Pet rats should be housed together from a young age and should ideally be siblings. They should be kept in small same-sex groups and are perfectly happy without the opposite sex.
They enjoy the company of others, much like humans and other animals do. While it's true that a single pet rat can often live a healthy life and won't exactly pine for another rodent, it's been shown that rats with a playmate or two are happier animals. A rat will be just as close to you if it has a friend.
Rats need company of their own kind; it's unfair to keep one alone because they're social animals. Single rats can even become depressed. To avoid unwanted babies, the best option is usually a pair or group of the same sex.
Always adopt at least 2 rats (if not more) to ensure they keep each other company and provide essential rodent interaction. Rats should be housed in same-sex groupings to avoid unwanted litters. Rats need daily exercise outside of their cage – even if this is just for an hour or two a night.
It is always best to have at least two rats as they are very social animals and become lonely and bored living alone. It is important to make sure that your rat has a large enough house to move freely and get exercise.
Rats can live in pairs, although a trio or more is as they create their own social network. Pairs of rats can sometimes get agitated with one another and will tend to show dominant behaviour. Time spent out of the cage and fun training can help prevent this. It's best for rats to live together in same-sex groups.
You may be asking yourself, 'Does seeing one rat mean an infestation? ' Yes. One rat is a strong indicator that they are not alone.
Spend at least one hour a day with your rat.
Rats crave social interaction, but it doesn't just have to be from other rats. Play with them and even talk with them if you're comfortable doing so. It's your presence that a rat will enjoy best so what you do matters less than just paying attention to them.
Pet rats enjoy human interaction. Once your rats are used to interacting with you, going an entire week without human contact can be stressful for them. Not only do they thrive by receiving love from their humans, but they also do better when stimulated intellectually.
Gender: Although all rats have individual personalities, females tend to be smaller, more active, and playful, while males are often larger, more mellow, and snuggly.
Male rats tend to be quite cuddly and affectionate pets with a mellow temperament. They are likely to enjoy snuggling up with you for some head scratches. If you want a more independent and adventurous companion, a female rat may be the pet for you. Female rats are quite active and like to get busy exploring.
Wondering if your pet rat is feeling happy? You should check its ears, researchers say. A team of scientists in Switzerland found that a rat's ears are more pinkish and are positioned at a more relaxed angle when it is experiencing positive emotions.
Rats will need a larger cage, a min- imum of 20 inches long x 14 inches wide x 24 inches high. The floor area will need to be increased one square foot for each additional rat. Bars should be no more than one inch apart. If your rats are very young, you may want to select a cage with narrower spacing.
Rats can be extremely social and even like to cuddle!
If your remaining rat is lonely, you may notice changes in appetite or activity level. Sleeping more and/or playing less can also be indications of lonesomeness. On the other hand, your lone rat could seem perfectly happy.
They have an excellent sense of touch, and a wonderful sense of smell. They're normally active at night and at dawn and dusk. Rats live for around 2 years, but some may live longer.
There are disease concerns with both wild (rats, mice) and pet (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs) rodents and rabbits. They can carry many diseases including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia and Salmonella.
Rats are very low maintenance pets to own. They are very comfortable in their own environment and can go long periods of the day without much attention. If you are the type of owner that is away for long periods of the day then pet rats may be a good choice for you.
Clean the cage completely twice a week by replacing dirty bedding and scrubbing down the rest of the cage with warm, soapy water. High-quality rat blocks should be available to your pet at all times. Avoid seed mixes, as many rats will pick out their favorite bits and leave the rest behind.
Rat housing
Your rats will need: A large cage - rats are active and need space to run, stretch up on their hind legs, climb and explore. They're highly curious and inquisitive, and love exploring. Make sure their cage is escape-proof, as they're good at squeezing through gaps in their cage - especially young rats!
Rats are in fact incredibly clean animals. They frequently groom themselves and should not smell. If you are encountering problems with your rats smelling or you're concerned about this as a potential problem, rest assured it can be avoided.