VERY cute rodent! (Interesting how UABassoon didn't get HER head bit off when she suggested a friend for Stewart though, only 3 posts into this "new" thread...... )

The expense of a second rat is minimal - you already have all the supplies, so paying for a little more food each week would be well worth it to see the two of them bonding, cuddling, and enjoying each other's company. Caged animals can't come and seek you out when they are lonely, like house roaming pets do, so they are so much happier with a buddy. I've been the "granny" to a long line of ratties for a few years now and have seen firsthand how it benefits them to live in pairs or groups.