want a pet rat but...?

If you can get one rat, why not get two? They most definitely are much happier with one or more other rats, and it is believed that they actually can and will get sick, sometimes to the point of death, from loneliness (it actually is proved that rats can become depressed). So if there is a specific reason you can only get one, I would really recommend not getting any at all. If you get two (or more! Haha) good luck! Thank you for being a responsible enough person not to just buy a pet to make you happy, and not care about its needs. Hope I helped!

Here's a link to a good YouTube video put together by someone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDy3bMRuobE

I'm also a full time tertiary student and I have four rats :P

I'd recommend getting two because then they can keep each other company when you're not around. Plus, it's really fun to watch them interact with each other. I've seen rats kept alone and yeah they seem happy. Some rats prefer being alone but I'd say most get lonely and a bit depressed. They won't love you or bond with you any less as a pair than a single one would. I've heard that some single rats are even harder to bond with because they become withdrawn and nervous. On the other hand, my boyfriend's old rat couldn't be kept with others as he was aggressive towards them and was really really close with my bf. So, your choice. I'd suggest that if you're going for a single rat, get a boy. All the single girls I've had got depressed but I've seen quite a few males who are happier on their own. (Just want to clarify that my girls only become single if their cagemate dies so that could be why they get depressed).

If you can find a rattery in your area, I would recommend that you get one from there. Rats bred in a Rattery have excellent health, and less instance of tumors. We breed to improve the overall health, the temperament, and color. I can trace my rats background for several generations back. I have never had a single adopter tell me that a rat bred here in my home has had any form of cancer. So rats from a Rattery are generally in better health.

As a breeder I will not adopt out single rats, unless you've got a rat, or rats at home. Rats naturally live in large groups called a Mischief. Rats left to live alone often become depressed and or psychotic, and often their health suffers as a result of the depression. It's just not in a rats nature to live a life alone!

So please if you consider getting one, please get her a pal!

You can look on www.ratster.com for a rattery in your area, or you can check with the American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association.

we've the two one among them. My daughter has a albino lavender king snake plus we've 11 rats. some in spite of the fact that rats are up for adoption. we don't stay feed her (snake) and mice or rats in basic terms frozen fuzzies we get from a puppy save. We even have mice, Syrian hamsters, dwarf hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, cats, canines, cockatiels, some fish, a tarantula, an iguana, a wolf hybrid, a Pygmy goat and a pink sheep. they're stored at my abode and not in a shelter or puppy save.

Getting just one is rather cruel for them because most crave interaction. Sometimes you can get the odd one that won't get on with their cage-mate and you will need to separate but this is rare.

Rats are sociable and should be with their own kind, in a pair or more (more is usually best for females though) because they are social groomers, they like to play and chase each other around, they like the security and they'll also have the warmth.

That doesn't mean to say that they won't want to be with you any less, they will still enjoy their human climbing frame! :P

Rats are very social animals, although i've noticed that if they do have another rat friend than they aren't as interested in human contact. I'm also busy and can't always have my rat out all the time, so i'll usually just let him run around on my shoulders or my lap while i'm doing something else.

yah i dont think thats a good idea. im sure that you would give it lots of love when you got home but that little rat would get very lonely and sad.. Whenever i go see my rats they are Always together whether they are sleeping or eating and even drinking ... no joke when one goes to drink the other one comes and drinks at the same time.. its so cute haha.. Goodluck getting a new rat! (: hopefully two though.

y do u want just one?? they dont take up much room. a cage for one rat could be used as a cage for two. They get very lonely if ur not around and they dont have a partner. just get 2.

Rats are social animals so you should never get one by itself; they do get bored easily.

If you don't have time to give your animal attention, you shouldn't get an animal. As being a student is a top priority, wait until your studies are over before you consider giving animals a home.

Animals are only aggressive if they have been bred from aggressive animals, or have been abused. Please, never get one on its own.

Rats should be kept with a least one other rattie companion. They get bored and depressed. When i was a kid we had a rat on his own and he was fine too but now i have my boys i realised how much our old rat was missing, like someone to groom him or snuggle up to at night. Please get more than one =]