Should i get a male rat???

Question

I got a female rat a few months ago(Kiwi) i decided to get her a friend. I got another female but shes mean and i heard that males are sweet, relaxed, and big they are like a little dog =].

I'm thinking about trading the lil mean one for a male. Theres no way i'm giving up Kiwi but shes lonely she needs a male and if i get one he needs to get fixed. So wat should i do???

Answer 1

if u want a rat that will just sit and relax with u then get a male. if you want to get a friend for your rat i would get a female. cause i dont think u can find anyone that fix a rat. you could do it yourself.

Answer 2

up to you

Answer 3

I don't think a vet would perform a neutering procedure on a rat... they can't handle the anesthetics that cats and dogs can. A male is more relaxed, but that's no fun. I only get female rodents because they're more active and fun to play with. Plus male rats have very large testicles and that always bothered me a little bit...lol

Answer 4

There is no guarantee that a male will be more relaxed and sweet. Every rat has it's own personality. Please try to work with the rat you already have. How is she mean?

If you get a male you will need to find an experienced small animal vet to have him neutered. Remember that you need to wait at least five weeks after the neuter before trying to introduce them or he could still get her pregnant.

A better idea would be to spay the female since that has a lot of health benefits for them. Spaying female rats cuts down on the chances of benign mammary and pituitary tumors later in life and pretty much eliminates the chances of pyometra (uterine infection), all of which are common in unspayed females.

Answer 5

eewwwww

males have penises

=]

j/k

get a male and get him fixed, unless you want some babies. getting the male fixed would also cut down on some unpleasant smells

Answer 6

If you get a male rat as a friend to Kiwi, you should know that they would have to be separated for *at least* 5 weeks after neutering, to ensure that any active sperm have died.

Your best bet, in my opinion, is to keep on with the new little girl you've got. She may just be skittish because she's in a new environment with this strange other rat she doesn't know. Another idea is you could try having her spayed. I know a lot of rat owners claim their spayed females are much more docile afterward.

Additionally, to dispell any myths, you can get male rats neutered, however, please go to a vet that specialises in exotics, because it is a different procedure than is used for dogs and cats.

Answer 7

no no no no no no no no!!!! You will have millions of babies on your hands.

Is the female just mean to you or the other rat? Keep her though if she is just mean to you, you should handle her more and give her treats to help her adjust to you. Please don't give her away unless she is bullying the other rat. Fixing rats is a big operation and it not usually done.

I had a "mean" rat. She hated me touching her for months. But I kept at it, and now she rides on my shoulder wherever I go and she loves snuggling in my pocket, she is really sweet, sometimes they just need more time than others.

If you really cannot stand her, give her away to a loving home and try and find a rat that has been socialised. Look in the local paper or internet site for any local people looking for a home for their rat. We rehomed a female rat that had been abandoned by her previous owners and she is sooo cute. She sits on your knee for hours, she washes my hand, and LURRVES a good massage and scratch under her chin. She was a bit older than my other rats, and it took a while to introduce them but now they get on like a house on fire and she has really helped the others become more confident and docile. Females aren't ALL highly strung.

To introduce a new rat get them to meet in a neutral territory after two weeks of separation. YOu have to do this or the first rat will attack it. A good place is your bed or bathtub, or anywhere that doesn't smell too much like the first rat. They might have a little scuffle or two, but make the encounter short and as positive as you can with loads of treats. Get them to meet up like this for about 5-6 times, might take about a week or two. Once you notice them l*****g each other (affection) and play fighting (both standing up and then one pushing the other over and tickling or l*****g the other rat furiously but gently then you are good to go. Clean out the cage thoroughly and i found adding a tiny bit of bedding from both the rats cages helpful and place them in. Keep an eye on them but they should be fine.

Answer 8

Get a male.

They are such sweeties.

As soon as you get it though, get it desexed.

Answer 9

I have a male rat (Mooka) and never had any trouble with him but one thing you need to know is get one that is very young.

Answer 10

no dont they will breed,unless you get him fixed.but it coasts alot

Answer 11

If you get a male, get ready for a lot of rat babies.

Females are so much more territorial than male ratties.  Try putting them both in an empty bathtub (both will be out of their comfort zone and Kiwi won't be in her territory) and let them wander around.

They might fight still but they're trying to be the dominate female, most of the time it's just scuffling but if one starts screeching really loud or it's apparent that they're actually fighting, pull them a part and give them a breather.

Do this once a day for a little bit (but keep them separated afterward) and then try cleaning Kiwi's cage out really good (so her scent wont be on anything anymore) and put the new rat in for a few seconds, then put Kiwi in and see if they get along, usually at first they're so pre-occupied with sniffing around they wont fight with each other.