The word "rat" has a great deal of negative connotations. When you hear someone say it, you think of a monster with dirty hair and a gross pink tail or that scene from "Game of Thrones" where The Tickler puts a bucket with a rat inside over a prisoner's chest. But we're not here to talk about that. We're here to talk about the cute, intelligent, misunderstood creatures who spend a great deal of their lives in glass pet store cages being passed by because of stereotypes. So, here are some reasons why you should consider getting a pet rat.

1. They can be potty trained.

It's extremely easy to litter train a rat. My rat had already chosen an area of his cage to do his business, so all I had to do was put a litter box in that area, and he began to use it.

2. They are very clean.

Despite the common misconception, rats are not at all filthy. They groom themselves even more than cats do. In addition to using litter pans, they will also push soiled bedding out of their cage or, like my rat does, into his litter box.

3. They are extremely smart.

Watch this. Enough said.

4. They are lovable.

Rats are sociable animals and very rarely bite if treated right. And they love to cuddle.

5. They don't carry diseases.

Everyone assumes that letting a rat into your home means exposing yourself to harmful diseases. The truth is, you have as much of a chance of getting a disease from your rat as you do from your cat or dog.

6. They don't smell.

As long as you keep his cage clean, your rat isn't going to smell. He's really clean, remember?!

7. You can bathe them.

If your rat seems to be having trouble keeping himself clean, don't worry. You can give him a bath! He'll be grateful, and you guys can spend some quality time together.

8. They're organized.

I gave my rat a book, and he turned it into a masterpiece of organized bedding. I didn't stop to look, but he probably organized them into a new novel.

9. They like to play.

Since rats are so smart and sociable, you can teach them how to play games like peek-a-boo, hide and seek, and tag. I haven't found any information about teaching them to play the flute yet, unfortunately.

10. Every rat is different.

Because rats are so intelligent and personable each one has a unique personality. Adopting a pet rat is a worthwhile experience for everyone involved. Some people believe rats are like goldfish; simply buy another one if yours dies. This is not the case. You will create a special bond with your rat.

11. People will grow to love them.

The day I first brought my rat home, my family was revolted because they believed in all of the misconceptions I've debunked above. He won them over with his personality and charm. Now they visit him and feed him treats even when I'm not home.

Give rats a chance!