Is a Rat or a Mouse the Best Pet for My Family?
Are you thinking of adding a small animal to the family? Congratulations! Rodents and other small, furry friends are often overlooked in a pet industry that focuses on cats and dogs – but they can be amazing companions!
Now that you’ve decided to welcome a new pet into the home, it’s time to determine what pet is the right fit for your household. For some, this is easy. If you have fallen in love with a specific pet, you likely already have your mind made up. If you haven’t decided, we’re here to help.
Two pets that are often lumped together (mistakenly) are rats and mice. While both are intelligent, social, and surprisingly clean animals, there are some significant differences.
Keep reading to learn more about owning a rat or a mouse as a pet, including a comparison of key factors like lifespan, personality, and care requirements. By the end, you’ll have the information needed to confidently choose the perfect pet for your family.
Is a Rodent Right for You?
Before digging into the details of these two adorable options, the first question you need to consider is whether any rodent is the right pet for you. While dogs and cats are the most popular pets, rodents have been gaining popularity.
These pocket-sized pets are generally more affordable to care for and require smaller living spaces, although this could vary depending on which rodent you choose. Many rodents are surprisingly social, allowing you to enjoy that human/animal bond while still making it easy to keep “their space” to a contained area in your home. If you are worried about the struggle of pet fur or muddy paw prints everywhere, that may be a huge win!
However, not all aspects of rodent care are considered benefits. For those with young children, handling a rodent may lead to trouble, including injuries to the rodent from being mishandled or to your child if the rodent feels unsafe, causing them to bite.
Finding a veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals and can provide your new rodent with the care they require can be challenging. I recommend contacting local veterinarians and veterinary hospitals to make sure that you have someone available in your community who can provide the care your pet may need.
Small animals have a shorter lifespan, allowing you to experience the joy of sharing your life with a pet without a long-term commitment. Unfortunately, that does mean dealing with the grief of losing a pet much sooner.
Ultimately, the decision of whether a rodent is the right pet for you and your family will depend on your lifestyle, individual circumstances, and personal preferences. If, after reading all this, you still believe that a rodent is the perfect choice, it’s time to consider your options…
Rats vs Mice: A Closer Look
There are many different rodents to consider when searching for your ideal pet, but two often-confused pets are rats and mice. While these furry friends do have a lot in common, there are also many differences that set them apart. Here are a few essential factors to consider when deciding on the best choice for your household:
Average Lifespan
As already mentioned, rodents, in general, do have shorter lifespans than the average dog or cat. However, there is also a difference between rats and mice. Most domesticated rats live approximately 2-4 years, but some live considerably longer than twice that. According to the Guinness World Records, the oldest rat (named Rodney) lived to be seven years and four months old.
Domesticated mice have a slightly shorter lifespan of approximately 1-3 years. This, too, can vary considerably. Guinness World Records lists the record holder of the world’s oldest mouse as a San Diego mouse named Patrick Stewart, who lived 9 years and 180 days. But this shouldn’t be considered normal, as Patrick Steward lived over 2 years longer than the former world record holder, Fritzy.
Ideal Habitat
Both rats and mice can live a long, happy life with a cage as their primary habitat, assuming the cage provides enough space. Many of the cages you will find on pet store shelves are not actually adequate for a rodent’s needs. This includes not only cages for rats and mice but also cages available for rabbits, guinea pigs, and even hamsters. It’s a common problem in the pet industry across all small animals.
The exact measurements of the ideal habitat for a mouse or rat will vary slightly from expert to expert. However, a general rule of thumb is that the minimum cage size for a mouse is 18 inches long x 12 inches wide x 12 inches high. For each additional mouse, add ½ square foot to the total floor area. You must also pay close attention to the width of the cage bars, as mice are skilled at slipping through even the smallest spaces.
The space required to keep a rat is larger, which may need to be factored into your decision. The recommended minimum cage size for a single rat is 20 inches long x 14 inches wide x 24 inches high. You should add one square food to the floor area for each additional rat.
Both species need plenty of tunnels, tubes, branches, and hideaways. They are prey animals, always needing to be alert and stay safe in the wild. While it’s true that no one is hunting your new pet in their cage, you still need to provide them with several hiding spaces to feel safe and secure. These structures also offer much-needed mental enrichment.
Rats and mice also need items they can chew on, like mineral blocks or wooden structures, to keep their teeth from becoming overgrown.
Many of the cheaper and more commonly used wood shavings for bedding are unsafe for your rodent. Improperly dried pine shavings and cedar expose them to toxic dust and odors that can lead to severe or life-threatening upper respiratory infections. They have very sensitive respiratory systems, making them highly susceptible to issues.
