21 Ridiculously Cute Rat Memes to Nibble Away Your Stress

Everyone needs a cute break from time to time.

But what really is "cute"? Usually, cute things consist of something small, an itty bitty ray of sunshine. Small things make the human brain go "aww", followed by an urge to gently hold the cute thing. Some cute things also feel nice - fluffy, fuzzy, furry - creating a desire to pet said cute thing. Cute living things have a smol face ready for squeeshing and kisses. So when you combine all these cutie patootie parameters, what do you get? Rat. Yes, seriously, hear us out.

Small, fluffy, and a cute face - rats answer all the cute criteria of being an adorable creature. People are afraid of them, but that's only because these wholesome rodents have terrible PR since The Plague. But we're way past that, we should move on, forgive and forget. But one thing we'll never forget, and never get over, is the fact that rats are actually the cutie patooties of all possible pets. Yes, really.

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via @WholesomeMeme
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via smallpetselect.com
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via smallpetselect.com
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via @woofknight
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via @hometoursandotherstuff
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via @XMemeMachine
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via @memeuplift
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via @Caoimhee
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via Wilderness Society
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via @RespectfulMemes
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via @Beccanthropy
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via @LankyEmu
Rats have pulled off one of history’s greatest reputation comebacks, going from medieval public enemy number one to pocket-sized sweethearts who ride around in hoodie sleeves with a hooman chauffeur.
Back in plague-era Europe, people blamed rats for the devastation of the Black Death, and while rats were indeed involved, the real culprits were fleas carrying the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Unfortunately, rats became the furry fall guys, cementing their image as villains for centuries.
Fast forward to modern times, and science plus firsthand experience have completely rewritten their PR story. Domestic rats are now widely recognized as intelligent, social animals capable of learning tricks, recognizing their names, solving puzzles, and forming strong bonds with humans. Studies show they demonstrate empathy, playfulness, and even laughter-like ultrasonic chirps when tickled. Their cleanliness also surprises many people - rats groom themselves frequently and prefer tidy living spaces when given the chance. Unlike their wild relatives, pet rats are bred for temperament, making them affectionate companions who enjoy cuddling, shoulder-perching, and gentle interaction. In labs, they’ve helped researchers study empathy, addiction, and problem-solving, proving their brains are just as impressive as their whiskers are wiggly.
So the creature once feared as a harbinger of doom is now a beloved tiny roommate. History may have typecast them as villains, but modern reality reveals them as clever, affectionate little marshmallows with tails.
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via @panmaumau
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via @venuslovesrats
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via @RespectfulMemes
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via @wholesome-animal-images
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via Mst Sumi Rani
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via @wholesome-animal-images
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via Megan van der Merwe
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via @equine__dentist
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via @equine__dentist