What is the name of Dr. House’s unusual pet rat in House M.D.?

Dr. House’s unusual pet rat in House M.D. is named Steve McQueen.

House keeps the rat in a cage and uses it as part of his eccentric home life. The name refers to the American actor Steve McQueen, whose film career included The Great Escape and Bullitt. Naming the rat after a famous actor fits House’s habit of using dry, unexpected references.

The rat appears in stories that emphasize House’s isolation, unconventional routines, and fondness for experiments. It is not a medical colleague or a recurring hospital patient, but a memorable detail from the character’s private world.

The name is sometimes mixed up with names of House’s human friends or with other animals shown in the series. The canonical name is Steve McQueen. The character detail also reflects the show’s broader use of small comic props to reveal House’s personality without requiring exposition.