Are rats happy alone?

[redsox9]

Our rat, Lily, is about 3 mos. old. She gets lots of attention and affection, and she loves being around her people. However, when I got her the breeder told me that it's best to have just one. He said you can damage a rat's "socialization" if you put it in with another rat who's more outgoing or attention-getting.

I've read contrary things in different rat care books, so I thought I'd ask the experts-rat owners! What do other rat owners recommend for the happiness of their ratties? Also, she gets bored with her toys mighty fast...any suggestions for interesting and fun rat toys?

[Jenny]

Hi! I've had rats and mice in the past, though none currently. I have to disagree with the breeder and say that they are happier with another companion for the most part. Even if they get lots of human attention, they still like being around each other. I don't know if this website mentions toys for rats or not, but it's very interesting! It's www.dapper.com.au/ When I had mice I got a huge cardboard box and cut holes in it and attatched pipes that they could run through. Then I made ladders and platforms in the box from scrap wood, and added cardboard roles and other fun things to play with and lastly, I hid treats around for them to find. They loved it!

[redsox9]

Thanks, Jenny. I appreciate your answering my question, and the box sounds like a lot of fun! I'll also try the website!

[Amanda]

Hi. We recently got our son 2 rats and we were told that they are better off having another rat in the cage for company as they are extremely social animals. My son takes his rats out of the cage daily but whenever he puts them back in the cage, they always snuggle together. As far as toys, we got a ferret hammock for the rats and they love to sleep in it. Also, they have boxes and cardboard tubes in the cage which they love to go in and out of. The cage we have has 3 levels and we bought a wooden ladder (we got our from the bird section at the petstore) so they can either go up the ladder or climb the cage bars. One other thing that was a bit hit with them is the plastic colander (I bought it at the dollar store) and we attached it to one corner of the cage (top level). They love going in there and looking down -- they use it like a balcony. For the most part, I think you can find just about anything that you are no longer using and make it into a toy for them.

Good luck with your rat. They are really great pets.

P.S. I posted pictures of my son's rats (Gary & Taz) in the Picture Section under "Here they are...".

[mzdolittle]

I have dig boxes for my rats. I put either play sand or potting soil with no vermiculite or other weird stuff in a large plastic shoebox. I hide treats in the sand or dirt and let the rats hunt for them. I also take toilet paper tubes and put shredded paper and treats in them and smoosh the ends together and wrap yarn around the whole thing. They love "undoing" them to get to the treats. My rat babies also like chasing pom poms around on my bed or in their playpen. They chase feathers around as I drag them, too. I have 3/4 inch cotton rope strung around for them to climb on.

[redsox9]

Today we made Lily a "duplex", using a taller cage that I had. I put a soft, furry ferret bed on the top like a sleeping bag, with toys hidden in the blanket. Then I shredded different kinds of paper and let her have a ball. I love the idea of dig boxes...Lily has a rope that she climbs and hangs from, then she gets this expression on her face like, "Wheee!" and jumps down.

This afternoon we went to the same breeder and purchased a new rat baby. She is five weeks old, and we named her Violet. She is black and white and fuzzy. The breeder said to let them be separate for a few days and then switch them in and out of each other's cages to get used to each other's smell. Then he said they can have supervised playtime together until I know how they'll be ... Lily is quite a bit larger. At that point, I plan on buying a bigger "funhouse" that I saw at the local Petsmart.

One thing that worries me, MzD, is that Violet seems a lot noisier than Lily. She seems to talk to herself, and when we first got her home, she erupted into violent sneezes. Now she seems fine, but I'm hoping she is healthy. She shows all the signs of a healthy and lively rat, and the breeder guarantees her. She's so cute...I hope they work out together!

[mzdolittle]

Sometimes stress can make a rat wheeze or sneeze. Most rats carry a respiratory illness that can stay dormant and only shows itself occasionally. To be on the safe side, whenever I bring home a new rat, I treat it and the rest of mine with terramycin for about 4-5 days. It is a powder and the dosage is 1/2 teaspoon for 8 ounces of water. I also give my rats echinacea drops ( the children kind without alcohol) during the colder months. I put a couple drops in the water bottle for the first 15 days of each month. It's works on them like it does on humans. If you use it all the time, it loses its effectiveness. I have heard of people giving their rats a drop or two each day straight out of the dropper, too. Supposedly, the rats like the taste.

[redsox9]

Well, I was reading about their respiratory system, and the illness they can carry from birth. Unfortunately, this little rat was wheezing so hard last night, that I was scared to put her near Lily. This morning she had developed a greenish-yellow nasal discharge and diarrhea. I called the breeder and he suggested I bring her back, so he can treat her in what he calls his "sick bay". He said that it would be better for me to choose a different rat, especially because Lily is a large girl and little Violet is a medium rat whom he suspects will be a "runt". I felt sad leaving her, but at least she will be treated and cared for until she's well enough to go to someone new. I think I will use your advise when I do bring home a new rat. Also, echinacea works well for my kids, so I think I'll also try it for Lily.

Thanks!

[~Ruby~Eyes~]

I have a lot of expierience with rats and while I have had just 1 rat, it is better to have them in pairs of 2. Currently I have 3 living together and trust me it does not work out well in pairs of 3. I should have listend to that old saying "3's a croud" :p Make sure if you buy a new rat that you put it in another cage for about 1 week so it does not pass on any illnesses to your other rattie ;)

[Whiskers]

Even though you got many replies.... I have spoke to many rat experts and I know much about rats my self and I have to say "Nonononono!! No!" Rats are very very social animals and can get depressed if alone, I would sudgest getting 2 at LEAST.