So I caught what I thought was a mouse this morning...

[blur256]

He was hanging out in our heating vents. I let him outside and as soon as I did the neighborhood cat started stalking him. So I ran outside to move him. It took awhile but I got him in a box. He was so scared so I brought him back inside for my wife to see. We got to looking at him and asked some knowledgeable friends and it looks like he is actually a rat. A pet rat that someone probably got for Christmas and didn't want. Ugh people.
But he is super sweet and he is currently asleep in my wife's arms. He is a baby obviously. Looks like we have a new pet! Any tips? We have mice but apparently rats are very smart and can be trained.

[samnsara]

1. what color is it? I have had pet rats for years! started on in college when....

..I had to inject black hooded rats for an experiment. I felt SO BAD I asked my prof if I could take one home. He very reluctantly said yes. She was a great pet!!!! they are so smart and so clean. Lucky you.. I miss Buffy all the time.

she knew her name.. she would sit on my shoulder when I did dishes.. she would greet ppl at the door..she slept with my young dtr at nite.. she pooped in a poop box we set up.. she would steal food off our plates and hop across the floor with it.. she chased my friends yellow lab out of the house. They are wonderful but have a life span of only about 18 months.. NOT long enough for the pleasure they give us.

[blur256]

2. It's brownish gray with white paws

I'm trying to figure out how to post a pic

[Rhiannon12866]

19. Awwww! I brought my hooded rat from Experimental Psych home with me, too!

He was very smart and a cute pet, though it took him awhile to calm down from living in a lab.

[Uben]

3. Rats are dangerous!

You may not wanna hear this, but you need to check and make sure the rat doesn't have a blonde horsehair combover. These are the most dangerous! They wont stop until they have ruined every aspect of your life! And, they have a tendency to surround themselves with more rats, so be careful!

[blur256]

4. Lol

Good point!

[dhol82]

5. Here's everything you ever wanted to know about rats.

Hope you can figure out what kind you have.

https://www.domyown.com/all-about-rats-c-21_577.html

[blur256]

6. Thank You!

One of our friends who used to breed rats said it was a Norwegian something. Can't remember what now. But it definitely isn't wild.

[akraven]

7. Rats are fairly cool.

This link may help: https://www.wikihow.com/Care-for-a-Pet-Rat

[blur256]

8. Thank You!

[akraven]

9. As my daughter said forever after the first Star Wars -

You're a Wookie! (You're welcome.)

[Cattledog]

10. I doubt it is a "pet" rat.

Baby rats just don't end up in someones heating vent. You may have an intrusion and a liter awaiting you.

[blur256]

11. Well in this case

I really think it is. We have neighbors with a ton of kids that they don't really take care of. It's totally possible. And a wild rat wouldn't be this tame.

[handmade34]

12. rats do make good pets...

and my kids always had pet mice...

[blur256]

13. We have mice too

We love them. But this guy is something... He is sleeping in wife's jacket right now. Just loving life.

[japple]

14. This is one of my favorite videos. These rats are just awesome!

[blur256]

15. Aw I love it!

Raven looks like our new little guy.

[Judi Lynn]

16. Found this link: Rats as Pets

By Lianne McLeod, DVM Updated 11/01/18

Rats are intelligent and social animals that can make wonderful pets. They are also easily tamed, making rats especially great for someone who likes to handle their pets.

Pet Rat Facts

Average lifespan of a pet rat is two to three years.

Most pet rats are actually a type of rat called a Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus). Other names for a Norway rat are common rat, brown rat, street rat, sewer rat, Hanover rat, Norwegian rat, or wharf rat.

A Norway rat body is typically nine to eleven inches long. Their tail is an additional seven to nine inches long.

Rats have a wide range of markings as well as breed varieties, including standard/smooth, rex, hairless, and tailless.
Rats are nocturnal so they will be most active at night.

Rats are social creatures so they do best if kept with another rat or a group of rats.

Male rats are called bucks, females are does, and babies are pups.

As a rule, males are larger, somewhat lazier than females, and have a coarser coat. Females are smaller and tend to be more active and playful than males.

Rats reach puberty very young at six to eight weeks of age. They shouldn't be bred this young though, so make sure males and females are separated before they reach this age.

Females go into heat for about 24 hours every four or five days once they reach puberty and may seem agitated or restless during this time. This is why it is so easy to breed rats.

More:
https://www.thesprucepets.com/pet-rats-1236745