Question:

Is it ok to get just one rat?

by Guest57358 | earlier

so i've wanted a pet rat for EVER! but my mom always says NO because she doesn't like them, and i want 2 girl rats, but she always says no. so i was thinking that maybe if i ask for just one she MIGHT say yes, but i know that rats love company and it would do so so much better with another rat (i like to read all about the kind of animal i wnat before i get it) so should i ask if i could get one or not? will it die early if it doesn't have a companian?

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No not at all
Report (0) (0) | earlier
I had one by itself..  but I also had the capacity to bring it places with me..  or have him with someone else..  when home he played with our other animals.. (actually got along well with cats, dogs, a rabbit, a guinea pig, and a hamster) .. I'm sure it would have been nice to have another rat, but he was alone when given to me.. and I didn't notice a problem..

I doubt the single rat idea is going to change her mind though.. if she doesn't like rats.. she doesn't like rats..  end of argument
Report (0) (0) |   earlier
Animals need companions.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Of course. A rat needs a loyal owner to cherish them and take care of them =)

I bet you're rat will love you when you get one! =)

Definitely get a female. To let you know, rats are very social animals, so ask your mom for 2 rats. Or your 1 will be lonely.

Best of luck with you're new rat! =)
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Your pet's companion should be you. Maybe wait until you have time to spend with any four-legged friend.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Maybe you can find one who doesn't like companions, if you are up for searching for adoptable rats rather than just going the easy way and buying them from the store. I have a boy who is much much less stressed now that I've seperated him from his brothers.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
rats do love company, but one will do just fine if you are its companion! if you are only going to get one, make sure you have the time to spend time getting it out to play every day.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
get two
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Well, small animals such as rats, gerbils, mice, fish, etc often live a few years longer with someone else..like a little buddy. Getting one of a small animal isnt a wise idea, its always best to get two. That way they are more happy and have someone to be with.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
i have had 3 rats in my life, all one after another, so they were the only animal in the cage. They did just fine, lived for at least 2 years (possibly more, can't remember) but although they seemed totally fine, next time I get a rat, I would get a couple - a male and a female - they will get on so much better than two males-they will fight, not sure about females but I dare say the best is one of each.

If you get more rats together, it might be a bit more difficult to tame them, one rat will bond with you easier, but then it is probably better for them to have a friend as they are social animals.

I always used to take my rat everywhere with me, she would sit on my shoulder, when I took my dog out to pee, I put the rat on the grass, AMAZINGLY she did pee and then climbed straight back on my clothes onto my shoulder! She also followed me when I walked outside - as long as I stayed within 2 m away from her. They are incredibly intelligent animals, wish more people would see that! Definitely smarter than mice or hamsters!

EDIT - lab rats are NOT dirty, unlike the wild rats which carry diseases...

do NOT get albino rats, if you can help it as they have tendency to go blind early (mine did)

I wish you good luck with your rats!
Report (0) (0) | earlier
rats like company. i think they are suppose to live longer or something when they are with another rat because they are happy. rats are very sociable and need a friend. even if you play with him/her a lot they need a cage friend!! they may get very depressed if they dont have a friend!! sorry : [
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Get two so they both have someone to play with. 2 of gthe same s*x if you dont want babies.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
here read this

http://www.ratsrule.com/ratcare.html

look at the rats need company section
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Don't get any rats. They're rodents, that are dirty and disease carriers. Your mom is right, listen to her.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
NO!!!! Rats are social animals and need a companion to cuddle, groom, and play with.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
rats r solitary
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Rats are pack creatures, they prefer the company of other rats.

But I have had rats in singles and pairs, they do okay singly but will sometimes get angry and tear stuff up, if left alone too long.

I recommend (if you can't get a pair) get a single rat, then hopefully in a few months time, get another so the first will have companionship when you aren't there.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Show her u can look aftr another animal first then grovel lol
Report (0) (0) | earlier
ok as an owner of 6 ratties.. 1 hairless, 1 white, 3 black/white hoodeies, and an all brown one.. i can tell you they NEED company unlike some small animals haveing just one and you does not make them bond to you any faSTER or more then if you had 2 of them. they are very CLEAN INTELLIGENT creatures love to play are affectionate playful loveable1.. i would definitly advice one getting it a friend they cuddle togther groom each other and will be calmer and happier as for life span??.. mine have lived to 3, 3 1/2 years... they do not have a long life span.. good luck with it...
Report (0) (0) | earlier
well its fine but it would be way better to get another rat so when they arent with you out of their cage they will have a companion to be with so they dont get as bored...i wouldnt say it would die early...but it might get wet tail. wet tail is when a rat dosent get alot of attention or gets so bored it gets wet tail. so my advice is get another rat the same gender
Report (0) (0) | earlier
The rats would be living in the same cage, so i highly doubt your mom would say yes to 1 rat and not 2 =/ if she does, I'm guessing her mom dropped her on her head an offil lot. The best thing you can do is ask if you can get 1 rat, if she says yes say "but theyd be living in the same cage why cant i get two?"
Report (0) (0) | earlier
You should always have a pair. My sister has rats and she's never had only one.
Report (0) (0) | earlier
If you spend a lot of time with her she should be ok without a rat friend. I love rats too they are smart and sociable.
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No rat can live a perfect life alone but if you get a rat stay away from hooded rats because the are prone to tumors
Report (0) (0) | earlier
Unless you can find a local rescue/shelter that has a single rat that is known to dislike other rats.......

It's not recommended to just get one.

Their level of happiness is decreased if they're housed alone, and no matter how much time you spend with them, it's just not the same as having a cage mate they wrestle, groom, and cuddle with.

How would you like it if you were very social, but didn't have any friends? Wouldn't be too happy.
Report (0) (0) | earlier