I know it might sound crazy but my favorite pets in the whole world are my pet ratties! And I'm not alone in that feeling. Did you know that pet rats are the number one small pet in the country? It's true. There are hundreds of ratteries across the U.S. and the around the world raising these little bundles of fun fur.

They've been showing rats in England for over a 100 years. They've been showing them in California since the 1960's and that phenomena is spreading eastward across the United States.

They are currently holding rats shows in Chicago and soon they will be showing them in Detroit Michigan and New York City too!

I know you must be asking, "Why on earth would you want a rodent for a pet, yek?" The answer is: They are smart, warm, fuzzy, cuddly, loving, affectionate, playful, adventurous, monkey minded, need I say more? They will get you to smile and you’re guaranteed a good laugh at some of the crazy stuff they get themselves into. They are just as curious as a pet cat.

They will give you kisses and baths, and clean out your fingernails with better precision that any nail file. They are so curious, they will stick there noses in your ears, up your nose and into your mouth.

They love sharing some warm milk perched on the rim of your cup. They learn their names and come when you call them. They can learn many kinds of tricks, but I just love them because they love me and show it by spending hours just sitting on my shoulder or tucked inside the layers of my shirt. They love going wherever I go and just spending time in my company. They make me feel special, wanted and needed. Now how many humans do you know that can do all that? :>)

I've been raising and running a rattery in Michigan for seven years now. The name of my rattery is Rat Dippity Rattery and I am on the net. On my web site you can see pictures of all my fur kids.  I've raised over 600 of my little fur friends. I get so much enjoyment from raising and promoting what great companion animals they are.

My ratties are pedigreed. Yes, you heard that right, PEDIGREED. All my little buddies are registered in a national registry. I have special database software that's just for keeping track of ratties. I keep records of health and temperament and do selective breedings to try and improve pet ratties, making them sweeter and healthier and helping them to live longer.

Most people who raise pedigreed ratties call them "fancy rats" because they are not like their wild counterparts. They are very friendly and loving toward their human companions.

Pet fancy rats come in many colors and markings, including Siamese and Dalmatians. Some have curly fur and whiskers and are known as rex rats. Some have big dumbo ears that look so cute.

There are ratties without tails, known as manx and even ratties without fur, known as hairless. There are shades of blues and fawn a virtual rainbow of colors and special markings such as capped, bareback, hooded, variegated, banded, Berkshire, English, English Irish and down-unders. There are ratties with pink, red, ruby and black eyes and even ratties known as "odd-eyed" with a black and red eye.

Many people don't like ratties because they chew things or they think they are dirty. Did you know that ratties have to chew on things? They can't help it. They aren’t purposefully being destructive like some people think. Their teeth keep growing all of their lives. If they didn't chew on things their teeth would get too long and they wouldn't be able to eat and would die. The key is giving them things they are allowed to chew on, that way they don't do damage to things you don't want them to.

Ratties are as clean as a pet cat! Yes that is right, believe it or not. They clean themselves all over just like a cat does, but the good thing about ratties is people who have allergies to the dander in cats fur, aren't normally allergic to ratties fur, so that makes them a good alternative pet to a cat. And pet ratties don't have the detached personalities like a cat does. Ratties want to be where you are, doing what you are doing, into your business, lol!

Many people don't like ratties because of their tails, but I love rattie tails. They are warm and have little hairs all over their tails. Their tails are very useful to them, they help them regulate their body temperature, help them keep their balance and even express their moods. Their tails are very "expressive." They will curl their tails into a circle when they are curious about something and even tap them quickly if upset, or move them back and forth. Many times a loving rattie will even wrap the end of their tails around your finger to try and hold your hand!

Did you know ratties are ticklish and even laugh? If you kiss their bellies you can heard them make a giggling sound with special high frequency sound equipment!

I was even able to teach one of my ratties to say "Hi" to me. I would say, "Hi" in a high pitched squeaky voice and they would let out a little squeak in return trying to duplicate the sound I was making.  :>) They are just so cool!

My pet ratties will wrap their little paws/hands  around my ankles until I pick them up to hold them. Ratties don't have thumbs but their hands look very much like our own and so do their feet. They are like tiny little children and they are able to form as close of a bond with a human as a pet dog is.

So you can see why this small little fur friend is becoming so popular and more and more people are getting them as pets.

I've written many articles about ratties and rattie temperament and health. I specialize in rattie behavior. I give educational presentations at local libraries, clubs and elementary classrooms, trying to educate the public about what a good pet choice they make. I'm also in the process of working in my local area to see about getting them added to the "pocket pet" divison of the 4H program and judging them on overall health/care and /temperament/friendliness, as I'm a trained show judge.

Other reasons they make a good pet choice are: It doesn't cost an arm and a leg to buy housing for them. They will do a better job cleaning up left-overs than a dog will, as they will eat their fruits and vegetables! They don't need licenses or shots like a cat and dog do. They don't make bothersome noises like a cat and dog do. You don't need to trim their toe nails like a cat or dog. They only grow so long and they aren't that sharp. Normal exercise and climbing keeps them trim.

So next time you're thinking of getting a new household pet, why not give a little pet rattie a try.

Ratties love to sleep in warm cozy hammocks. I have a nice selection of hammocks for ratties that I custom make. They are also good for many other pets, like hamsters, gerbils, and ferrets. You can find them in my Ebay store. If you put "Pet Rat Hammocks" or "Ferret Hammocks" into the search box, or search in the small animal category you will find them. Or visit my store. The name of my store is: Kat’s Crafts and Pet Hammocks.

I hope you enjoyed my guide about what great pets ratties are.