capable of deep, painful bites if handled improperly.
Most rats are calm and gentle with people, but some rats can be more fearful, aggressive or difficult. You’re safer buying rats from a breeder than from a pet store if you want a rat who is already tame and friendly.
If you think your child might handle a rat too roughly, it’s a good idea to wait until they’re older or try a different type of pet.
The costs can really add up
Rats need a much bigger cage than you might think. They need at least two cubic feet (floor space and vertical climbing space) per rat. The cage can be a pretty expensive up-front investment, even though the rats themselves might not cost very much.
Their bedding needs to be changed regularly, and of course they need food! While rats also thrive with lots of toys in their cage, you can recycle items like small cardboard boxes, tissue boxes, and old rags for hammocks. So the toys don’t need to be too expensive.
Vet care can be just as expensive for rats as with a larger animal. Certain health problems are very common in rats, but also very treatable. Because of their shorter lifespan, you can be almost guaranteed to have a trip or two to the vet while you have pet rats.
Rats pee and chew
Rats do need a dedicated, rat-proofed room to play in for an hour or two each day outside of their cage. They will chew wires, clothing, furniture, and anything else in their path if not supervised during free roam time!
Rats “mark” – i.e, dribble a little pee wherever they go. While male rats are more infamous for this, females do it too.
Keep in mind that rats are really small, so the marking isn’t a big problem. You can get around it by throwing a washable towel over their play areas, or just wiping off any hard surfaces.
Cleaning their cage once a week, using an absorbent bedding material, and litter training rats can really help cut down on dribbling. Many rats pick up on litter training easily and will use their litter box, or a piece of paper towel, even when outside their cage.
Like with any animal, though, a certain amount of smell is hard to avoid.
Rats also LOVE to chew and will gnaw on your furniture and wires if they’re left unsupervised for too long. Providing them with lots of acceptable chew toys inside and outside of their cage can really help cut down on the extracurricular chewing.
Rats are also smart enough to learn what you don’t want them to chew if you tell them “NO!” But they should always be supervised when left to roam outside their cage.
Rat Allergies
If your kids have allergies to other furry pets, like cats and dogs, they will likely have allergies to rats too.
Because rats are so small, some kids can get around their allergies by washing their hands every time they handle the rats (which is always a good idea anyway!)
The bedding used in rat cages can sometimes cause problems, so try switching it out if someone in your family has allergies and see if that helps.
How to tell if your kids are ready for pet rats
Consider your child’s age, maturity level, personality, and whether they’re ready for the daily and weekly commitment of having pet rats. A rat is a 2-3 year commitment.
Consider whether you’re okay with caring for the animals yourself if your child gets bored with it.
I’ve often heard of parents asking their kids to do a research report on how to take care of a rat. That’s a good way to judge whether they’re serious about having a pet rat, or if it’s just a passing interest.
Young children should always be supervised when playing with rats to make sure they’re gentle with them.
Are male or female rats better for kids?
I always recommend keeping one or the other at a time. Especially with kids, because you can find yourself with a LOT of rats on your hands if males and females ever play together!
In my opinion, male rats make better pets for kids because they’re generally larger and sturdier than females. They also tend to be much lazier, and happy to sit on your lap and be petted for long periods of time.
One concern that some parents might have with male rats is the very large and obvious “accessories” hanging from their hind end! Male rats can be neutered if that bothers you, and neutering also cuts down on aggression with other males, musky smell, and oily fur.
Female rats, on the other hand, can be more entertaining to watch, because they’re more energetic and always up to some crazy antics. They’re somewhat smaller and can be more delicate than males. Females are unfortunately extremely prone to tumors as they get older. (Spaying can greatly reduce this.)
If your kids are looking for a more docile, cuddly pet, I’d recommend getting a pair or group of brothers from a breeder. It can be harder to introduce multiple adult males when they aren’t related to each other, but definitely still possible.
For more on the differences: Should I Get Boy or Girl Rats?
Conclusion
Pet rats are fascinating and endlessly entertaining. They also come with some particular downsides. I hope this article helped you to decide if pet rats are right for your family!
