Through selective breeding, there are many varieties of rats with varied colors, temperaments and disease resistance. Rats as Pets Domestic rats can make great pets, if handled gently. They are quiet, clean, and easily trained. They are omnivores, usually nocturnal and burrowers. They will often escape their cages but, usually return to them.
Humans can develop allergies to rat dander and urine.
Housing Rats can be kept in cages made of wire or plastic. The wire is usually a special rat mesh to prevent broken limbs and escape. Bedding can consist of shaving, sawdust, paper, wood chips or ground corn cobs but the softer, dust-free bedding id preferred. Rats do like to burrow, so the bedding should be deep enough to allow this. Rats are social and do best in group situations, they are not highly territorial and several males and females can be kept in a spacious cage together.