Post by adoptaratcanada on Aug 12, 2007 14:42:26 GMT -4
In answering a post on another group about
getting new cage mates for a rat whose pal may
cross over soon, I was saying about the common
wisdom being to get new pals for the remaining
rat.
I've said it and I've often read in the rat
groups, "s/he'll be happier with a friend." I
think we tend to think that "happy" means that
they will all get along as well as the previous
rat, or that they will at least pal around or
take an interest in each other. I suspect we
tend to think of anything less than a failed
experiment, or that a rat is "unhappy" since
s/he may not have the same level as interaction
as previously.
Since rats are social animals, I think that even
if they aren't super-bonded to the new rat(s),
that even having other rats around the cage will
be a good thing for the original rat. Even if
the new ones seem to get on its nerves (but
obviously overly-stressed isn't a good thing).
I'm also thinking about this in relation to cats
I've had. I think that cats are generally happier
if they have another cat around (again, provided
there isn't WAY too much stress or aggression).
Littermates seems to be best.
Over the years, I've introduced kittens into the
home while there were older cats around. The
kittens were pests, of course, but the old cats
either put up with with (some just LOVING the new
kitties) or made it quite clear to them alone,
and the kittens learned pretty quick! Although
I've had older cats that never were close to the
new ones, they all got along, and I think it's
good for them to have "one of their own kind"
around.
Your thoughts? Just how WELL must pets get along to
be "happy"?
Linda
getting new cage mates for a rat whose pal may
cross over soon, I was saying about the common
wisdom being to get new pals for the remaining
rat.
I've said it and I've often read in the rat
groups, "s/he'll be happier with a friend." I
think we tend to think that "happy" means that
they will all get along as well as the previous
rat, or that they will at least pal around or
take an interest in each other. I suspect we
tend to think of anything less than a failed
experiment, or that a rat is "unhappy" since
s/he may not have the same level as interaction
as previously.
Since rats are social animals, I think that even
if they aren't super-bonded to the new rat(s),
that even having other rats around the cage will
be a good thing for the original rat. Even if
the new ones seem to get on its nerves (but
obviously overly-stressed isn't a good thing).
I'm also thinking about this in relation to cats
I've had. I think that cats are generally happier
if they have another cat around (again, provided
there isn't WAY too much stress or aggression).
Littermates seems to be best.
Over the years, I've introduced kittens into the
home while there were older cats around. The
kittens were pests, of course, but the old cats
either put up with with (some just LOVING the new
kitties) or made it quite clear to them alone,
and the kittens learned pretty quick! Although
I've had older cats that never were close to the
new ones, they all got along, and I think it's
good for them to have "one of their own kind"
around.
Your thoughts? Just how WELL must pets get along to
be "happy"?
Linda
