Do pet rats need a companion?

Question

I bought a rat today for my daughter, and given how easy they are to care for, would not object to getting a second one. I've read that brown rats actually need the companionship of another rat. Does this hold true for all species of domesticated rats (mine's not a braown rat)? Or will he do fine on his own?

Answer 1

Rats are very social mammals!

If the rat is going to be out of its cage crawling all ove ryour daughter, that's good enough for the rat. But if being kept caged, it should have another companion, yes.

Answer 2

Hi: I just want to make sure you know that when buying 2 rats at the same time you will not have a problem but don't get another one later because the cage you put your first rat in is his and only his. I tried this and learned the hard way, she almost killed the other one. Our rat was the cleanest of all the pets I have ever owned. She was fun and loved to play and give kisses. she lived for 4 years and had 2 operations for enlarged mammary glands which is common in rats. I miss her. Good luck.

Answer 3

Rats are very social, so yes, she/he will need a companion.Without a companion, a rat can, and will become depressed. May I suggest a ruttus ruttus, (Roof Rat, the pet store will know if you do not), And NOT a ruttus norvegicus, (Brown Rat). A Brown Rat is somewhat the Pittbull of rats, it's fine one moment, and can have an outburst of aggression the next, SO I DO NOT SUGGEST IT FOR YOUR DAUGHTER!
Also, male rats are a little more disgusting than female rats, but are much nicer and easier to take care of, that is if you're tiring to teach your daughter. Rats are very fun and yes, easy to take care of, And are one of the most interesting caged pets.
Love and enjoy them,
Future rodent Veterinarian

Answer 4

I just wanted to add that you can add rats at a later date without problems as long as you handle it properly. If you just put the new rat in the original rats cage of course there will be problems. You need to take it slowly, let them meet on a neutral territory(like the bath) for a while and then put each rat in the other ones cage for a while. By that I mean put rat A in rat Bs cage and at the same time put rat B in rat As cage. This helps them get used to the other ones smell. When you feel ready, put the new rat in the old cage. Depending on how things go, you can leave them there or take them out when you go to bed and return them in the morning. They will still fight as they sort out a pecking order as well as play fighting, but as long as its nothing serious, I wouldn't worry about it.

Its rubbish that only male siblings get along. At the moment I have 4 unrelated boys in one cage and 3 unrelated boys in another. The oldest in the 4 rat cage is 2 and the youngest there is 1. Its very similar in the other cage. The big cage has a few fights, but they still all cuddle up together to sleep.

Answer 5

Please adopt 2 boys or 2 girls. They're so much happier when they have a companion & they'll still love you just as much. Also, they're a lot of fun to watch when they're playing together. I've kept rats alone in the past, before I learned any better & they seemed to do ok but from my own observations rats who can hang out with other rats have *much* fuller lives & I feel bad for not having known this until a few years ago.

Answer 6

They don't NEED a companion, but most won't object to it. I've owned rats for several years now, and only in a few cases, did I have just one rat in a cage, due to aggression.
All domesticated rats (usually preferred to as either 'fancy' or 'albino' (aka the feeders). ).
It will keep them occupied, even when no one is home and handling them. They love socialization.

Answer 7

You don't "need" to get another rat but it might be best to becuz rats are nocturnal and at night when everyone is sleeping it will be awake and won't have anything to do. But if it's a male rat than I don't know becuz they might get territorial but I'm not sure. I have 4 female rats and they get along great with each other...

Answer 8

Males usually get territorial but then again you can put two cages side by side like I did with the males seeing each other. Males play well together but usually like their own place to sleep and eat. It's usually obvious who the male is so please don't mix them unless you want a big surprise in a few weeks..babies! Ratties are intelligent and lovable! I have had many ratties over the past ten years! They can be taught tricks and are very curious animals! I had one who begged on her hind legs just like a dog. They live 2-3 years and are very good pets for younger children. They will allow a child to hold them unlike some hamsters and are more playful then guinea pigs. Males are bigger and more laid back than females! I have had some big baby boys...one in particular named P'nut who was just the squishiest cuddliest critter. I had other ratties at the time but P'nut liked to be with me more than the other ratties. If he is taken out and played with often and allowed to roam with supervision, of course, then he may be ok without a companion. I have had ratties alone and with other ratties. Ratties are very social with their owners and their peers! Ratties need lots of love and no cedar bedding! They will chew on toilet paper and paper towel rolls, they are easily entertained by a game of hide and seek in your bed or on your sofa. I had one who would get out of her cage and come to play in our bed at 2 a.m. She was one of a kind ! She also gave kisses to my daughter when she (my daughter) was a week old! Clean the cage often so he stays healthy! I loved my ratties though I am presently ratless and have a cat who liked my girls when I had them. My ratties always loved mealworms as a treat as well as blueberries and yogies! They do well on rat block type food but I spoiled mine by giving them the gourmet type and treats for begging purposes! I think all ratties are fancy!!! Albinos are a favorite of mine...whether from a breeder or a pet shop as I have had both and I have loved them every one! Enjoy your rattie, I sure enjoyed mine!

Answer 9

everything needs a companion. why a rat? try a cat they just need a human companion and they are very easy to care for.

Answer 10

rats are usualy happier in pairs of the same sex, (same litter if male to avoid excess fighting)

but as long as the rat is handled a lot then it will be happy (let him ride your shoulder while you do the dishes etc)