Year of the Rat - can rats make good pets?

This Lunar Year is the Year of the Rat.

Cat (Felis catus) with pet rat crawling on it, studio background, Source: Universal Images Group Editorial

The Rat has had some bad press over the years. The rodent has been blamed for carrying disease and generally looked upon as nothing but a pest. However, as this Lunar New Year is the Year of the Rat, some are putting forth the case for the Rat as a possible cuddly pet, like the family cat or poodle.