Rats As Companion Animals

Scabbers is having a rough go of it at the beginning of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. After the Weasley family’s trip to Egypt, Ron’s hand-me-down rat companion is looking shabbier than ever. He’s growing thin, losing his fur, and often trembling with fear. 

Of course, it’s revealed that the “common garden rat” is none other than Death Eater Peter Pettigrew in Animagus form... who is (rightfully) shaking in his furry little rat feet over the imminent return of his wrongfully imprisoned ex-best friend, Sirius Black. 

But that’s not the point. 

The point is, today is World Rat Day!

We’re taking a moment today to celebrate these clever, curious, and affectionate critters and to set the record straight on companion rats. These oft-misunderstood creatures are typically depicted as dirty, vicious, and foul-tempered. Even in the Harry Potter books, rats aren’t held in the same respect as the majestic owls, courageous cats, and loving canine characters like Hedwig, Crookshanks, and Fang.​

We especially see this in the scenes with Pettigrew in rat form as Scabbers, who, for the sake of clarity, will be referred to throughout this article, with its focus on World Rat Day, as simply Scabbers. 

Having been in the Weasley family for a decade, Scabbers is unfortunately yet another example of the problematic relationship the Weasleys have with their animal companions. Much like the elderly owl, Erroll, who is met with frustration and annoyance rather than compassion and kindness, Scabbers is treated with little regard. 

Fred and George make no secrets of having experimented in casting spells on him (which we see in Ron’s attempts to change Scabbers’s color to yellow while on the Hogwarts Express). 

Until Prisoner of Azkaban, Ron himself doesn’t seem to care two figs for his hand-me-down rodent. He doesn’t bat an eye at trying (and failing) to Transfigure him into a water goblet, with frightening and disastrous results, and he constantly calls Scabbers fat, stupid, and lazy.

Ron’s lack of respect and affection for his “pet” rat is in stark contrast to his best friends’ relationship with their companion animals-- Harry constantly calls Hedwig dignified and beautiful, while Hermione plies Crookshanks with compliments that he’s clever and gorgeous. 

So what gives?

Why are rats regarded as second-class animals and as “vermin” riddled with disease? Yet, on the other hand, why is it that rodents, like rats, are also sometimes considered good “starter pets” for Muggle children? 

And why are both of those depictions of rats so problematic? 

As The Protego Foundation’s tribute to rats everywhere, we’re going to take a moment to dispel four of the most commonly held myths about rats and to take a close look at if rats, or any rodents, really should be kept as “pets.”

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Myth #1: Rats are filthy, smelly, and dirty animals. 
Not so! Contrary to the images of stinky sewer-dwelling rats, rats are actually clean animals. They have the same tendency to fastidiously groom themselves as our feline companions and they spend hours every day cleaning themselves. 

Well-kept rats shouldn’t have any odor, and in fact, some rat parents have found their rodent companion’s fur has a faint perfume-like scent.

Rats can also be “potty trained” to toilet in tiny rat-sized litter pans in specific spots. 


Myth #2: Rats are dumb and lazy. 
UGH. No, no, no. Rats are highly intelligent and physically active creatures. Multiple studies have found that rats are actually one of the most intelligent species on the planet and rank among the likes of elephants, dogs, and chimpanzees. 

A Ph.D. study conducted by Dr. Ben Vermaercke at KU Leuven University in Belgium found that: “Even though the rat brain is smaller and less complex than the human brain. . . the two are remarkably similar in structure and function. Both consist of a vast amount of highly connected neurons that are constantly talking to each other.”

Rats are also quick learners. They know and respond to their names, they understand cause and effect, and they only need to travel a route once before they memorize it! Many rats also enjoy enrichment activities like running obstacle courses and solving food puzzles.

Myth #3: Rats are dull and solitary. 
Uh… in what world?! Rats are actually highly social creatures who readily form strong bonds and friendships with other rats and humans alike. They thrive in same-sex pairs with other rats, and when they’re with humans, they’ll readily welcome them into their “rat pack”! 

Rats have also been directly impacted by the emotions of other rats and will free them from cages and take care of them when they’re sick or injured. 

And contrary to Ron’s assertion that Scabbers is dull, rats are very curious, alert, and high-spirited creatures who are always ready to explore everything around them. 

Myth #4: Rats are mean and vicious. 
Absolutely not! Get those images of finger-gnawing, red-eyed, rabid rats out of your head. Rats are highly affectionate, playful, and energetic animals. Male rats are especially known for their cuddly nature. 

Rats also show empathy and feel loneliness, regret, and sadness, much like humans. If a rat is separated from their rodent friends or their favorite human, they mourn that loss and display grief and depression.

These pocket-sized critters are highly emotional, sensitive, and gentle creatures. 
They enjoy being physically close to their loved ones and often groom, cuddle, and even give their favorite human and rat friends kisses. They also laugh when tickled and when they’re happy. ​

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So what about keeping rats as “pets”? 

Heading out to a pet shop to purchase a rat as a birthday or holiday gift may seem like a kind gesture, especially if the recipient is an animal lover. 

But giving any living creature away as a gift comes with a host of problems. 

