Why Do Rats Make So Much Noise? (What Their Sounds Mean

Black rat next to a large rock

If you’ve ever lived with pet rats or dealt with wild rats in your home, you know they can be surprisingly noisy. Between the squeaking, scratching, chewing, and rustling, rats create a constant soundtrack of sound. For such small animals, the amount of noise they make can be shocking. So why do rats make so … Read more

Why Do Rats Make a Clicking Noise? (Stress vs. Relaxation

Brown Rat in a brown box

Rat owners often notice strange clicking sounds coming from their pets. These clicks can be rapid or slow, loud or barely audible. The clicking can happen during different activities, and figuring out what it means can be confusing. So why do rats make a clicking noise? Rats make clicking noises for two main reasons. Happy … Read more

Why Do Rats Laugh When Tickled? (Jaak Panksepp’s Study

Black rat in a tree 0

Scientists have discovered something amazing about rats that most people never knew. When you tickle a rat in just the right spots, they make high-pitched chirping sounds that are similar to laughter. It sounds bizarre, but research has proven it’s real. So why do rats laugh when tickled? Rats laugh when tickled because tickling triggers … Read more

Why Do Rats Like Water So Much? (Why They Seek It Often

Brown Rat on the ground next to a pond

Most people picture rats as sewer-dwelling creatures that just tolerate water out of necessity. But if you’ve ever watched rats around water, you might’ve noticed something surprising. Many rats actually seem to enjoy it. They’ll play in shallow water, groom themselves with it, and some even swim for fun. So why do rats like water? … Read more

Why Do Rats Like Chocolate? (How Their Taste Works

Brown Rat in vegetation

Rats have a reputation for eating just about anything they can get their paws on. But if you’ve ever watched a rat around chocolate, you’ll notice they go absolutely crazy for it. They’ll pick chocolate over almost any other food you offer them. So why do rats like chocolate so much? Rats like chocolate because … Read more

Why Do Rats Live and Thrive in Cities? (Life Among Humans

A group of Brown Rats drinking water

Cities are full of concrete, cars, and millions of people, yet they’re also packed with rats. In some cities, it’s estimated there are nearly as many rats as people. While most urban dwellers try hard to avoid them, rats have become permanent residents of almost every major city on Earth. You might see them scurrying … Read more

Why Do Rats Live in Sewers? (Hidden Life of City Rodents

Brown Rat next to a drain

When most people think of rats, they picture them crawling around in dark, smelly sewers. This image is everywhere in movies, cartoons, and urban legends. It’s become so common that “sewer rat” is practically a standard phrase for describing something gross or unwanted. But why are sewers such popular homes for rats in the first … Read more

Why Do My Rats Keep Sneezing? (Bedding & Dust Risks

Rat in a box with toilet paper

If you’ve noticed your rats sneezing more than usual, it can be pretty concerning. A sneeze here and there is normal, but constant sneezing usually means something is bothering them. The tricky part is figuring out whether it’s something minor that you can fix at home, or something serious that needs a vet’s attention. Rats … Read more

Why Do My Rats Keep Fighting? (Play vs. Aggression

Brown Rat on wet ground

If you have multiple rats, you’ve probably seen them wrestling and chasing each other around the cage. Sometimes it’s just playful roughhousing, but other times it can escalate into real fighting that leaves you worried about their safety. Seeing your rats go after each other can be really stressful, especially if you don’t know whether … Read more