Rats as Pets

Templeton: You’re a pig! Pig equals slop. The rat is happy!
Wilbur: My name’s Wilbur! Do you have a name or is it just ‘The Rat’?
Templeton: Did you say ‘just the rat’? For your information, pig: The rat rules! We were here long before your kind and we’ll be here long after. So, you just keep that in mind next time you feel like reducing me to just ‘the rat’.
Wilbur: You called yourself ‘The Rat’.
Templeton: I can call me that. You can’t. (From Memorable quotes for Charlotte’s Web, 2007, IMDB.com)

For some reason, today I’ve been thinking of Templeton the Rat, from the book Charlotte’s Web. So I thought I’d have some fun and do a little research – here’s what I found:

1. Rats are extremely clean animals
2. They are very intelligent and curious
3. Their long tails give them a great sense of balance, making them good climbers
4. The rat is considered good luck in China
5. Their lifespan is 2-3 years
6. Many rats enjoy swimming
7. They are very social animals and do better with other rat companions
8. Rats bond as much with humans as dogs do
9. Their natural curiousity makes them easy to train
10. A sign of a healthy rat is a well groomed one

Some quotes I found from people who have/had rats as pets:

“Rats are fantastic pets. I’d absolutely have one, but I fear the cats wouldn’t see it as a member of the household.”

“I’ve known people who’ve had rats as pets since I was a kid-what’s the big whoop?”

“Rats make lovely pets.”

“We never had a rat bite a kid, but did once have a 4 yo girl bite a rat.”

“Best little pet I every had. Very sweet and affectionate.”

Next time you’re looking for a pet, check out your local humane society for a pet rat!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

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