Do I Need Two Rats Or Four?
WouterWhen you’re thinking about getting a pet rat, you may wonder, “Do I need two or four?” The answer depends on how much time and energy you want to devote to caring for more than two. Two rats is a great number to start with and will satisfy your rat’s social needs while reducing the amount of care you need to do.
Although having two rats is great, it can have some disadvantages. For example, if your first rat dies, the surviving rat may not survive. This can cause depression in the surviving rat, and can even lead to the death of that rat. In such a case, it’s a good idea to get additional cage mates for your surviving rat. This bonding time will help your original rat recover from the loss of its cage mate.
In addition, you may want to add another pair of juvenile rats. Younger rats have more energy than older ones and are more likely to play. Keeping a lone juvenile in a group of older rats can result in loneliness, and adult rats may become irritated with the juveniles’ attempts to play. This is why it’s better to keep your young rats in pairs.
Keep in mind that two rats will need a larger cage than one. The additional space will allow you to set up the cage properly and provide enrichment opportunities for the animals. Two rats will also need more room to run around, which is important for their health and well-being.
