Why Can’t Rats Live Alone?
WouterIf you have a rat, you might be wondering why they can’t live alone. Humans are social animals, and they need to associate with other people. While many adult rats are tolerant of new cage mates, two older adult males can be tricky to introduce, if only because of their territorial behavior. If you want to introduce two adult males, be diligent during the intro period and monitor their behavior closely. If you see any aggressive behavior, try to break the interaction quickly.
Rats are social animals by nature, and in the wild, they live in large family groups. While they can live alone, they are happier when they are in groups or pairs. Even in captivity, rats prefer to be with one another. This is because rats enjoy company and social interactions, and living alone is stressful and uncomfortable for them.
Rats are not meant to live alone. Many laboratories refuse to keep them in isolated areas. This is considered unethical and is contrary to the best interests of laboratory animals. Moreover, pet owners should be just as concerned about the health of their companions as laboratory staff. Fortunately, there are ways to get your pet rat to live alone without causing it stress.
You should be aware that keeping two rats in the same cage may cost you more money than one rat. You’ll need to spend more on food and vet fees for two rats. However, the extra expense will not be much in comparison to the quality of life for the animals.
