Congratulations on considering pet rats! Rats can make incredible little companions for the right person. Of course, they don’t appeal to everybody. Here we’ll weigh the pros and cons of pet rats, so that you can decide for yourself (and your family!) whether rats are right for you.
Pros of Pet Rats
Their size
There’s a reason they call them “pocket pets” – you can keep them just about anywhere! If you live in an apartment building that doesn’t allow cats or dogs, rats could be perfect for you.
Rats also don’t need a big backyard the way a dog would. You don’t even need to take them for walks! Rats are perfectly happy living in a cage, and actually feel safer when they have an enclosed space to nestle, burrow, and hide their treats.
While rats are happiest with a little home base, you can still take them out for a ride on your shoulder around the house with you, or design extra play areas for them. All they need is a little time outside of their cage each day to explore and interact with you.
Their sleep schedules
Rats tend to be most active in the mornings and evenings, which is extremely convenient if you work or go to school. They nap often through the day and night, but they wont hold it against you if you feel like playing with them during the day.
Rats can be active through the night – sometimes play fighting, rustling around and squeaking. So it’s best not to keep them right in your bedroom if you’re a light sleeper. Other than that, their schedules can easily align with yours.
They’re so entertaining!
Rats can be super entertaining and even comical at times. You’ll often be amazed with their crazy antics. They love to figure out how to escape their play pens, climb to new heights and end up in mind boggling new places when you give them a little space to free roam.
Rats are infinitely curious, and savour every new toy and form of enrichment you provide them. In return, it’s enriching for us, their owners to watch them learn new things!
They’re relatively easy to take care of
Rats do all the grooming themselves, so they require minimal bathing. You can trim their nails if you want, but you don’t really need to – a brick or lava ledge in their cage will help wear them down. Rats can eat just about everything we do, so it’s easy to come up with new snack ideas. Their cages only need cleaning 1-2 times a week.
Every rat has a different personality.
Rats are fascinating to get to know over time! They each have distinct personalities that unfold as they become more comfortable with you. Most rats enjoy being held, petted, and even groomed by their owners once properly socialized. Watching your rat’s unique personality develop can be very rewarding, especially if you have a group of rats you can watch interact with each other.
Rats are affectionate and sweet
Once rats become comfortable with you, they often form deep bonds of attachment and trust. They recognize their owners’ voices and seek out attention and affection.
With that said, not all rats love to be held or cuddled, especially if they haven’t been socialized from a young age. Sourcing your new pet from a breeder or rescue can help you understand what their personality is like before you adopt them.
Cons of Pet Rats
They have a distinctive smell.
Because they live in a cage, rats can’t help but play where they pee! Keeping your little furry friends smelling fresh requires weekly or bi-weekly cage cleanings. Most rats can be litter trained to some extent, but like with any pet, a new owner should be prepared for some animal smells.
Rats can be destructive.
Rats LOVE to chew, and in fact need to gnaw on hard objects to keep their teeth in good shape. When left unsupervised, rats can (and will!) chew on your electrical cords, furniture, stuffed animals, books and even your favorite sweater. Not leaving rats unattended for too long outside of their cage, giving them other things to keep them occupied, and ‘rat proofing‘ their free roam spaces are a necessity to avoid tiny teeth marks on everything you own.
They are little escape artists!
Rats are extremely clever and they’re always trying to explore new horizons. They love to climb and jump, and any barrier you put up to keep them away from things is a fun challenge for them. You’ll have to keep watch for small holes under sinks, etc. that your rats could slip under, and make sure their cage has a rat-proof closing mechanism.
They don’t live very long.
Rats only live about 2-3 years, so if losing a pet really bothers you, you might want an animal that lives longer, like chinchillas or guinea pigs.
Many rat owners have a succession plan, knowing that they’ll need to introduce new rats to their group every so often as older ones pass on.
With that said, any rat fancier will tell you that the bond they form with their little friends is worth it. Pet rats’ short lifespans can encourage you to make the most of the time you have together.
They have some common health issues.
Two of the most common health issues in rats are respiratory problems and mammary tumors (in female rats.) Because rats’ lifespans are already so short, dealing with some health issues while they live with you is almost a guarantee.
Both of these issues are treatable, but the medication can be an unexpected expense to owning rats. If you’re planning on adopting rats, start an emergency vet fund for checkups and medications.
They need companionship.
Rats should always be kept with other rats, even if you spend a lot of time with them. Rats get depressed very easily without a friend of the same species. At some point, you will find yourself in a situation where you either need to rehome the last rat in your group, or adopt new rats to make sure they always have company.
Conclusion
Rat ownership can be extremely satisfying and fun. For such little creatures, they can be highly affectionate, entertaining and rewarding to get to know and care for.
At the same time, their short lifespans, health issues, smelliness and other drawbacks can be a deal breaker for some. Take your lifestyle and preferences into account when considering rats as pets, as well as the rest of your family or roomies!
I hope this article helped you understand all the pros and cons of owning a rat. Leave a comment any time if you have any more questions or concerns!
