Of course, the most desirable way to choose a rat is to get to know several fairly well before getting yourself obligated to take one or more. That way, you know for sure what you're getting and whether or not you will get along. But, that is unfortunately not an option for those of us "pet store people". What most people do is pick one that's pretty and go home, regardless. What you should do, unless you're feeling very brave or just not thinking, is carefully look at each rat in turn. Don't let store workers, family, or friends interfere if it is to be YOUR pet. You are, after all, the one who it is going to live with! The first step is to gently put your hand inside the cage and watch the reaction. If all of the rats scurry away and hide, that is probably not a good thing. If, however, they all calmly come up and inspect your fingers, you have well-socialized, happy rats! There is another decision; male or female? Both are great pets, but males tend to be better lap animals and females like to explore more. Be careful never to get a female rat that is over six weeks old in a co-ed rat cage! You have a very good chance of ending up with a dozen rats instead of just one! Check all over for cuts or bites, any kind of sign that the rat has been picked on a lot (this could also be a sign that it likes to fight other rats!). Scabs can also mean that the rat has mites or some other skin problem. Check the teeth to make sure they line up well and the rat won't have problems chewing. Make sure there is no discharge around the eyes and nose, which can be a sign of illness. Never get a rat that is sneezing frequently. Put the rat's chest right against your ear and listen closely. You shouldn't be able to hear anything at all. If you do, that rat may be sick or it may have respiratory problems. Finally, look at the rat's coloring! This is the least important decision in my mind, but it still can be the difference between buying or not! Of course, we all like to have a unique rat, but keep in mind that they all are unique in personality if not in color!
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