My male rat needs a friend. Should I neuter him to get another?

Question

I was just wondering, is it a good idea to neuter a pet rat? I have a boy and I would like to get another one. I read that it isn't recommended to keep two boys together. Is it better to get him neutered and get a girl or try my luck with another boy? Pet's info: Small Animal | Rat | Male | unneutered | 10 months and 16 days old | 1lb

Penelope Graben, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello! I would recommend having all male pet rats neutered. The surgery for neutering male rats is easier and less invasive than in female rats. Intact male rats will likely fight with other male rats and mate with any females (which leads to a LOT of babies) and neither behavior is ideal for companion pets! I would suggest having Ted neutered then introducing him to a friend a couple of weeks after he has recovered from the procedure. I often urge people to try fostering when they are adding pets. This allows you to introduce the two animals and ensure they get along well before you commit to adoption. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

My male rat needs a friend. Should I neuter him to get another?

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