Should I get a cagemate for Bianca?

"Tiger Spot" <tiger_spot.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3f5c04b5.1594939@ext-news.cc.utexas.edu...
> On Mon, 08 Sep 2003 02:46:56 GMT, "K Dog" <kd.RemoveThis@dontspamme.com> wrote in
> <A4S6b.88507$bo1.51767@news-server.bigpond.net.au>:
>
> >I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for my female white albino rat being in
her
> >cage on her own as she seems so lonely and she sleeps there practically
all
> >day. I play around with her a lot, my nan says I'm a tad bit rough with
her
> >but she seems to crave the attention. She could have a cagemate,
preferrably
> >another girl but maybe it could be a white male, then she could breed
with
> >the male and produce some of her own younguns.
> >
> >What should I get, another white male or a white female?
>
> You should get another female. If male and female rats are kept in
> the same cage, they will breed much too frequently. Not only will you
> have entirely too many young rats to find homes for, but Bianca's
> health will suffer. A female companion will be a much simpler choice.
>
>
> -- Theresa
> tiger_spot(at)hotmail.com

I agree with theresa. We used to breed rats, they're very good at it. As
soon as the babies are delivered the males start pestering the females
again. Also they can kill the babies - not necessarily by biting but just by
squashing them. Once a baby is injured you can get cannibalism.The females
spend too much time avoiding the males and ignore the babies.
They do like companionship, they're intelligent animals, so get another
female.
I know how exciting it is to breed babies but fight off the impulse. You''ll
get to a stage where you have to get rid or start having to buy new cages.
Male rats smell pretty awful too
I prefer males to females, nicer personalities. But multi males only get on
if they've grown up together
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