Why do poeple insist on keeping lone rats?

I think it is the thought of having to double the cost, not truly understanding how important a friend is, and wanting just ONE. I know I was at first bummer end about having to get two. I wanted to devote all my time to just one. I was worried he would be more interested in playing with the other rat then in me. But seeing how they interact, how playful and snuggly they are, I would never dream of keeping one. In fact, I am sad I even considered that.

And because of the fact that they won't DIE without a friend gives people an easy excuse. But if you truly want a happy pet, you would at least try to understand it.

I feel bad for those that keep just one (especially those who have so little time) because they think that they can be their rat's ratty friend. But human attention isn't the same.

It's too bad. I hate seeing that in social animals. I had sugar gliders, and I don't see how people can have only one (though sugar gliders will actually harm themselves/die without a friend).

Some people think that rats don't need to socialize with other rats. They do not understand that rats are extremely social creatures. I used to keep a lone rat, and she did fine. After my rat died, I got two more rats, and these two rats did not just do fine, they did great! I have seen first hand how having two rats is better than one. Anyone who INSISTS on only keeping one rat doesn't know what they're doing. They don't understand rats, and also, they think that having two rats is twice the work, when really it isn't. And if you love rats, it isn't work at all.

Because those people dont ACTUALLY care about their pets. They are just delusional and think they do haha.

If you actually care about a pet, you do everything you can to keep them happy, healthy and loved. And you research the pet to find out their needs and how to care for them. Some people jare just selfish and get pets as toys without knowing anything about them.

It makes me so depressed thinking about rats that don't have a cagemate. My girls love eachother so much I couldn't even imagine what they would do without eachother :(

I totally agree with you. It is the same with selfish people who have just one guinea pig and claim they are its friend. Some people just do not care enough to research before getting animals.

Who cares if it upsets you, i don't. I've got a solitary rat now and had one for years. I always keep them by themsleves and they are perfectly happy. Why do I do it? Because I only want one, that a good enough answer for you miss save the rat world?