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I love rats. They are great pets and they are smart and great.

The reason is simple: The TAIL.

Every person I've encountered have told me after meeting my friends rat, that they like the rat, but that tail. Can't get passed the tail. I breed and own gerbils and people love them and find them cute however, they have furry tails and people still can't get pass the tail.

Pet rats are not like their wild cousins. I can't stand wild rats. Those rats are dirty and carry diseases. They are not to be pets Pet rats have been bred to be pets. They are disease-free, and are very human social.

WILD RATS DO NOT MAKE PETS. DO NOT EVER TRY TO OWN A WILD RAT. If you want a pet rat get one from a pet store or breeder ONLY!

These are some of the claims some people have made against rats:

1..Rats are dirty... That's false. Honestly they are one of the cleanest animals.

2..Rats are stupid... Rats can be "potty trained", and can learn their name and simple tricks much like a dog. They sound pretty intelligent to me.

3..Rats are biters.... false. The rat is the LEAST likely of pet rodents to bite, in fact that's why they are great for kids.

4..Rats are full of diseases.. NOPE they are very clean and if your pet comes from a good breeder it will not have any diseases. They are used in research because they can be affected by the same disease we can. So unless you have disease in your home, they aren't going to catch it.

5..Rats are stinky and messy.. their urine can be strong but if you clean their cages then it will be okay. If you don't take the time to clean their cages, don't be mad when they stink, like I said they can be "potty trained". They actually don't make that much of a mess as any other pet. They are actually cleaner than most pets.

6..Rats are short-lived..they actually if well taken care of can live for over 5 years, average is 3.

7..Rats are ugly.. Yeah right! Have you ever seen a dumbo rat they are soooo adorable and the new dwarf rats are way cute! Once you meet a rat, you can easily overlook their tail by falling in love with their sweet personality. Don't knock them til you've tried them. That's the truth.

8..They require too much work.. no they are easy to care for, especially if they have another rat friend. They don't need to be walked like a dog, they live in a cage so they will not destroy your house like a dog or cat. They don't scratch like cats. They don't have to have attention all the time. They can be left at home for hours while you are at work.

9..They are a waste of money.. They are very social, and loving. They don't require a lot of room or food or attention. They are very quiet. They are clean and enjoy being with their humans. They tend to get along with other pets very easily. My sister had one and she owned 4 cats and 1 big dog. They never tried to hurt it nor did the rat ever try to hurt the other pets. She said the rat was the best investment she has ever gotten.

10..They are not good for kids.. They are RECOMMENDED for kids. They are quiet, ease to care for and love attention. My sister's rat would sit on her shoulder while she went around the house, or it would sit and lay with her while she watched a movie. Good luck trying to get anyother rodent to do that with you. Also, They rarely bite, unlike hamsters, guenia pigs, rabbits, gerbils, or mice, which WILL BITE more frequently.

It's so sad that people have given rats a BAD name. They are awesome pets. My friends lived until they were 3 and we miss them a lot. Right now she can't get another one and I can't either. But when I get the chance I'm getting a dumbo rat and hopefully a dwarf rat. I hope to become a breeder. These animals are so dog like in a way. I can't wait til I get one.

The tail is not a BIG deal. It may look strange but they need it for balence and it is a part of their spine. I mean if people can love all on snakes I don't see how they can not love on a fuzzy rat. Rats are great and when I get mine I'm hoping to start changing people's view of them by taking them out and about so people can meet them.

You do realize you MUST have 2 rats? They are highly social animals and will become depressed and sick without a buddy. You need to get another rat. Do your research first.

People stereotype rats at disgusting sewer pest animals. That just how they have been perceived. I have 2 rats, but if I were to have a rat infestation, I would defiantly be a little freaked out. People own domesticated rats, not wild ones.

If you've ever seen like Charlotte's Web, they have that rat who goes in the trash and get food, and in that Ratatouille movie, they all perceive rats and dirty pest. So naturally everyone assumes every rat is disgusting and evil.

I know some people give me faces when I tell them I have rats, but after they see them and hold them. They fall in love.

I think people associate rats with filth. They think of sewers rats and pests. When I was trying to get a rodent a few weeks ago and my mom still kept saying "no", I was like, "Look how cute the rats are!" and she said she hated their tails. I've owned mice, guinea pigs, and a hamster now, but never rats; I hear they're very sweet and intelligent. I think people have to look past their tails and the other reasons I listed above for a rewarding pet.

~Aris and Holly the hamster :)

I think most people haven't exactly experienced rats. From when kids were young, they've been told the negative facts about rats. Movies and books also put rats below other rodents. Mostly, people just believe what they see and hear about rats, even if it's not true

I think rats are intelligent. But I can't stand their tails. They feel weird and scaly. I'm sorry. Plus people tell you about all the stuff you can catch from them when you are younger. I love rodents, when I'm older if I had the money for a massive cage I will probably get some rats. I own 6 rodents and 2 cats. 1 hamster & 5 guinea pigs. My friend used to own them and she was made about them. She couldn't convince me though. My mum would NEVER and I mean EVER let me have one.

I'm having the same issue, I got mine last week and she's adorable! I think people always associate rats with dirty rabies infested rats you find in the basement or in sewers. So far everyone who didn't like rats but has met my little Beans loves her!

I think when kids are growing up the parents tell them that rats are nasty creatures that carry diseases, steal food and attack livestock which obviously puts off a lot of people. My parents were this way with me and although I don't own rats I still think they make nice pets.

If there's some squeaking and one pinning the other it's usually play. But if there's squeaking, blood, and the use o teeth then it's fight. If this happens separate them as soon as possible.

because they believe the stereotype, rather than what they're ACTUALLY like.

some people even believe the stereotype so much that they'll continue to believe it even when they meet a real rat and they're completely opposite to the stereotype.

rats are clean, intelligent, highly social, and are one of the LEAST smelly, LEAST dirty, LEAST likely to bite and MOST intelligent and loving pets you could have.

they don't realise what strong bonds they form with people.

I don't understand it either! My rats are the best small pets I've had (and I've had several) They are super smart, clean, friendly, and *non disease giving*! Ugh, I hate when people call them nasty, my rat bit me (he mistaked my finger for food) and do you see me foaming at the mouth? XD