Animals are thinking, feeling, sentient beings who have wants and needs just like we do. In many cases, when animals like rats are bought to be given away as gifts, they aren’t always put in such a good position. Often, their needs aren’t met, and as a result, their quality of life suffers. 

Just because rats and other rodents (like rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters) are small and cute, it’s often (wrongfully) assumed that they’re easy to take care of and are very low-maintenance. Whereas the reality is, rats and other rodents often require as much care, if not more, than our canine and feline companions.

​Here are a few reasons why it isn’t such a good idea to purchase a rat as a gift, especially for children. ​

#1 Buying Rats Supports Animal Cruelty 
While it may seem like you’re doing a good thing by buying a rat from a pet store, the reality is much darker and more complicated. 

For every rat that is bought from a pet store, you can be sure another will soon take his or her place. 

Rats and other rodents are often purchased from dangerously unregulated and inhumane mass-breeding facilities. This is because rats aren’t given any protection from the Animal Welfare Act.  When you spend your dollars buying rats from pet stores, you directly support these cruel industries and enable them to continue. 

If you’re set on saving a rat, then seek out animal shelters, sanctuaries, and nonprofit rescues where you can adopt a rat who needs a home. By doing this, you instead give financial support to groups that are rescuing rats in need, and you aren’t taking part in the cruel cycle of mass rat breeding. ​

#2 Rats Have Special Dietary Needs
Just because rats are omnivores, that doesn’t mean they can eat whatever is placed in front of them. Rats and their rodent brethren have distinct dietary needs. They need vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and essential nutrients, just like we do. 

Rats need a balanced diet that includes specially formulated high-protein rat pellets and fresh fruits and vegetables, like broccoli, romaine lettuce, and apples (with their seeds removed). Rats can also have small amounts of seeds, nuts, and grains, like raw unsalted sunflower seeds, almonds, and dry oats. Many foods are toxic to rats. Peanuts, avocados, and citrus fruits are just a few. 

And unfortunately, when rats are gifted to Muggle children for their birthday or the holidays, their dietary needs often aren’t met.

Without proper food and fresh water, rats can suffer from dehydration, anemia, and other serious nutritional deficiencies that could end in early death. ​

#3 Rats Have Specific Health Needs 
It’s often tough to get proper veterinarian care for rats and other rodents. These animals are often considered “exotic,” so you can’t seek medical help from general veterinarians like you could with a cat or dog. 

Although rats typically only live for 2 to 3 years, they can still develop serious health issues, like respiratory problems, tumors, and even heart disease. Rats are physically extremely delicate creatures. If they’re picked up improperly or dropped, rats can easily break or fracture bones, injure their spine, and even rupture organs like their liver or kidneys. 

On top of that, rats require a lot of regular care. For one, their teeth never stop growing. If rats don’t have access to rat-safe items, like wooden blocks, to chew on and file their teeth down, their teeth are at risk of growing too long for them to be able to eat and function properly. ​

#4 Rats keep different hours than humans
Unlike our companion cats and dogs, rats are active at specific windows of time: a half-hour before sunrise and a half-hour after sunset. Rats are nocturnal animals, so it could be challenging to give them the interaction they deserve, especially if their human caretaker is a young child. 

This could deprive rats of much-needed playtime and the ability to engage in natural behaviors, leading to stress and frustration. 

This isn’t ideal for children either, since their waking hours are often when rats are getting their much-needed sleep. Disrupting them and depriving them of their rest (rats can sleep for as much as 15 hours a day) could cause health problems and, again, cause rats’ stress levels to skyrocket. 

#5 Rats Have Distinct Social and Emotional Needs 
Rats thrive when they have at least one other rat buddy! But don’t think simply having two rats is enough to keep these bright and energetic animals entertained. 

Rats aren’t the kind of animal you buy, only to leave locked in a small cage, alone for hours, days, and weeks on end. Rats are highly social creatures who need both same-species interaction and enrichment. They need physical touch and an intellectually stimulating environment where they can run, play, and explore.

Unfortunately, when rats are given as gifts to young children, they’re often kept in cages or hutches that are WAY too small and cramped and lack the proper toys and environmental enrichment, like exercise wheels, tubes, and tunnels to run through. 

Rats need plenty of (supervised) time outside of their cage too. They are very physically active and energetic animals who need to be mentally stimulated. A lot of that comes from them being able to engage in their natural behaviors, like climbing and exploring the space around them. 

“Pet” rats are often deprived of this and kept confined in small cages in childrens’ bedrooms, where they become essentially just another “window dressing,” or in chilly, drafty areas like basements or garages. In some cases, caged rats are also kept outdoors, where they’re exposed to frost, wind, snow, and rain.

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Here at The Protego Foundation, we believe in speaking out and advocating for compassion, respect, and consideration for all animals, regardless of size, species, or magical ability-- including clever, curious, and affectionate rats! 

We entirely support adopting a rat companion, not shopping for one from a pet shop. There are so many companion rats out there who could use a loving person to care for them. Welcoming a companion rat into your life is a beautiful thing if you’re able to meet their needs, treat them with kindness, and give them ample opportunities to be the rat they were born to be! 

So, what are your thoughts? Had you bought into any of the myths about rats before you read this? What are your opinions about rats as companion animals? 

Let us know in a comment below or by tagging us on social! 



Written by Victoria Tomis. ​

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