Do rats make good pets?

Posted on 17th April 2024 by Green Lane Farm Team

Most people probably think of rats with a shudder of fear or even disgust – and it’s perfectly reasonable that you wouldn’t want to come across a wild rat in or near your home, especially as they might carry fleas or infectious diseases.

So it may come as a surprise to discover that rats, like many other rodents, can actually make great pets for the whole family to enjoy. Of course, we’re not going to recommend that you try to capture and tame a wild rat – but domesticated rats really are a very different matter!

In this month’s article, we’re going to explain why rats make good pets, along with a few tips on the best way to look after them.

pet rat

Why do rats make good pets?

They’re cute – rats come in a wide range of colours and patterns and can be just as cute as a guinea pig, hamster or any other small rodent.
They’re intelligent – experiments have shown that rats are extremely good problem solvers and even able to learn new tricks. They can learn simple instructions and are particularly good at finding their way around obstacle courses.
They’re friendly – domesticated rats are very tame and extremely social animals that can bond with their human owners. They usually enjoy being held and stroked and are just as likely to groom you with gentle nibbles and licks.
They’re playful – unlike other rodents, rats enjoy playing and you can sometimes even get them to chase bits of string in the same way that cats do. Some studies have shown that rats can even laugh – but you won’t be able to hear them because their pitch is far too high for us.
They’re clean – despite their bad reputation, rats are actually very clean animals. Like cats, they spend lots of time grooming themselves – often after being handled by their human owners, who they see as being dirtier than them!

Helpful facts about keeping pet rats

Pet rat food – like us, rats are omnivores, which means that they can eat a healthy mix of meat, fruit and vegetables. Things to avoid include onion, citrus fruit, dairy products, sugar, chocolate and grapes.
Keep more than one rat – as we mentioned before, rats are very social animals and can get depressed if left on their own. Another rat from the same litter is the best solution, otherwise be prepared to spend time with your rat to stop it getting bored.
Give them exercise – let them out of their cage for at least an hour a day, but be careful where you do it. The room needs to be safe because they can get through very small gaps and they love to chew!
Rats are nocturnal – this means that they are most active at night, at dawn and at dusk. Don’t keep them in rooms that are likely to be busy during the day – when they’re usually sleeping – and organise feeding, cleaning, exercise and fussing for their waking hours.
Pet rat lifespan – rats usually live for about two to four years, although the record is an impressive seven years. Pet rats have it a lot better than wild rats, however, as they are unlikely to live for longer than a year.

Here at Green Lane Farm Boarding Kennels, we don’t just provide a friendly home for cats and dogs – we also offer safe and experienced care for pet rats and other rodents if you’re going to be away from home. We’ll always take the time to make sure they get the right diet, plenty of exercise and lots of attention to ensure they enjoy their stay.

Call us now to book your best friend in for a visit or just to find out more about why we’re the pet hotel of choice for so many people in and around Chessington, Kingston and other towns and villages in Surrey.