Rats! one or two?

Question

I'm planning on getting a male rat [i'd like a male because females arent as laid back and go into heat every 4-5 days]. My grandmother is afraid of them but she is willing to let me have one. I'm afraid if i ask to get two she'll drop the whole idea. I've done sooo much research and gone to the pet store multiple times looking at the baby rats and asking the shop owners about them. But I need to know whether I should get one or two. I've heard if you can give them alot of attention they will be just fine alone but i've also heard that they'd lose their minds and rip out their own fur if it doesnt have another of its own species.. As you can see these two answers very different. Keep in mind that I go to school so im away for six hours a day but come home straight after school and would love to spend the rest of the day all my whole weekend with the little guy. But is that enough to keep him happy?

To add on; the pet store I go to only has small wire cages for hamsters or baby rats, and aquariums for full grown rats. So, Im thinking about using a hamster cage for the first few months and then as he grows get a larger cage but I dont know where to get a large wire cage. Would it be alright to put him from a wire cage to a tank? Or is it safer to just get the tank and look for a wire cage aswell? Also, when I bring him home how long should I wait to handle him? [im planning on getting him as a baby]

Answer 1

It's always best to have rats with company. They get lonely. You'll be gone at school and he'll be napping. You'll goto bed at night which is his most active time of the day. I would try to convince your grandmother to allow you to have a second rat to befriend your first. If not, it may be better to get a pet that can live alone.

You may really want the rat, so much that you would only get one, but you must put its well being before your wants. So, all are nothing is what I suggest to you. At least one other rat buddy or no rats. :( I hope your grandmother will allow a pair, they are so wonderful.

***Your added questions:

A wire cage is best due to it being well ventilated and they can climb on the walls! From what I've found, rats need at LEAST 2 cubic feet of space, per rat, so a hamster cage will be too small.

Baby rats grow fast. Very fast. You can even see a change in them from the morning to the evening. By month 2 they'll be finding a little hamster cage too snug.

I also recommend getting your rat at the age of 5-6 weeks. By then it is properly socialized, knows how to be a rat, has had all it needed from parenting, and will be ready to be your buddy. For the first two days, keep him in his cage and leave him be so he adjusts to the new home. Afterwards, put your hand in the cage to let him sniff, nibble, and climb on you. He'll get use to you (a rat snack in the palm of your hand always gets them to buddy up with you quicker). You'll find that he'll appreciate your company and eventually will be clinging to the bars wanting to be let out and to nuzzle up on your shoulder!

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

Two (or more) rats will be *much* happier than a solitary rat & their personalities seem to come out a lot more if they have company. Before I learned that they really prefer to have other rats for company, I had solitary rats-- they *seemed* happy but only 1 of them lived more than 2 years & they didn't act like the totally joyful rats we now live with.
Maybe your grandmother would agree to 2 rats if you let her know how much happier they'd be & that they'll both be males so she doesn't have to worry about babies showing up.
If you're sure you'll be able to get a bigger cage in a couple months (rats grow quickly) you can get a smaller one now-- we've done this on occasion. You can look online for good cages if there's no place close to buy one. Also,some people think you should wait a day or 2 before handling your new pets, but we usually begin holding them right away, unless they're obviously frightened or otherwise stressed out.

Answer 3

I had a rat for about 2 years & he was fine byhimself. My mom's cat did hang around his cage a lot, but I don't think that were friends. It is true that they become slitely aggressive when they aren't interacted with. If you decide to get just one, don't buy him a friend later(especially a baby friend), because they will fight. Either buy 2 rats now or buy 1 rat and make sure to spend time with him. They are great pets. Enjoy.
Try bird cages, that is what rat lived in. Just use something to lock it, or they will figure out how to open it.

Answer 4

its a lot better to have a pair. i have had rats and they are so much better together than alone. just be careful because if you have 2 males they can become dominant and controlling of each other. for example in elementary school my class had 2 baby male rats for about a month. then one day we came in from the weekend and there was only 1. my teacher was in a state of shock and she told us(this is REALLY gross!) that 1 of them had eaten the other 1s head!!!!!!! so be careful! this is a true story by the way! i would not make this up! good luck!

Answer 5

I have always tried to keep pairs just so if for whatever reason I can't play everyday the rat won't be lonely. But right now I've just got one and and she gets along fine alone. Also you're planing on getting a boy, my girls always ran everywhere so I couldn't play with them when I was doing home work, but boys are content to just be lap-rats, so you could just let him sit while you do anything.

Answer 6

men gained't strive against anymore than women do. it really is a fantasy. also, men are better laid lower back. you want better lively get a woman. so some distance because the vet bill is going, get puppy coverage. I have them on all my rats and this is been nicely worth it. I have women who're very very lively.

Answer 7

Just get one rat. So long as you give him excirsize and attention he will be fine. Yes, males are better. If you later find you can't give him as much attention give him a pal. (same age). And your granny will luv him after about a week. My mom hated mine but now luvs him. Lol. Rats are super great pets. You can train them to do anything. Mine comes to his name.
Good Luck and have fun!

Answer 8

It depends get 2 if you are busy but they wont be as attached to you and if one of them dies then the other rat will be very depressed. Get 1 if you want it 2 be very attached to you and if you got a lot of time to play with it.

Answer 9

I would say get 2 b.c rats love other playmates , and they never fight and it will have something to keep it warm at night

Answer 10

get 2 the'll be much happier with a friend to play with while your out at school/work