by Peter F. Ravenson

Created on: May 16, 2009   Last Updated: May 17, 2009

Imagine man's best friend being pocket sized and you have, the rat. Many people do not take the time to find out that there are a lot of differences between wild rats and domesticated rats and so we find the pet rat at the bottom of the pet food change a lot of times. Even with this view though pet rats can give you a lot of advantages over a lot of different pets that tend to out sell them.

For starters rats are highly intelligent. Unlike most pet rodents, rats, are very quick learners and can problem solve very well. They also can learn up to 10 commands including, but certainly not limited to, coming when called, jump, climb, stand. The other overwhelming advantage of a rat over a good number of other pocket pets is its social habits. Pet rats not only like being around their owners, but they thrive from the attention that they get from them. When a person walks in a room with a mouse, it just sits and does its thing, but when that same person comes in the room with a rat, immediately the rat is interested in what's going on.

Contrary to what many people believe rats that have not been abused do not bite unless they have not been taught that fingers aren't food when you hand them some. Usually if they do, its more of a slight pinch than what their teeth could be capable of. Rats also have individual personalities just like dogs. For every rat theirs a uniqueness to them that makes them stand out. One might be shy, while another can be a dare devil and have an out going personality.

Unlike other rodents if they get out, they rarely run away, because they actually want to be around you. They really aren't that difficult to take care of. You can either get them the lab food or just think of what is healthy for you to eat and turn it into a rat sized portion and you can probably give it to them. Other than food, water, and a decent size cage all a rat asks for is your affection.

Rats might be small and they might get a bad name, but I dare you to hold a tamed baby rat and not fall in love with it. Of course the big difference between a dog and a rat is that I bet its a lot easier finding space for a rat than a dog. Let's just see you put your dog in your shirt pocket. So, yes even though the majority of the population doesn't agree, the pet rat is every bit as much capable of being man's best friend as Fido or Fluffy are, but in a pocket friendly omnivore type way.

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