| History has depicted them as filthy creatures | | | | In reality, rats are very clean creatures, |
| that brought about the Black Plague of the | | | | grooming themselves daily. The sign of a |
| Middle Ages. Hollywood has shown them as | | | | healthy rat is a clean, well-groomed coat. |
| vicious killers ready to attack humans at the | | | | They are not a low maintenance pet, but are |
| slightest provocation. Is it any wonder most | | | | much easier to care for than a hamster or |
| people are fearful at the mere mention of | | | | larger pet. Replacing the bedding in their |
| their name?How can such a small animal elicit | | | | cage every week, and making sure they have |
| such a huge reaction? But more importantly, | | | | fresh food and water daily will go a long way |
| do they deserve their reputation?Before you | | | | to make your furry little friend happy. I've |
| judge rats, it might help to understand a | | | | found that rats are orderly animals. Every |
| little bit about them. Everyone knows rats | | | | time Samantha's cage is cleaned she |
| are rodents, but did you know a male rat is | | | | rearranges it to suit her needs. She likes |
| called a buck, a female is a doe, and the | | | | her house, bowls, and toys to be where she |
| babies are called pups or kittens? Rats reach | | | | wants them.Myth #4 |
| puberty at an early age, between 6 to 8 | | | | |
| weeks. Their bodies are between 9 and 11 | | | | Rats are not playful.Rats enjoy interaction |
| inches long, with a tail up to 9 inches and | | | | with their human owners, requiring daily play |
| they come in many different colors and | | | | time. They need at least an hour outside of |
| varieties. Rats have an average lifespan of 2 | | | | their cage every day to play and socialize |
| to 3 years and are most active at night.Now | | | | with their family, as well as toys to play |
| that you know more about them, let's take a | | | | with when you can't be there. The best toys |
| look at some of the myths people believe | | | | I've found are ones designed for cats. Pick |
| about rats as pets. Maybe you'll see them in | | | | ones that can't be chewed by your rat, |
| a whole new light.Myth #1 | | | | because they will chew. Samantha has two |
| | | | plastic balls with bells inside that she |
| Rats are mindless creatures. Nothing could | | | | plays with. You can hear her at night, |
| be further from the truth. Domesticated rats | | | | rolling those balls around to make the bells |
| are intelligent with a natural curiosity | | | | ring.Myth #5 |
| which makes them very trainable. They can be | | | | |
| taught simple tricks with relative ease and | | | | Rats are only nocturnal creatures.While this |
| love the interaction of learning. My son has | | | | is mostly true, it isn't set in stone. Rats |
| a three year old Blue Fancy rat named | | | | will be up when they think you are. Yes they |
| Samantha. She quickly learned her name and | | | | are up at night, but they are also up during |
| will come when called. She also learned to | | | | the day. They will wake up if they feel that |
| play fetch, chasing a small plastic ball when | | | | you are ready to play. Taking them out during |
| it is rolled away from her on the floor, then | | | | the day is a great way to train them that |
| rolling it back.Myth #2 | | | | daytime is a good time to play. Samantha |
| | | | sleeps during the night and day, but she is |
| Rats are vicious, dangerous creatures. Rats | | | | always willing to come out during the day and |
| are very friendly, social animals. They are | | | | spend some time with me or my son.Rats can be |
| easily tamed simply by being handled from a | | | | a great first pet. They are easier to |
| young age. Rats enjoy spending time with | | | | maintain than a dog or cat, and are |
| their owners; bonding with them much as a dog | | | | friendlier than a hamster. With a little |
| bonds with a person. They love being petted | | | | understanding your family can reap the |
| and being close to their family. Our rat | | | | benefits of rat ownership too. Give rats a |
| loves to sit on my shoulder while I'm writing | | | | chance. You'll be glad you did.Dawn Arkin is |
| at my computer, sometimes falling asleep | | | | a former rat phobic who discovered the joys |
| while she is up there.Myth #3 | | | | of having a pet rat later in life. This |
| | | | article has been submitted in affiliation |
| Rats are filthy, disease bringing rodents. | | | | with which is a site for Pet Forums. |