This is a common worry for many people and the good news is that pet rats are actually quite clean animals. While wild rats do carry diseases, this is mainly because they hang around in sewers and they pick up mites and fleas along the way. Pet rats on the other hand are born and raised in the home, and they do not carry any form of disease.

Pet rats are also well known for their cleanliness and while they do have a natural odour, they are always cleaning themselves. Some even like to have a little bowl of water which they can use to wash themselves in. Male rats generally smell worse than female ones but cleaning them out regularly will stop this.

There will always be a certain stigma attached to the pet rat but overall they are extremely intelligent, clean and friendly animals and they do make really good children's pets.

 Rats make excellent companions. They are wonderful animals and highly intelligent.
If a rat is kept in clean conditions and has adequate housing and is well looked after you will have no problems. It is an old wives tale that rats are dirty animals. Very few animals are dirty by nature and it's up to those who choose to keep animals as pets to ensure that they are cleaned out regularly and have good care.

If you are unsure as to whether or not you can give the animal the care it needs or are unsure that you can cope with a rat don't keep one. I rescued a pet rat who had been neglected and she was the most delightful companion - she even got on well with my dogs!
Given the proper care they make lovely pets.

 Don't worry-Rats do NOT spread disease and they are not dirty. It is perfectly safe to keep them in the house. Rats have a reputation for being dirty and diseased because of the Bubonic Plague- but during the bubonic Plaugue, disease was actually spread by fleas- not rats as is commonly believed. So rats do not spread disease and are not dirty. It is a legend.

Having a pet rat will also be great fun and extremely enjoyable.The little creatures are very intelligent and can become great friends with you. You can teach them lots of cool tricks and they can play some games with you.They are wonderful pets. Just make sure your child cares for the rat properly, which is not very difficult.

 Contrary to popular belief, rats are porbably one of the, if not, the cleanest rodent. They make excellent pets for children as they are easy to hold, very friendlly and rarely bite. I have never been bitten by any of my pet rats. Make sure that you handle the rat at the pet shop to get abasic idea of its temperment, for younger children chose a rat that is laid back and not too jumpy, and older children may prefer a rat with a bit more curiousity.

 I don't think that I'd get a rat for a child under 12. Rats are intelligent animals that require lots of careful handling and attention. That they should be bought in pairs for companionship would only add to the responsibility.

Aside from the responsibility required, rats are absolutely awesome pets. Even the responsibility parts can be fun! My rats love to take baths and run around in the water so even cleaning time isn't really much of a chore. This definitely doesn't go for all rats but purchasing a same sex pair from a reputable breeder that has handled the little guys from birth will ensure some inquisitive, intelligent, sociable and gentle pets.

 Rats make very good pets . They are very friendly and gentle with gentle children. Find a breeder though and get a female as the male have a musky Oder. You can ever get a fancy rat.

 Rats are really good pets. They are clean overall (Ours throw poo and bedding outside the cage and stink but do not spread disease. I think our rats just have a bad habit.) they are friendly, and cute! You may be thinking of wild rats. There are special fancy rats bred for being pets.

 I say get him one that has a shot disease