Who?

Pet (or fancy rats) are rattus norvegicus, the Norway or Brown rat and are the same species as the wild rat in Britain today. This is not the same species as rattus rattus, the Ship or Black rat - who's fleas were famously responsible for the spread of the black plague in the 14th century. Happily, our domesticated friends carry less health risks for humans than either cats or dogs. Indeed, the most common way for a pet rat to affect human health is allergy, with the majority of people who are allergic being affected by allergens in the rat's urine. if you are already allergic to various things or have asthma you may wish to consider this aspect of rat keeping.

Rat behaviours

The rat is an intelligent and sociable creature, capable of problem solving, learned (conditioned) behaviours, altruistic responses towards other rats and making a decision based on what it knows that it knows (or doesn't know). All of these abilities have been well tested using rats in laboratories. Because of their natural intelligence and curiosity it is likely that many pet rats are understimulated. A rat is not the kind of companion that you can leave in a cage to eat and sleep. Rats need company, challenges and opportunities to express natural behaviours (such as foraging, climbing, digging, balancing and gnawing).

How many and which gender?

You will need to consider how many rats you would like to bring into your home, and of which gender. Rats need company and you will probably want to start with a pair or trio, but larger groups will also live very happily together. Female rats are generally very active and fast, only slowing down with age. Being smaller, they are often more agile than bucks, making full use of all kinds of cage furniture and enrichment. They are often less 'cuddly' than bucks, but just as friendly and very entertaining and often very willing to learn. Bucks can be all of these things, but tend to be larger and sometimes less agile. Bucks are often very cuddly, especially as they age, but if understimulated can become slow and lazy. All rats vary in intelligence and 'trainability' but most are biddable and if regularly challenged remain active and able throughout their lives.