What are female pet rats called? - briefly
Female pet rats are called does, though the term sows is also used in some contexts.
What are female pet rats called? - in detail
Female rats kept as companions are commonly called does. The male counterpart is termed a buck. In laboratory and breeding literature, the term sow is also used for adult females, but among pet owners the word doe is standard.
The distinction follows the same naming pattern applied to other rodent species. The terms are derived from the animal husbandry tradition that classifies sex‑specific roles:
- Doe – adult female rat, typically used in pet circles.
- Buck – adult male rat.
- Sow – adult female in scientific or commercial breeding contexts.
- Jill – juvenile female, though this label is rarely used for pets.
Rats reach sexual maturity at about five to six weeks of age. Once they are older than three months, the adult designations (doe or buck) replace juvenile terms. The distinction is important for breeding records, health monitoring, and social grouping, as females may exhibit different behavior patterns and hormonal cycles compared to males.
In summary, the accepted term for a pet female rat is “doe,” with “sow” as an alternative in formal breeding documentation.