Fancy or plain, these animals make good pets.

Rats make a good pet. They are calm, friendly and smart and don't smell as much as mice. While wild rats from Norway were domesticated a long time ago as lab animals, their descendants today are smaller and calmer. Rats do not just have to be white. There are some rats known as “fancy rats” that come in a wide range of colors. Make sure you get a young rat so you have a better chance of training it. Rats are very smart and can be trained to be with you. They can travel with you in your sweater or pocket, and come when they are called.

What do I feed my rat?

Lab chow in pellet form is available at your local pet store. Rats are also okay with eating some people food such as cheese, seeds and greens. They will let you know what they like and don't like. Make sure your rat has plenty of water. Try our WIDE MOUTH AQUARIUM CAGE WATER BOTTLES.

Where does my rat live?

Rats like to live in an are the size of a 10 gallon tank. They need their water bottle and food dish along with something to chew on and some nesting materials. Make sure the top of the cage has a wire mesh cover. You can also take your rat out to play, but keep an eye on it as it can disappear very easily into holes in the walls and furniture.