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 ...

These have short, smooth, and glossy coats, although the males may have a coarser coat than the females. In general, they are easy to look after and have no special dietary or medical needs. You can ...

When most people think of animal shelters, dogs and cats come to mind. But at many shelters, including Marin Humane, there are lots of other critters looking for their forever homes. One of the more ...

Maybe a rat is right for you! Kelli Bender is the Pets Editor at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2013. Her work has previously appeared on MTV, The Frisky, Vice, and Best Friends Magazine ...

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, ...

Imagine a child’s first pet — something to call their own that’s easy to talk to, play with, and be their best friend. If you thought of a dog or cat, try again: A rat is a kid’s perfect companion. A ...

Marshmallow was one of my pet rats who unfortunately has since passed away. In the Chinese calendar, 2020 is the Year of the Rat, and today, April 4, is “World Rat Day,” so what better day to ...