Which gender of rat should I get?

Question

I am probably going to get a couple of rats soon. This will be my first time owning rats. Which gender would probably best suit me??

Answer 1

get two males if you want calm and relaxed rats they are probably best.

if you want more energetic and excitable rats get females.

i would personally go with the two males.

you cant get just one because they will get lonely and you can guess what happens if u get a male and female.

Answer 2

i would get 2 males bc females bite when they get ready to have there babies

Answer 3

Get one or two females. They are much less territorial and aggressive than males.

Answer 4

i have 2 male rats. dont listen to the people who say that 2 males will fight. ok so some might but mine will scrap a little but thats it and they arent agressive

Answer 5

I commend you on getting two rats instead of one.  Rats are highly sociable creatures and need to be in groups, not alone.

As for choosing a s*x, it really depends on what you're looking for.  Males tend to be more lazy and calm.  They might fall asleep in your lap and allow you to hold and pet them.  They can get quite large.  Males are also known for marking their territory with drops of pee.  Some say this can make them smellier than girls, but many on this forum do not find their males smelly at all.

Girls are much more active and curious.  Mine do not like to be held and would much rather crawl all over you.  They are probably not going to lay in your lap, as they much rather explore other areas.  Females are likely to develop mammary tumors as they get older and you might have removed.

You shouldn't get one of each s*x.  Even if you got one neutered or spayed, it's an expensive and invasive procedure.

You really can't go wrong either way.  Rats have been by far my favorite pet (next to maybe a dog).  When you finally do decide to purchase a couple, check out your local humane society.  They are usually similarly priced, and when they do get rats in, the poor guys are usually at the shelter for months and months.  You'll be giving rats a new home and helping the animal shelter save more animals in the future vs giving money to a big corporate pet store.

Since you are new to owning rats, I've included some great sites to check out.  Make sure you really do your research; rats can live up to 5 years in some cases, so you really want to be sure you can make that kind of commitment.

Hope that helps!

Answer 6

Well it depends on what u want i have two females and they are very sweet but they do like exploring better then sitting on my lap most of the time. If you want a calmer pet i would get two males although they are rambunctious when they are young. Adult females are more easily introduced to a new female where as adult males are harder to introduce to new males. Adult males are often known to fight with each other even if they have been together there entire life. Where as females don't fight as often.If you get a female and a male you will have tons of babies. Don't put a female and a male together!

Answer 7

it depends on what your looking for in a rat. if you want a funny little rat that plays and makes you laugh i would get two femails, but if you want a pet that loves you cuddles and is a lap rat I would get two males, they love to be with you and if you give them enough space they will not be territorial. the only down fall of males is they mark there territory with a few drops of pee but not alot like dogs. if you get them neautured they live longer, reduces there chances of getting cancer and or tumors, and makes them less agressive. the choice is up to you but i hope you get a rat they make great pets!

Answer 8

I had 2 male rats. I think males are better because they are less agressive. Plus they don't go in heat.

Answer 9

start with whatever you want. heres some hints

males aren't as territorial as females, but they are bigger and eat a little more, and kinda lazy

females are more active, but more tempermental, so they do have their bad day(s).

depending on the rat, some will be more shy and some won't. just like people. active, lazy, patient, hyper, bad temper, fine temper, longer/shorter life span. all are different.

if you want to know what gender, i suggest the female. and like i said, they all have different temperments. of course, if you get multiple females, try only 2 or 3 in a cage. they can get kinda moody.

lol. goodluck with that

ps.

Mist, my baby right now, LOVES to be held. she has this one spot on her neck that just paralizes her (not literaly, but still) lol

i just added this because the people above say females don't sit still. they do. you just have to get them to trust you enough before they do.

also, rats are easy to train. so have fun with that too

Answer 10

i got a male but he's on his own :(

my bro has 2 male though, they were brothers, but one killed the other

go for 2 girls

Answer 11

whatever you do, get two of the same gender!!!!!  I have heard males make a little bit better lap pets......look under reptiles for some of the other answers posted to similar Qs!

Answer 12

never only get one rat they get sad and depressed and sometimes die... also get two females. two males will fight and a male and  a female.... u'll end up with about 20 lil' pups...i suggest a aquarium cage... a glass cage. and rats are very smart so make mazes and stuff to do. if u get 2 rats that have never met it's fine but for the first week or so they wont have much to do with each other, but dont be concerned.

They will bond. and their cage will stink alot because there is 2 of them, so clean their cage 2 times a week. i'd suggest usin a scoop of some sort to clean with. they also need alot of hard things to chew on and lil' toys to play with.they eat almost everythin and need shelter like a plastic igloo or something to sleep in. they also like ferret hammocks that hang.i hope all the info helped u out alot..... remember, give them attention!!!!