Rat squeaks are a staple animal sound in online videos because they are instantly recognisable and need no explanation. Creators use short rodent clips for Halloween content, cartoon-style gags, pest-control jokes and reaction videos, where a few seconds of squeaking can suggest an infestation, a hidden animal or a moment of disgust. The same sound also appears in pet content, where owners pair it with footage of their own rats, mice or hamsters. Its short length and clear high-pitched character make it easy to drop into edits without overpowering dialogue or music.