It is important for pet rats to have same-species company because they are social animals by nature. Rats are highly intelligent and social creatures that thrive in the presence of other rats. Interacting with their own kind allows rats to engage in important social behaviours, such as grooming, playing, and communicating.

 

While humans can provide love, care, and companionship to pet rats, they cannot fully replace the company of other rats. Rats have unique ways of interacting and communicating with each other that humans cannot replicate. They need to be allowed the opportunity to form social bonds with other rats and to engage in natural behaviours, which is essential for their overall well-being and mental stimulation.

 

Additionally, rats benefit from the presence of other rats in terms of learning and development. They learn from each other through observation and imitation, which helps them acquire important skills and learn certain behaviours. Without the company of other rats, they may experience loneliness, boredom, and even depression.

 

Therefore, it is imperative to provide your pet rats with same-species company to ensure their social and emotional needs are met.

 

It is also important to plan ahead to avoid lone-rat situations in the future. I reiterate the information above, as it is so important to understand that since rats are such highly social animals that thrive in the company of their own kind, keeping them solitary can lead to loneliness, boredom, depression and illness. They absolutely need companionship from other rats. 

Planning ahead involves considering the social dynamics of your group and understanding how they form their own social groups.

 

If you are getting rats for the first time, or if you currently don’t have any rats, you are encouraged to start with a trio (3) as this proves to work better in terms of group dynamics and social stimulation. 

To ensure you don’t end up in a lone-rat situation, it’s then advised to create a rolling rat group. This means introducing 2-3 new rats to the existing group every 12-15 months, allowing them to establish social hierarchies and new bonds, following the recommended introduction method ‘The Carrier Method’. 

If you insist that you only want a pair of rats, then you must agree to add 2-3 rats to your pair sooner; at around 6-8 months old. 

 

You also need to consider the space and resources needed for a rolling rat group. Providing an adequately sized cage with plenty of enrichment, toys, and resources to encourage natural behaviours ensures that each rat has enough space and stimulation. 

Regular monitoring of the group dynamics and providing appropriate care and enrichment is important to maintain a harmonious and happy rat group.