Both rats and mice will thrive with an absorbent, chemical-free soft paper bedding like Kaytee Clean & Cozy White Paper Bedding. You can also mix in some aspen shavings to make tunneling easier. The bedding should be at least 6 inches thick across the bottom of their habitat.
Cleanliness
As mentioned, rats and mice are surprisingly clean pets. They self-groom, like dogs and cats. However, there are still some important points to consider when it comes to the cleanliness of your new pet and their space.
Mice are known to have a distinct musky smell, especially male mice. Staying on top of cleaning their cage will reduce the smell, but it won’t entirely go away. Ensure you are comfortable with this odor in your home before committing to adding mice to the family.
Both rodents will choose a corner of their habitat as their bathroom spot. This spot will need to be scooped and cleaned daily. A complete cleaning of the cage should be done once a week. Avoid harsh cleaners as they can be hazardous to their delicate respiratory systems.
If you opt to adopt a rat, they can be litter-trained, much like a cat. This will make cleanup even easier.
Diet/Feeding
Whether you bring a mouse or a rat into your home, keeping your new pet healthy with a high-quality and balanced diet is easy. Many commercial foods are available, each formulated with all their needs in mind. This includes pellet foods, rodent blocks, and mixed diets.
You can supplement your rodent’s food with fresh fruits and vegetables. Mice can also enjoy plenty of treats. But be cautious if you adopt a rat; they are prone to obesity, and any treats should be offered in moderation.
Temperament
One of the bigger differences to consider when deciding between a mouse or a rat for a pet is their temperament. While both rodents are generally tame if bred responsibly, mice are far more independent and self-sufficient. They can be tamed enough to be handled or stroked, but they are just as happy spending their time in their habitat with other mice for companionship.
Rats are highly social animals, creating close bonds with other rats and with their people. In fact, for a rat to live a happy and fulfilled life, they need to spend at least one hour each day outside their cage, interacting with their people. Many experts compare rats to dogs because of their friendly and affectionate personalities. They can even be trained to perform tricks if you are willing to invest the time and effort.
This difference in need for social time should be seriously considered when choosing the best fit for your lifestyle. If you have a hectic schedule and are going to be away from home a lot, mice can continue to thrive, while a rat would feel the impact of not having that quality time with you.
Like most rodents, rats and mice are nocturnal. Being more active during the night hours may create noise when you’re trying to sleep. Plus, this limits the time you’re both awake to enjoy time together. However, rats have been known to adjust to their owner’s schedule over time. This means they are likely going to alter their natural schedule to be active when you’re active.
A rat will be the better option if you have children in the home and are looking for a child-friendly pet. Not only are they larger, making them easier to handle for little hands, but they are also calmer and generally more comfortable with these interactions. Mice are nervous, which may cause them to bite or get spooked and try to run. Dropping a mouse, even from the height of a short child, could cause serious injuries.
Two or More
Speaking of companionship, experts recommend adopting pairs or groups of three rodents. However, you need to be intentional with the pairings you choose.
Female mice do well in same-sex pairs and groups or with fixed males. Unaltered male mice will often fight with one another. Fixing them may fix that problem, but not always. Monitor your mice to see if they are coexisting happily. Male mice sometimes break the general rule and are happiest living independently.
Rats also need socialization and companionship, with males being far more likely to get along than male mice. If you are pairing males and females together, ensure they are fixed to avoid unwanted litters.
While adopting rodents in pairs will meet their needs, you may find it best to adopt a trio long-term. This means they will all have time to bond and form relationships. When one of your rodents passes, they will still have their remaining companion.
Rat or Mouse? Which Pet is the Best Fit for You?
Rats and mice may look similar at first glance, but these two rodents possess distinct personalities and characteristics that could significantly impact your experience as a pet parent. Carefully considering essential factors, like space requirements, temperament, trainability, and dietary needs, will help you determine which pet will be the perfect fit for your family.
Make sure to consider not only your preferences but also your lifestyle. Whether you have a hectic schedule that keeps you away from the house often or share your home with young children, these are key considerations that should influence your decision.
Regardless of your decision, I recommend starting your search by contacting your local shelters and rescue organizations. Rodents sold through pet stores usually come from mass breeders, significantly increasing the risk of behavioral issues and disease. There are many adorable and loving pets waiting for their forever home.
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Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Lucifer and Willow – and their 3 cats – Pippen, Jinx, and Theia. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.
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