Wait it's the year of the dog, right? Never mind then. I'll give you that one.
Cyndaquil is based off of an Echindna, not a rat.
I guess you could argue that the body shape is more rodent like, however, it's worth noting that it's only feature it shares with rats. No buck teetch, no huge ears or large eyes. It also lacks a tail of any sort It's really evident it's an echinda, or porcupine or even a hedgehog. (Though the hedgehog is kinda stretching it as Shaymin is a hedgehog)
don't **** around with paris and her animal facts.
We need more hedgehog pokemon. if thats possible.
It takes its design from Honey Badgers, Shrews, Porcupines, echidnas
But it is literally known as the Fire Mouse pokemon