Rats are great pets for those who want a furry friend but may not have enough space for a dog or cat. Domestic rats in particular can be friendly, calm, and can bond emotionally with their owners.

The earliest documented evidence of domesticated rats originates from Japan and dates back to the Edo period (1603 to 1868). The tradition of keeping fancy rats may have originated in Japan, but pet ...

They are gentle and affectionate. They know their name, come when called and love to play. They are fastidious groomers and can learn to do tricks. They make great pets. What are they? They’re rats.

Dear Dr. Jorden: I have a great menagerie of animals as pets. I would like to get a pet rat or two, but someone told me that it was illegal to own rats. Is that true? I called the Billings Animal ...

Jeannie Lockwood lives in Spuyten Duyvil, and for over a decade, she's been owning and fostering rats. She says rats are smart, fun and great for apartment living. She calls them the perfect pets.

When Abby Chronister started college six years ago, she found herself struggling with anxiety and depression. After class, she often retreated to her bed. That’s when she adopted her first two rats, ...