Companionship

Companionship

Rats don't want to be alone. It can make them bored and unhappy. So get your singleton some company - another rat to make a pair or a more-the-merrier group. Same-sex, preferably. Males and females can live happily together, but always neuter those males. Otherwise you'll end up with a lot more rats than you started with.

Rats kept together should ideally all be acquired at the same time. But if you're introducing new rats to an established group, gently does it. Let them get to know each other bit by bit on neutral ground. Then let the newcomers join the cage.