Rats?

[Coral]

Originally Posted by babyboos

Correct me if I am wrong guys but I was always led to believe quite strongly that rats are social like dwarf hamsters and must have company of their own kind.

That's correct for the most part. Rats are very sociable animals, and while humans can give them alot of the attention they need, people like to sleep at night, and - more often than not - rats like to be awake. Company of their own kind is vital to some rats.



Coco came from a rescue with her brother (the rescue was disastrous, and told me they were both girls ). When we split them, she completely retreated into herself. She acted both very very scared, and very very lonely. Then, we got her 3 friends, and within minutes, she was as happy as anything .



Rats like grooming each other, playing together, and sleeping together in one big pile . They can't do that if they're on their own.



Saying that, some rats actually prefer to be on their own. They might get on well with people, but not other rats. My boy, Sammy, is an example of this. I've tried him with other rats, and he is instantly aggressive. I think, however, this is a result of him being split from other rats when he was very very young, and simply knowing no different that to be on his own. Not sure, as I don't know his history, but it's a theory.

Originally Posted by babyboos

they are just as smelly as some hamsters can be if not potty trained and cleaned out regulalrly enough

Yep, that's right too. Like any animal, they get smelly if not cleaned out regularly enough. Girls are more easy to litter train than boys, although boys catch on too. This is simply what I've found - others may have different opinions .

[furrynavel]

Originally Posted by Coral

[My boy, Sammy, is an example of this. I've tried him with other rats, and he is instantly aggressive. I think, however, this is a result of him being split from other rats when he was very very young, and simply knowing no different that to be on his own. Not sure, as I don't know his history, but it's a theory.

My first boy Jake was very aggressive to other rats aswell, but a lovely 'people' rat. I have had to get my three boys neutered because they were ripping each other to shreds. They are now big fat squisy beanbag boys who love each other

My boys definately smell worse than the girls, but I try to spot clean daily and totally change the beddinag a couple of times a week.