pet rat alone

Question
i just got my pet rat today. after i came home, i researched some and it said rats do better if they're w/ another rat. since my rat is by itself, does that mean it will have issues or problems in the future if i don't get another rat?

Answer
 Though rats can live fine alone, they usually are much happier in pairs, though it depends on the rat's personality.  Usually it is only adult males who have lived alone their whole lives that prefer to be alone; young males and most females can be introduced to another of the same or altered gender just fine.  Since you haven't had your rat alone for long, now is a good time to introduce a cagemate of approximately the same age.

 Usually the main issue with a single rat is they don't get enough socialization.  Even if you play with your rat a lot there are things that another rat can do that you never will be able to such as social grooming, playing, and cuddling to sleep.  Rats are also much more active at night, when most humans are asleep, and another rat can interact with them at this time.  Since rats are social animals even in the wild, they can carry out their normal behaviours with another rat that lives with them, plus it is much more fun to watch two rats interact.  Having two rats is no more work than one, and they will still bond to you just as strongly as well as each other.

 I hope this answers your question, good luck!