Adult Rats: Solo Travel Or Group Trek?

Rats are social animals that live in large family groups in the wild. In captivity, they live a more natural life if kept in pairs or small same-sex groups. They can get depressed and develop abnormal behaviour if they live on their own, even with lots of human contact. Rats that live together can play, groom, and sleep together. They can also fight, but this is rare and usually occurs when rats are first introduced to each other. When travelling, it is better to take pet rats with you if possible, as they can get stressed if left alone for long periods.

Rats are social creatures and need the company of other rats

Rats use their sense of smell to recognise others, finding out where they've been and what they've been doing. They can get depressed and develop abnormal behaviour if they live on their own, even with lots of human contact. Rats kept with other rats are just as friendly with people.

Rats are highly intelligent and can excel at learning and understanding concepts. They have excellent memories and, once they learn a navigation route, they never forget it. They are also fastidiously clean, grooming themselves several times a day.

Rats are affectionate and will bond with their human guardians, returning as much affection as is given to them. They will often "groom" a human companion's hand and appreciate a massage, a scratch behind the ears, or a tickle in return. Rats can bond with their human companions to the point that if they are suddenly given away or forgotten, they can pine away and even die.

Rats can develop abnormal behaviour if they live alone

Rats are social creatures and need the company of other rats. They are highly social animals and gain a lot of enjoyment and stimulation from being around other rats. In the wild, they live in large family groups, so in captivity, it is more natural for them to be kept in pairs or small groups.

Rats use their sense of smell to recognise others and find out what they've been doing and where they've been. They can play together, chase each other, groom each other, sleep in a heap, play tug-of-war with food, and wrestle. If a rat wants peace and quiet, it can go off by itself, but if it wants company, it has friends readily available.

Rats can get depressed and develop abnormal behaviour if they live on their own, even if they have lots of human contact. They can become bored and lonely when their human companions are asleep, at work, or out of the house. Single rats may develop behavioural problems, becoming introverted and hiding away, or getting clingy and neurotic. They may even start to self-mutilate by chewing their fur or skin. This is similar to humans developing mental health issues when kept in solitary confinement.

Keeping rats in pairs or small groups is an easy way to give your pets better lives. Rats living together have more full and interesting lives than single rats, as they have many more experiences available to them. Rats are not designed to live happily alone.

Rats can get depressed if they live alone

Rats are social creatures and, as such, they can get depressed and develop abnormal behaviour if they live on their own—even when they have lots of contact with people. They use their sense of smell to recognise others, finding out about where they've been and what they've been doing.

Pet rats need to be able to play and interact with other rats constantly. Lonely pet rats can get bored and suffer from stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. They can also become aggressive towards their owners or other pet rats. If they are aggressive towards their owner, the best thing to do is back off and let them have some space. If they are aggressive towards other pet rats, it's best to separate them to avoid any violent incidents.

If a pet rat lives alone with no other rodents around, it will begin to feel lonely. A lonely pet rat will eventually give up on life: they will stop grooming themselves, they will stop eating, and eventually die from health complications related to this.

However, it should be noted that some rats do prefer to live alone. For example, one rat owner shared that their rat, Herbie, liked to live alone and would scream if other rats came near him. Another rat, Peanut, stopped eating, lost weight, and became depressed when introduced to a group of other male rats. When moved back to his old cage alone, he thrived and gained weight.

Therefore, while rats are typically social creatures that need the company of other rats, there are some outliers that prefer to live alone.

Rats can be taken on car trips

Firstly, you should get a quality, escape-proof carrier. The carrier should be rigid, well-ventilated, and secure to prevent your rat from escaping. It should also be small enough that your rat feels safe and secure but large enough that they don't feel suffocated. Hard-sided travel carriers made from solid plastic work well and provide your rat with some privacy, making them feel like they're in a safe little burrow. If you're going on a long car journey, a soft-sided travel carrier may be more comfortable. Make sure there are no gaps that your rat could squeeze through and avoid using cardboard, as rats can easily chew through it.

Before your trip, you should get your rat familiar with its travel carrier. During playtime, leave the door to the carrier open so your rat can enter it on its own, enticing them with their favourite treats and toys. Once they're comfortable, put them in the carrier with their favourite treat or toy for a few minutes at a time and gradually increase the time until they're used to staying in there for at least 30 minutes. Then you can start taking them on some short practice runs in the car, gradually increasing the length of the rides.

On the day of travel, make sure the car is an appropriate temperature—it should be around the same temperature as your rat's home. Don't leave your rat unattended in the car, especially on a hot day, and ensure the air-con/heat vents aren't blowing directly onto the carrier. Pack extra food and supplies, like towels, bedding, and blankets, and strap the rat's carrier into the car with a seatbelt or place it securely on the floor behind a seat.

During the journey, check up on your rat often and look for signs of overheating, such as lethargy, reluctance to move around, loss of interest in food, and drinking more than normal. Rats cannot stand temperatures of over 25ºC, so if they get too hot, you'll need to take them to a cooler place and dampen their ears and tail with cool water.

After the journey, recreate your rat's normal environment by putting them back in their usual cage and offering them the same food and treats they're used to. Keep a close eye on their health, as rats that experience high levels of stress are more prone to getting sick.

Rats can be left alone for a weekend

Rats are social creatures and need the company of other rats. They are highly intelligent and require stimulation and company to stay happy and healthy. While it is not recommended to leave them alone for a whole week, most sources agree that it is fine to leave them alone for a weekend.

If you are leaving your rats alone for a couple of days, there are some precautions you can take to ensure they are safe and happy. Firstly, make sure they have enough food and water for the duration of your absence. It is recommended to have two water bottles, in case one leaks or runs out. You can also give them extra food and new toys to keep them entertained. Cleaning their cage before you leave will also help to prolong its freshness.

If you are concerned about leaving your rats alone, you could ask a neighbour or friend to check in on them, or take them to a friend's house. If you are going away for longer than a weekend, it is advised to have someone check in on your rats or take them with you.

Frequently asked questions