Do not kiss, nuzzle, or hold rats close to your face. This can startle your rats and also increase your chances of being bitten. Bites can spread germs and can make you sick. You don't have to touch pet rats to get sick from their germs.
Rats can be extremely social and even like to cuddle!
They are very social and love to hang out with human family members on the couch or on peoples' shoulders or in their laps. They will even try to groom their human companions as if these people were other rats in their “rat pack.” Pet rats love the warmth and contact of their caretakers and are actually very cuddly!
Nibbling On You
If your rat nibbles or licks you, he or she might be showing you affection by grooming you. Rats also have an excellent sense of smell, so your rat might nibble or lick your hand or smell you after you eat or prepare food.
*Discourage your pet from licking your face.
Pets can harbor many bacterial organisms in their mouth that may NOT be problematic to them but can be to elderly or immunocompromised people.
Sometimes rats like to feel things with their teeth. A good example of this would be if you stick your hand in their cage, and then they start to lightly nibble on your fingers. This behavior is just them exploring the new thing; they aren't trying to hurt you at all.
Do not kiss, nuzzle, or hold rats close to your face. This can startle your rats and also increase your chances of being bitten. Bites can spread germs and can make you sick. You don't have to touch pet rats to get sick from their germs.
Wondering if your pet rat is feeling happy? You should check its ears, researchers say. A team of scientists in Switzerland found that a rat's ears are more pinkish and are positioned at a more relaxed angle when it is experiencing positive emotions.
Whistling or chirping: Rats may make high-pitched whistling or chirping sounds when they are happy or excited. Growling or grunting: Rats may growl or grunt when they feel threatened or aggressive.
Excited rats may also jump, hop, or “popcorn” when they are happy. They may run excitedly at full speed around the house or enclosure—just like how dogs get the “zoomies.”
Male rats tend to be quite cuddly and affectionate pets with a mellow temperament. They are likely to enjoy snuggling up with you for some head scratches. If you want a more independent and adventurous companion, a female rat may be the pet for you. Female rats are quite active and like to get busy exploring.
Rats are exceptional climbers, undeniably. Also the little cousin of the rat, the mouse, can reach counter tops and tops of dressers. For that reason, it is safe to think that a rat can conveniently climb onto a bed. Additionally, a pet rat owner can personally say that a rat can get into a bed.
Quivering/Vibrating
This behaviour is literally the rats feeling something too intensely for them to express. It can be a sign of nerves, but can also be a sign of intense excitement or apprehension. To try and judge what exactly your rat is feeling so intensely you have to look at it's overall body language.
Dogs have “puppy eyes,” but rats are just as gifted at looking pitiful to get your attention. You've probably noticed your rats hovering at the cage door, staring at you with pleading eyes. Whether they are begging to be fed, let out to play, or looking for a snuggle, this is a sure sign they want your attention.
Mice and rats are so smart that they can recognize their names and respond when called.
Many rats like to hang out on their owner's shoulders while they go about their daily activities. Affectionate animals, rats like to groom and lick their favorite human companions, and they can easily differentiate between different people.
The stereotypical sound of human laughter is an aspirated h, followed by a vowel, usually a, and largely because of our larynx is rich in harmonics. In contrast, rat laughter comes in the form of high-frequency 50-kilohertz ultrasonic calls, or “chirps,” that are distinct from other vocal emissions in rats.
Smells and Odors that attract rats
Odors and smells that come from pet waste, pet food, garbage containers, barbecue grills, birdfeeders, and even from unharvested fruit and nuts from plants can attract rats and mice.
Fruit and berries — Out of all the foods rodents consume, their top two loves are generally fruits and berries. In the wild, rats and mice consume these foods at every opportunity. Therefore, raspberry and blackberry bushes — as well as apple and pear trees — can serve as magnets for the animals.
They just think of you as part of their pack. Learning Social Skills: Some young rats mouth fingers or skin as they learn social skills. Even if their teeth come in contact with your skin, it's doubtful they actually bite down. It's like a puppy or human baby tasting and testing things.
Bruxism, commonly referred to by pet rat fanciers as “bruxing,” is a soft but repetitive grinding of the incisors, or front teeth. When a rat is “bruxing” more aggressively, it may cause the bulbous eyes to pop out of the socket even more. A rat's anatomy is unique in that the jaw muscle passes behind the eyeball.
Tail wagging may involve the whole tail or as little as the tail tip. The function of tail wagging is unknown in rats, but it appears to be associated with excitement and tension. For example, rats may writhe their tails during aggressive encounters with each other, or when facing a predator.