Rats truly have an undeserved bad reputation, as nasty, disease carrying rodents. If you can overlook the stereotype, I’ll show you how to make one into a fantastic pet!
Why a rat? In today’s world, many people do not have the space or yard for a dog or cat. A bird in a cage is loud and messy, and frankly, would rather fly away. Mice, gerbils and hamsters are not evolved enough to bond with humans, and snakes would eat you if you were small enough to fit inside their mouth. A rat, considered to be snake food by many, is quite possibly the perfect pet. Why?
Rats are smart, cute and clean. When you walk into the room, a pet rat takes notice, and stops what he is doing to say hello. A rat is easy to feed, consuming many common foods and seeds. A rat uses its tiny hands to grasp fingers and food, which is fun to watch. Rats are inexpensive, and easy to care for.
Where do I find a pet rat? You will need to purchase a domesticated rat, preferably hand-raised. Pet stores carry the usual variety, gray and whites (hooded), and solid white. The cost varies from $2 for a feeder rat, to $10 for a pet rat baby. If you’d like something more exotic, find a breeder. They specialize in the unusual, from Dumbo-eared rats to hairless rats.