Can You Put Rats and Hamsters Together?

If you’re thinking of bringing your two pet rodents home together, it’s probably best to introduce them separately. While young rats aren’t the best candidates for putting together, you can still introduce them to each other. The first meeting should take place on neutral territory. Once the two animals are acquainted, you can place them together in a cage. However, if only one of them has lived in the cage for a few days, you should clean out the cage before introducing the other.

Rats and hamsters have very different personalities. Hamsters are territorial and aggressive toward perceived enemies and are often hostile toward members of their own species. Rats, on the other hand, are tame and more laid-back. A hamster that is aggressive toward a rat can bite it and inflict great damage.

Rats and hamsters aren’t suitable for mixed pets. Their size and chromosome counts are different, and they don’t like each other. Rats need a smaller cage than hamsters do. A single male rat will need a 25 x 12.5-inch cage.

Rats are also more sociable than hamsters, and they love people. They may bite, but this will stop with regular handling. Likewise, they will learn where their food is, and they may learn to come to you when you call them.