This is Clint

Clint is a pet rat belonging to our youngest daughter. This household has seen many pets over the years. Some were bought from the pet shop and many others were waifs and strays that were brought into our home.

Of all the animals we have kept over the years, I would say that rats make the best pets, particularly for children. They are easy to care for, calm, gentle, and affectionate creatures. They are also highly intelligent, though I will admit I have never seen one reading a newspaper.

This is clint

Here is a picture of Clint having a little rest from a tiring day of resting. He is getting rather old and has been a little sad since he lost his best pal. We make a fuss of him whenever we can, so that he doesn't get too lonely. He loves to be held and stroked, particularly behind the ears. The rest of the time he tends to... well rest. We all love Clint.

Some of the animals we have kept in our home and garden

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier, found abandoned in the woods. Two cats, several generations of rabbit, a guinea pig who thought he was a rabbit, gerbils, hamsters, a mini hedgehog, a ferret, a convalescing pigeon, magpies, fancy mice, giant African snails, racing pigeons, hens, pond fish, indoor fish, and more.

We have had many pets over the years but, these days, we have only Clint and the family cat, another expert at rest and relaxation. Elf, the cat, was rehomed from a local animal rescue centre. She was at first unfriendly but now often likes to curl up on a lap, and purrs loudly when she sneaks up on to someone's bed. Our eldest daughter and her partner have a dog that shares her home in Kent. She also used to keep rats and there are many stories to tell of her rodenty friends' ratty adventures. Perhaps I will tell them one day.

Rats are sociable animals and, in the wild, they live in extended families. If you are going to keep pet rats, you will need two or three to keep together. You also need to make sure their cage is big enough to allow them plenty of run-around space. Just like Clint when he was younger, rats love to run and climb and play... not to mention fighting. They soon settle down to an established 'pecking order' and are more often affectionate with each but, like all siblings, are also prone to squabbling.

Cleanliness is very important to rats and so you must help them by cleaning out their litter and bedding at least once every week or two. If you don't you will soon find the smell overpowering. Just as you would if you didn't empty your own toilet and change your own bedding regularly. You will often see them grooming themselves and grooming each other. Which is one reason why they like to be handled and stroked. If you do this often, they will think of you as one of their family.

Although pet rats are omnivorous, will eat pretty much anything, it is best to give them good quality pet rat food, which provides the best nutritional balance. You can also give them treats as long as you don't overdo it. Clint is very partial to a bit of cheese, and is particularly keen on Parmesan and other strong-flavour cheeses. Rats also love fruit, nuts and the occasional piece of meat or bone to gnaw on. Although they have a varied diet, you will be surprised at how fussy they can be with food. If you give your pet rats a bowl of mixed seed, they will pick out the seeds they like the most and shun those they are not tempted by.

As I child, I never had pets and was initially uneasy about bringing animals into our home. Over more than 30 years, however, I have grown to love the animals we have kept and have shared the children's grief when they have died and, when the children were younger, had elaborate funeral services for them. There must be dozens of beloved pets beneath our flower beds now. To me, this is one of the many benefits of children having pets. When encouraged, they can learn caring skills, nurturing, responsibility, organising and planning, and they can learn about grief too. A valuable lesson for when they lose a loved one, which might otherwise come as a sudden and disturbing shock.

If you are a parent or carer of children, you might one day be asked for a pet, if you haven't already. Small mammals, like gerbils or hamsters, might seem an attractive, manageable option, but they are not particularly interesting animals to keep, once the initial excitement wears off. I know many people have loved to keep little pets like this but, to me, rats are much more interesting to watch and to play with, much more responsive to interaction and, dare I say it, behave in quite a human and endearing way. Perhaps you want to considering getting rats for yourself?

Update

Clint passed away, peacefully at home, on August 14, 2025 at the advanced age of four years. Reunited with his brother.