my rat :)

Question
Hello Sandra,

I have one male rat that I hand raised since he was a baby as I purchased his mother from a pet store and she gave birth to 12 little guys.
He is now around 2 to 3 months old and the sweetest little rat you could come across :).
Although, I have to go to school for 6 hours a day and he is stuck in his cage for all that time alone. Although his cage is huge and has a hommock and 3 different types of foods in bowls and I always give him fresh vegetables I believe he could get lonely so I am looking into getting another rat and de-sexing her.

How much would this cost in Aus dollars?

Answer
Why not just get another male his age and save your money on surgery?  Male rats can live together just fine, its the male mice that do not get along with each other. I have three males that are about 18 weeks old now and are madly in love with each other.  Spaying a female is invasive, costly and risky. I do suggest it be done to avoid mammary tumors as the female rat ages, however, but since you have a male already, why not get him a step brother?  Doing it now at this young age will mean they will have many months to play wrestle, chase each other and have alot of high energy fun that baby rats have.  He is at the right age to introduce him to another male his age. Do not, of course, just put them together the same day. They need to get used to each other as with any new rat, but after a few days of living side by side and letting them meet on neutral ground, they should be best friends fast.  I suggest making a play area outside the cage and secure it using cardboard walls, at least 4feet tall so they cant jump it. You can see how to make this play area on my website.

http://www.sandyscrittercity.com/gettingstarted.htm


See my baby boys here:

http://www.sandyscrittercity.com/watchmyboysgrow.htm

As for prices in Aus, I have no idea since I live in the United states. Spaying here can cost anywhere from $150 to $500 US dollars, depending on the Vet.  Again though, there is no reason to have to go through that when you can just get another young male for him.