Why Rats Are Good Pets
Rats are great pets, but they can bring a few health problems with them. The first one is ringworm, which can be transmitted from humans to rats. A second is rat-bite fever, which is infectious and usually fatal for rats. Rats also can bring home hantavirus, which can cause a cold-like illness in humans.
Rats are extremely intelligent and can be trained to do many different things. They understand parts of human language and can learn tricks. They can also learn their name and communicate important commands. Rats are often entertaining themselves, especially if their surroundings are stimulating. They are also known to be great messengers, which is an incredible benefit.
Another benefit of rat pets is that they are low-maintenance. Many people cannot dedicate the time necessary to care for pets. Rats require only minimal maintenance, which makes them ideal for people with busy schedules. Rats are also great pets for children. They will make the whole family laugh.
While rats don’t require baths, they do require some assistance with their nails and tails. As young as 3 months, rats may need help with nail trims and tail cleaning. Rats are not incontinent, but they may leave small drops of urine on their skin. This is called marking behavior, and is typically seen in the highest-ranking rats.