I was looking in to getting a pet rat and i was wondering if i need to get two of them to keep them self company when im at school or would one be fine
2007-09-30 16:57:11 · 12 answers · asked by eric e 1 in Pets ➔ Rodents
Yep! They are sociable and would happiest with a SAME SEX buddy!
2007-10-01 04:06:23 · answer #1 · answered by lol 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-10-01 07:07:41 · answer #2 · answered by Catkin 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Rats, as with many household pets, love company. It would be best if you bought a companion for him/her, especially if you aren't home alot. If you choose not to buy two rats, you can keep your rat happy by putting toys in the cage with it. Although these can't compare with another rat, a wheel, plastic tube, and other toys would be great entertainment.
2007-09-30 17:12:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
A friend of mine gave me a lone rat, and he was very depressed and would never come out of his house save for food. He became much happier when I got him rat companions, and has lost a lot of excess weight. I believe that they do best in pairs, or more.
2007-10-01 06:08:23 · answer #4 · answered by Morgan H 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
rats are social so it is best if they have a little playmate you could get same sex rats if u dont plan on having babies. but to avoid fighting, its best to get rats that were born in the same litter or that live together in the same environment like at the pet store where they have them all together. That doesnt mean that ull kill them if u dont get another 1 but it would be better 4ur rat 2 not be alone
2007-10-01 04:31:15 · answer #5 · answered by Devin V 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You do in fact need at least two. They have to have another rat around to keep it company and happy. They are little pack creatures. I am happy that you are researching before you buy, and keep going, from my research and soon to be expeirence, rats are great little critters to have around.
By the way ,this is tiadean911's friend, volleyball chic
2007-10-01 01:50:13 · answer #6 · answered by Tia G 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two rats are better than one, but I have had no problems with rats being alone. As long as you spend time with it and give it lots of love!!
2007-09-30 17:45:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rats are highly intelligent, social animals, and although they enjoy the companionship of humans, they thrive in - and need - the company of their own species. Although they will usually survive if kept as single pets, pet care is not just a matter of keeping animals alive; rats will have happier and more interesting lives when kept with other rats. Rats should never live alone, and ideally should be kept in groups of two or more of the same sex. It is unfair to deprive any social animal of the company of its own species. Rats enjoy grooming each other, curling up to sleep together, and sometimes even fighting. It is usual for rats to scrap occasionally, especially when they are 'teenagers' between 3 and 6 months old; do not worry about this unless you see serious injuries, as the rats are just establishing a pecking order.
No matter how much time you can spend with your rat, you will never be able to replace the attentions of his own species. A rat's most active time is in the middle if the night, when most rat owners are unlikely to be able to provide their pet with companionship. One fear expressed by potential rat-owners is that if they get more than one rat, the animals will bond together and be less tame as a result. The opposite is usually the case, as solitary rats can easily become clingy, introverted and neurotic. Rats kept in pairs or groups are happier, more confident, and no more difficult to tame. If you want proof of this, go to a rat show or visit someone who keeps a group of rats as pets. You will be able to meet plenty of extrovert, confident rats and their ratty friends. We are not aware of any sound argument for keeping rats alone, but there are many good reasons to let them live in single-sex pairs or groups: two rats are as easy to look after as one, a cage that is big enough for one rat is big enough for a pair, two rats are much happier and live longer than single rats --and they're many times more interesting to watch! Do not worry about a pair of rats producing unwanted babies - rats should be kept in single-sex groups to avoid this, and it is very easy to tell the difference between males and females with a little experience.
I like males better. They like to cuddle more then females who like to explore. Males dont smell much worse then females.
2007-09-30 17:28:01 · answer #8 · answered by Akasha 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Without a ratty friend life is very lonely for the single rat
2014-11-20 01:20:45 · answer #9 · answered by Barry 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Need A Companion
2017-02-25 13:33:16 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two is better than one for sure, and they love companionship and playing with each other. If you can get two than go for it. They will still be just as attached to you and friendly but you get twice the fun of two great pets. I have two girls, which I would recommend females since they are very clean and smell free compared to the males. We had two males as well and they love to scent mark with their pee which is very strong smelling. So the girls are better in that regard.
2007-09-30 17:03:03 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