Rats are intelligent social animals whose welfare needs as companion animals are frequently underestimated, with solitary housing and barren cages being particularly common welfare failures.
Pet rat welfare is compromised by both the perception of rats as low-maintenance starter pets and the prevalence of inadequate caging sold specifically for them. Rats need companions, space, enrichment and daily interaction that few owners provide based on retail guidance. Respiratory disease from mycoplasmosis affects almost all pet rats and requires veterinary attention that many owners do not seek for small companion animals. The short lifespan of rats means that poor welfare has immediate consequences — a rat in a barren cage spending two years in inadequate conditions has spent most of its life deprived. Better retail education, minimum cage standards and support for rat welfare communities would improve outcomes substantially.