Clover & Bourbon - A female and a male rat
With rat care the question often arises as to whether it is better to get boy or girl rats and what are the differences between them.
In the world of rats it is generally the case that males are larger and become more cuddly as they mature, than females who tend to remain more active throughout their lives. Though there are always exceptions to every rule and while I have never had a particularly large female rat, I have had some small and active male rats.
Even with the general differences between the two sexes there is no change in the amount of affection they will show you. As with all animals, the more time and attention you give to your rats the closer the bond you will share with them. All rats will have their own unique way of showing you love, whether they groom your skin as if you had fur, or lie perfectly still while you do all the work, it is still love and will depend on a rats personality rather than gender.
Pippin - A male rat
The most important rule when choosing the gender of your rats is do not mix sexes unless you are planning to have one rat altered (castrated or spayed) this will lead to pregnancy. While the idea of baby rats may seem appealing, the reality is very different. You have to separate the parents to prevent further pregnancies and you will also need to find suitable homes for the babies and this is not as easy as it sounds.
What gender rats you get may be decided for you, by the breeder, pet shop or animal shelter you visit only having either males or females available, and this is great, especially if you really don’t mind. Or you may find that a pair of beady little eyes watching you from the cage steal your heart and then your decision is made for you.
Petal - A female rat
Other than size and temperament, which isn’t always a given, I have found little difference in rats between males and females. Scent marking (leaving small trails of urine) is something that is often attributed to rat males, but rat females can do it too. As a male rat matures his fur usually becomes coarser, but a happy and well kept boy rat is always beautiful and it should have no impact on your relationship with your rats.
Which ever gender you choose it will be up to you to encourage your rats to be the most confident, affectionate, and well trained rat companions they can be.
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There is an increasingly wide range of cages in all shapes and sizes available in pet shops and on line, but only a few of them are suitable for rats. The cage you choose is going to be your rats home for the next 2 - 3 years and it is important that they are safe in it and that they feel comfortable. In our own homes we have several rooms; somewhere to eat, our bedroom, the lounge and it is important to consider how and if you’ll be able to create separate environments for your rats in one cage.
The wire cage top serves many purposes in the enhancement of your rats home. I have always felt their biggest advantage is allowing them to climb, which is good exercise for your rats while they are in their home. Rats need a lot of exercise and their home will play an important part in their daily activity. Even if your rats are not very active, having hammocks and toys high up will stimulate them and give them an incentive to climb and build up their muscles. This is especially useful if you take the opportunity to change things around when you clean them out. They love exploring to see what you have changed.
Unfortunately even some of the biggest rat cages come with small doors, which I have never understood. Despite the size my rats have grown to, whether huge males that need two hands to hold them safely, or my smallest females who fit snugly in the palm of my hand, when that door opens all the rats who live in that cage will come pouring out at once and a large door is required to stop any injuries or upsets.
Things have changed so much over the years that most reputable pet shops will not sell lone rats. There are some people who still say that lone rats are more affectionate and bond with humans better, and while it may seem like this in some cases its not the full story. Anyone who has seen two or more rats interacting, grooming, or tussling with each other will see behavior that no amount of human interaction can replicate. On top of that there are those long lonely hours when the rat is left alone; school, work, social activities and of course every human needs to sleep.
that rats, just like humans, come in all shapes and sizes. The size they are as babies does not reflect the size they will be as adults. And while females are usually smaller than males, this is not a fixed rule. Don’t try and and put as many rats as you can into a cage, your rats will always appreciate a little extra space.
Rats are wonderful and intelligent creatures and sharing your home with them can be an amazing experience, but as a new rat owner it may be a daunting one. When my first rat joined my family 15 years ago I was ill prepared for the responsibility and I made mistakes in his care including keeping him as a lone rat. There was little advice available for a first time rat parent and the rat books I managed to find back then were hard to relate to as a new rat owner. They were addressed in a factual manner and didn’t explain or encourage me to think about my rats needs and behavior.
Even with everything I have learned and understand about rats, I remember what it was like to be a novice rat owner reading different advice in rat books, telling me facts but not helping me to understand why. It can be overwhelming, wanting to know what is best for your pet rats.
