by Sara J. Petersen

Created on: December 03, 2009

Though many don't believe it, having a rat is like having a mini dog. Rats are trainable, friendly, and curious. Here are just a few of the reasons that rats make wonderful pets.

Trainability: Rats can be trained to do almost anything a dog can do. They can be trained to come when you call, to stay away from wires, and even use a specific space to go to the bathroom. That last one makes cleanup much easier than other rodents. Rats can also be trained to do tricks. There are books for training rats for all kinds of behaviors and tricks.

Companionship: Rats are much more interested in you than most other rodents. Their curiosity keeps them coming back to you, and they seem to actually enjoy human companionship. Many specialists have also said that domesticated rats are the least likely of rodent pets to bite you or your children.
Cheap: Rats don't cost very much to buy, and their food is also lower cost than some pets. Even their bedding is somewhat cheaper when you consider the fact that you can train them to use only one corner as a bathroom. Yes the rest of the bedding still needs to be changed on a regular basis, but often you can just remove the soiled portion.

Easy Clean-up: Many rodent cages now have a tray around the bottom to catch bedding and other items the rat throws out of the cage. This makes it easy to keep up with vacuuming, and keeps table tops free of debris. Also, if their 'droppings' should end up somewhere unwanted, they are compact and hard. It makes it easy to pick up the mess with a tissue without touching it, and the area can be sprayed with a disinfectant.

Can Be Allowed to Rome: If you train a rat correctly, they can run around the room just like a cat or a dog. It's fun to watch them scamper in and out of couch cushions, and watch their curious natures flourish. They don't have to be put in ball to make sure they are reachable when its time to go back in the cage. The only drawback to this is their size. It's very easy to step on a rat, so you must be very aware of where they are when you let them run around the house. Shutting doors to rooms you don't want them in is a good idea as well.

If you pick your rat for its curiosity, and take the time to train it, rats can make great pets. For more information about why rats make good pets, visit your local pet store and talk to the rodent specialist.

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