If there’s one thing that rats and mice share, it’s their cuteness. They also have similar physical features, such as huge ears, a pointy nose, and a long tail. These aspects aside, mice and rats have hugely different personalities and care needs. Rats are more interactive, while mice are easier to care for. If you want to know more about domestic mice and rats, dive in to discover which is a better pet.
There Are Pros and Cons to Each Pet
Mice and rats are rewarding, low-maintenance rodents to keep as pets, and they provide hours of joy and entertainment. But they have different care needs, so you must choose one depending on your situation. Some people prefer mice over rats in the same way that some people like cats over dogs, and ultimately, it’s down to personal preference. Before taking on any pet, you must be able to commit enough time to it and accommodate its care needs.
Rats and mice are rodents, but the most evident difference between them is their size. Mice are smaller than rats and are generally shy and less interactive. They aren’t the best choice for first-time pet owners because they can be skittish and aggressive. Rats are super sociable with huge personalities and benefit from regular human interaction. The downsides to pet rats are that they need lots of space and need more attention.
The Benefits of Keeping Pet Rats
There are many benefits to keeping pet rats, and one reason they are so popular is that they love interacting with humans. They are sociable, super intelligent, and love learning tricks. You can even litter-train them!
Here are some of the main reasons why rats make fantastic pets:
1. Rats are easy to handle because they’re larger and less skittish than mice. They can be skittish, however, if you don’t socialize them from a young age.
2. Rats are generally cleaner than mice, and you can teach them how to use a litter box. But, because of their size, they produce more waste.
3. You can teach rats tricks. They are super intelligent and love mental stimulation and human interaction. They can even learn tricks.
4. Rats are better for children and beginners. They are more robust than mice, making them an easy pet for kids and first-time owners.
5. Rats are more suitable for community living. Rats are a good choice if you have other animals in the household. Rats can form bonds with other domestic animals, including dogs!
The Downsides of Pet Rats
The downside of pet rats is that they are more time-consuming than mice. They also have more complex care needs and require more space. Here are some essential things to consider before getting a pet rat:
1. Rats need lots of mental stimulation and interaction. They are super intelligent, need a stimulating environment, and you must interact with them daily. You must load their cage with accessories and be creative with environmental enrichment. They need lots of toys, climbing frames, and hiding places.
2. Rats need more space. They are large and need more space than mice. They need a substantial cage and benefit from roaming free in the house.
3. Rats are more time-consuming, and you must spend plenty of time interacting with them to keep them entertained. It also takes more time to clean and maintain a rat cage due to its size and multiple accessories.
4. Rats are noisy. Mice and rats are nocturnal and can be loud at night, but rats are generally noisier because they are heftier. You may have to keep them in a separate room, so they don’t disturb your sleep.
The Benefits of Keeping Mice as Pets
The benefits of keeping mice as pets are that they are more independent than rats and have less complex care needs. They are also less time-consuming and take up less space. Their tiny size also makes them a little bit cuter.
Here are some of the main reasons why mice are a popular pet to own:
1. Mice don’t need much space. They are substantially smaller than rats, so they thrive in a smaller environment. Mice are a good choice if you have limited space.
2. Mice are budget friendly. It costs less to set up a mouse enclosure because it’s smaller and doesn’t need many accessories. They are also economical animals to buy.
3. Mice have simple care needs and are less demanding than rats because you don’t need to interact with them as much. They also have a smaller cage, which is easier to clean and maintain.
4. Mice have a short lifespan, making them less of an overall time commitment than pet rats. Mice are among the pets with the shortest lifespans, usually less than three years.
The Downsides of Pet Mice
The downside of pet mice is that they aren’t ideal for first-time pet keepers or small children. They can be shy and skittish and may bite if they feel threatened. Here are some crucial things to consider before getting a mouse as a pet:
1. Mice are small and delicate. You must be careful when handling them. They are also super fast and agile and can easily escape.
2. Mice aren’t very interactive. Mice generally don’t enjoy being handled and are usually wary of humans, but some form bonds with their owners.
3. Mice are more aggressive and territorial. They can fear humans and are more likely to bite. Males are also territorial, and you can’t keep more than one male in an enclosure. Most mouse owners keep female-only groups.
4. Mice have more health problems. Overall, mice have more health problems than rats and may need more visits to the vet.
5. Mice aren’t suitable for beginners. They are more suited to experienced owners for the above reasons.
