i am getting a pet rat and i heard that you should buy same sex pairs is this true and why?
2006-09-30 23:45:01 · 16 answers · asked by kez 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I Kazakhstan we love rats...
Buy one boy and one girl.. soon soon you have lots of rats..
They very good food in winter when too cold to shop
Have a good day comrade
2006-10-01 02:00:12 · answer #1 · answered by jonti 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋
This is very true. If this is your first rat, I would recommend two females, as they are slightly cleaner and tend to get along better with each other. Though rats enjoy human companionship, they need the social interaction with a member of their own species daily, as they would in the wild.
Keeping two rats is really no different than keeping one, so you definitely should get two! Do an internet search for a rat breeder in your area, though pet stores can have some good rats, a breeder is your best bet for a wonderful, personable rat, plus they will be willing to share all kinds of useful information with you. Good luck!
2006-10-03 21:04:45 · answer #2 · answered by Robin 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a myth that only siblings will get on. They will get on fine as long as intros are done properly. Occasionally you do get the odd rat who dislikes other rats, but that is the exception, not the rule.
Definitely get at least two. They need same sex company, no human can be with them 24/7 or do for them what another rat would do. How many you get depends a lot on the size of the cage you get for them. I recently got four baby boys because I couldn't decide which two to get! I don't know how pet shops can mix girls and boys up, boys bits are so obvious from a very young age.
Have you decided on the sex yet? Girls tend to be more hyperactive and territorial towards the cage and sisters. They are also prone to mammary tumours. Boys are a lot lazier in every respect, but they can be quite grumpy as they get older. Whatever you decide to get, I hope they bring you plenty of joy.
2006-10-03 17:46:44 · answer #3 · answered by kiffie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats are very social animals, and need to have constant companionship. Getting 2 or more rats will make them much happier. Sex doesn't matter, just be sure they are all the SAME SEX, or else you'll have a lot of babies really fast! Be sure you are getting your babies from a reputable source. Many pet stores really don'y know a lot about what they sell, so you may accidently get a male & female. I'd try for a local breeder. They are very accurate at sexing young rats, so you won't have a problem with getting same sex babies.
vet tech, and past owner of several ratties.
2006-10-01 09:23:56 · answer #4 · answered by Lisa 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Rats are social animals, they love company. Obviously you don't HAVE to get two, but many people prefer to get at least two so they can keep each other company when you are not around. Obviously if you got two different sexes they would breed, but getting two of the same sex would not. Siblings (two sisters or two brothers) will get on with each other much better than putting two complete strangers together.
2006-10-01 10:47:44 · answer #5 · answered by chunniemonster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think 2 same sex would be a better option...obviously you don't want opposite sexes unless you want lots of little ratties and the headache of rehoming and taking care of etc....Rats are very intelligent sociable creatures who need lots of stimulation and contact...one on its own is ok if you are prepared to put in a lot of hard work to entertain your pet...lots of mazes and different things for it to do...but its great if your pet rat has another rat to get along with and play with too.
2006-10-01 09:56:20 · answer #6 · answered by widow_purple 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had two pet rats at the same time same sex and from the same litter all they did was bite each other now I only one he is fine as long as I get him out of the cage for him to starch his legs now and again.
2006-10-02 12:20:41 · answer #7 · answered by karren w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard this before, but the only reason I could think of is so that you don't end up with 20 pet rats.
2006-10-01 06:47:02 · answer #8 · answered by iswd1 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure you don't need to be told what happens when you keep males and females. Minimum of 2, which is what I would reccomend if you are new to rat keeping :) They are social animals and will groom and play with each other.
2006-10-03 12:22:07 · answer #9 · answered by chicK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a pair of either boys or girls, preferably the same litter. Rats like company and one on its own would become bored and loney.
2006-10-01 06:46:50 · answer #10 · answered by gerbiltamer 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's true if you want to raise gay rats. Buy a male and female, then you can have as many as you want, But as soon as you know the female is pregnant, seperate her from the male to have her babies or the male might possibly eat them.
2006-10-01 07:19:50 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