What about this?

Question

I want a rat. But everyone is telling me to get 2. My sis is getting a rat to. is it okay if i put my rat in her rats cage when im gone?

Answer 1

Well:

Try to get the rats on the same day so that you and your sister get a rat from the same litter. If they're from the same litter, you wont have to go through the trouble of introducing them (it takes time. You can't simply put an unfamiliar rat into another rat's cage) and you can put the two rats together in a big cage.

However, if you and your sister want your rats in separate cages (maybe because you or your sister wants their rat in their own room) then I strongly suggest that you get a pair.

Having one rat in a cage by itself is not good at all. Rats are very sociable creatures and need constant company. Even if you play with your rat as much as you can, a rat will still appreciate another rat's company more.

Rats sharing a cage should be the same gender too! Even if a male and female rat is related, they'll still breed and then you'll end up with a house full of rats!! However, if you DO want to breed rats (I don't recommend that to you if you're a first time owner) then go ahead.

If you can't get two rats from the same litter, than heres how to introduce two unfamiliar rats:

heres how to introduce:

first u get a seperate cage 4 the lil new ratty and keep him away from the other cage (like at a friend's house or a different room). keep him there for a few weeks or so.

then u should place the two cages near each each other so that they can get used to eachother's scent. dont put them so close that they can touch eachother but make it so that they can see and smell eachother. leave it like that for about a week.

introduce the rats in a neutral place like a bathtub or some place where your original rats dont go (and leave their scent). If they show any signs of aggression (arching their backs and attacking eachother) then unfortunetly u cant really put them together for safety purpuses.

once the rats have been introduced, let them play in eachothers cages. ALWAYS watch them because u dont want any fights. once u think its ok then u can move them in together:)

*note: there is a difference between play-fighting and actual fighting. play-fighting is when the rats are nuzzling eachothers faces and jumping around and chasing eachother. this is normal in small rats. actual fighting involves biting, scratching and hissing

Answer 2

Hi!

Just make sure that the rats are from the same litter! At my pet store they have all the brothers together in one cage and all the sisters together in a different cage. If your pet store is like that, I would get two rats that are in the same cage.

They should be fine! Just make sure that your cage is about this big, 24"x24"x12". Because if it is too small they would be cramped and that won't be comfortable.

If you are really concerned, I would have a relative or friend come check-up on them everyday to make sure that they are okay!

love,

animal helper

Answer 3

You should get two! Rats like having companions for when you're not around. Make sure they're either from the same litter or get along well. I always get pairs :)