Lonely pet rat?

Question

Here's the thing: I just convinced my mom to buy me another rat two years or so after my last one died (of old age). She absolutely despises them and had a problem with me even buying one, so you can understand how she'd be reluctant when I told her I needed another.

I do try and interact with Ringo as much as possible, but he is alone in his cage for long periods of time. We own a bichon frise and my sister has a teddy bear hamster. We've let them roam together in the same room and they show no signs of hostility or even interest towards each other.

Is it okay for my rat to live without a companion? Or should I continue convincing my mom to let me get another one?

I am aware that they need to be kept in same s*x groups.

Answer 1

Yes it needs a companion! Rats are very social creatures, I used to keep rats and had a book on them. It said that even spending a lot of time with them nothing compares with them having constant companionship. It is funner too watching them play together.

Answer 2

I would keep pushing for a friend... but in the end if your mom still refuses then it is your responsibility to provide him social interaction time with you for 4 hours EVERYDAY.    

to answer your other question, yes age plays a factor.  The younger they both are the better chance they will get along.  How old is your rat?  knowing his age will help me give you a better idea on how to go about introductions.

*edit*

so he has been alone for quite some time.  Try finding him a younger friend, one that is around 5 to 7 weeks old (a breeder will be your best bet, as the pet store sounds as though they get them at a much older age, or have them in the store for a long time, plus the genetics of the breeder rat will be a lot stronger then pet store rats).  

Once you find a friend, put him in quarantine for about 2 weeks, but 3 weeks would be better. (quarantine: to house in a different house, or at least on different floors or rooms as to prevent the spread of possible illness).  

After quarantine, you can then put the newer rat (still in a separate cage) next to your current rats cage so that they can get used to each others presence.  Keep the cages next to each other for at least a week.  Then try introducing them in nueteral territory (like a bathtube).  There may be some fighting but as long as there is no blood there is not problem, it is just them working out dominance.  

Stay with them for at least 45 mins to make sure they are getting along well.  If intros go well, then clean the main cage out real well as to eliminate the smell of original owners smell.  Then put them in the main cage together and watch them for at least another 45 mins.  If all goes well, then you have HAPPY RATTIES! \^o^/  

I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 3

im $sure he will be fine. as long as you spend time with him.

      *btw...i like the name Ringo.lol cutee.

Answer 4

GET ANOTHER RAT!

Answer 5

you deffinatly need to get him a freind.sorry Cazz but the rat will NOT bond more without having another rat around your rat will actually become MORE moody,agressive and more standoffish as time goes on. Rats need to have companionship 24/7 period without it they will become territorial beliveing that everything is theirs and nobody elses becuase noone else is eating from his bowl,sleeping in his bed or living in his cage it will become his and he will starrt to resent you the"stranger" going thru his things. i have personally seen this happen and it is most likley to happen with males. i used to work for a rat rescue someone brought in their male rat that had been alone his whole life. the women who brought him in had 3 stitches in her hand from trying to feed him. she couldnt keep him forher 4 kids anymore becuase they couldnt even water him without being bitten and having blood drawn. after we had him checked out we moved him to a rat room were all the healthy males could get out.he started a few fights but within a month of being around more rats we were able to feed him and pet him without so much as being nipped.

seriously keep pestering your mom youll be glad you did.

Answer 6

It may be good for you to get a companion for your rat but if you don't it will bond more to you. Rats only cost about $10 so just convince your mum that you will take care of it and she wont even know there is more than one! GOOD LUCK!

Answer 7

I have a neutered male rat and a female rat the I keep in the same cage and they do good together. Before I got the female rat my male was alone and he did fine as long as I took him out to play for a little bit every day. When they don't have a companion you really need to spend some quality time with them. When I got my female rat I kept them in 2 different cages but kept them next to each other so they could see each other and I would let them run around together every now and then but I had to make sure that he didn't try and mount her. I just recently got my male fixed so I could keep them in the same cage. It was only $42 to get it done. They love being together so it was worth the money. In the long run it's better to have another rat for them but you don't have to as long as you spend time with them each day.