When most people think of rats, a loving family pet doesn’t come to mind. But, domesticated rats actually make wonderful companions for a variety of reasons. Below are three debunked myths about rats that just might change your mind about these furry little animals:
1. Rats are dirty: False! Rats don’t like getting dirty and their grooming habits are proof. They’re constantly grooming themselves and they groom each other. They also tend to organize their food into piles, so their area stays pretty neat. If you’re considering a rat as a pet, they rarely need baths unless you’re dealing with a rat that is sick, severely overweight, or arthritic.
2. Rats aren’t very smart: False, again! Rats are extremely intelligent and easy to train. Rats can often learn tricks and are pretty good at solving puzzles and mazes. It’s also not uncommon for a rat to learn and respond to his or her name.
3. Rats are emotionless: This is absolutely not true. Rats are one of the few animals known for showing empathy and compassion, especially when seeing another rat in distress. Rats are also very social and connect to their human families, responding to the touch, sight, and sound of their people. Many rats love to cuddle.