What are Some Tips on Buying New Rats?

Question

I asked a similar question a little while back, but I would like some more answers.

My current rat, Elsa, is all alone. I know how bad it is to keep a rat alone, but unfortunately my parents wouldn't let me get two. Now, I won't take 'no' for an answer. I feel terrible for my rat, who I call a little ball of fur and energy, when I see her sitting alone in her cage with nothing to do. I am desperate to have her life end surrounded with her rat friends, not alone in her cage. I would like some tips on getting a new rat.

First, if I can convince my mom, I'm thinking about buying two more rats. This means, I'll be owning three rats (this is simply because if my current rat dies, since she is getting old, I don't want to end up with another alone rat). How different is owning three rats from owning one? Do I take them out all at once when playing, or one at a time? Should I just get one more rat, or do you think I could handle three? Any other tips?

Next, I don't know what age is reasonable for my new rats. My current rat is about one year old. I was hoping to get younger rats, so that they have a long life ahead of them. Is it okay to put an older rat with younger ones? Any tips to keep the younger rat safe? Should I just get more older rats?

Lastly, names! I'm not sure if I'm going to get more rats, or even when. However, I would appreciate some name ideas now. I am terrible at coming up with names (when we got my current rat, Elsa, she remained nameless for about 5 hours after we got her). I like names that describe natural things (Elsa is the name of a moon, for example. I mostly like names that describe natural things on Earth, though). The rats would be female too, of course. I would really appreciate some name ideas!

Thank you so much for your help!
:)

Sourav · Accepted Answer

hello friend
i will answer your questions one by one 
1.you could get 3 rats if possible.if you can take care of them properly that is.have a big cage give them good diet.etc.
rats are social animals.so the more the number the happy they are.so for them 3 is better than 2.
take all of them at once.rats feel comfortable in numbers than alone.
one more thing give all of them same importance.do not let anyone feel neglected over others.

2.now for the age if you get a new pair.then if possible get sisters of the same litter.two advantages here.firstly they will have more or less equal life span.also they will bond well.6-7 weeks old onwards is best.
female rats are not as territorial as the males.if you have your old cage then keep elsa there and the new pair in the new cage for a few days.get elsa and your new rats in a neutral ground.let them interact and keep a watch for fights.after a few days they will bond very well.then keep all in one cage.

3.they are your friends its best you give them names.whatever name you think best you give them.

4.try this its a cage size calculator.i personally think the size you have given is ok for 3 rats.
http://www.rattycorner.com/odds/calc.shtml
take care :)

? · Answer

Separate cages at first, because they may not like each other . Rats are pretty territorial.

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What are Some Tips on Buying New Rats?

2 Answers