I want another rat...

[Christmas_Hamster]

If you want a female then maybe neutering your boy would be best although if you got a girl and got her spayed then you would be lowering her chances of getting mammory (sp?) tumours. Good luck with what ever you decide. My 'rat Bible' (stealing your word muddy4paws) is www.goosemoose.com

[moosmom]

Winkie has been with me for almost a year. I rescued him from Petco when they were gonna sell him as a feeder. I was appalled. I brought him home and I adore him!!

I just thought he might be lonely. I try to let him run around all I can when I'm home. His *ahem* testicles are quite large and I thought about having him neutered. But since his life span is so short I figured why bother.

I'd LOOOOOOVE a couple of baldies. I have a thing for pets without fur.

[Genny]

I didn't know you could spay/neuter rats!

[Christmas_Hamster]

Yep its becoming more popular especially with the health benefits!

Well try finding some young nekkid rats then! What I would do for another rat...a hairless rat. *dreams*

[Miss Z]

Aw Donna, that would be so cute if Winkie had a friend. I know you have to have quite a lot of time on your hands to keep a single rattie happy.

I've only ever seen one (neutered) male and a female kept as pair, and I must say that poor bloke looked a bit hen-pecked! Male and female rats have pretty different personalities, to generalise them; females are an awful lot more active and on their toes whereas the males can be more laid back (heh, the same in all species! ). I know Flossie would be hell for a calm rattie to live with, she is boistrous like no other and would want to play chase and pin-me-down for a good 23 hours of the day! Tia was never so, but then Tia was aggressive to her own kind, so her playfulness did not come out in the same way.

As far as neutering goes, I wouldn't reccommend it on small creatures. It is unnecessary strain on a tiny heart, even though many small animal operations are successful these days. Spaying is more intravenous, which in turn equals more stress, but the positive of that is you lessen considerably the chances of mammary and pituatary tumours, and well, I know how mch heartache they cause... whether, if it was my decision, I'd spay Flossie, I cannot be sure. It's weighing up risks, really.

Winkie would probably do best with two younger male partner, as Holly said, adults can be difficult to get together, and with two little ones who already know each other, Winkie will be bound to want to join up with them! Of course, that does mean taking on three rats, but then again who can resist their sweet little faces

[moosmom]

Thanks for all the great advice!! I'm going to wait. Next time, I'll get a pair of babies.