Are Rats Better in Pairs Or Alone?
WouterRats are social animals and prefer to live with other rats in pairs or groups. In the wild, they live in large family groups. While they are more likely to live in pairs, they are also capable of living alone. Rats have a complex social hierarchy and are more likely to live in pairs than alone. This is an important consideration for new owners of rat pets.
Rats are most active at night. They can be noisy and may not want to keep you up at night. A breeding pair may produce anywhere from 140 to 200 offspring per year. However, breeding plans need to be carefully planned and managed. Rats are different in personality, so the decision whether to raise a pair or raise a rat alone should be based on your needs and your goals.
If you have a pair of rats, you should introduce them to each other. Initially, they might be shy and unfriendly, but with enough time, they will be tame and affectionate. For example, if one of the rats is shy, hand-feeding and frequent handling will quickly win them over. Stick the other rat up a sweater or remove it from the cage for short periods of time.
The ideal number of rats is whatever you can reasonably care for. Remember that they need play and love, and overtaxing them will cause them stress and poor quality of life. If you have several rats, start small and gradually increase the number.
