Why Rats Need Company

I have often heard people say; “Oh, my son’s rat is very happy and not at all lonely. He’s never in his cage.” No? What about when the son is asleep or at school? That’s an average of 15 hours a day the rat spends all alone. Rats are gregarious animals that thrive with other rat company. Two rats will be able to play with each other, groom each other, sleep next to each other and keep each other warm - things a human cannot provide. Also, rats talk to each other using noises that are higher than the human hearing range. Many people think that a single rat will bond better with her human than a group or pair, but this is nonsense, as you will find out if you own two. A human just cannot stand in for another rat. For example, would you be willing to get up in the middle of the night to play, which is when rats are most active? Or lick behind her ears?
Having a companion is proven to greatly reduce stress as well. Just imagine spending your whole life in a cage on your own, with only someone who is hundreds of times bigger than you for company, and who doesn’t even speak your language?

This is by no means a completely hard and fast rule, there are occasionally rats that prefer their own company, but remember it should their choice not yours.

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