hairess rat, alone?

Question
Hi I have been reading about rats and thinking of getting one( if possible). My housemate is not a pet person, and says he is allergic to fur, so I thought a hairless would be a good choice. I have heard so many wonderful things about rats, that they provide a lot of companionship and that they can be trained and are very clever.

I have read that keeping one rat is very cruel, is this always so? dogs are pack animals and seem to be ok alone ( just an example, I know they are not the same), is there any way I can justify keeping just one?

The reason I only want one is the fact I do not have some one who will look after my pet, I go away about one or two weekends a month, so I thought about taking my rat with me as my bf who I visit says he dose not mind if I set up a cage there, is this cruel? would moving the rat around like this distress him/her? ( by train, an hour each way)

If I did get a rat I would spend a lot of time with it, playing ,training, bathing, cuddling. Even so I don't know if I'm being selfish, with the situation I have described, honestly, should I get a hairless?? or will it have a terrible life with me from what you have heard.

thanks, sam

Answer
 Keeping a rat alone isn't 'terrible', but they definitely do much better in pairs.  Even if you spend a lot of time with them, you can never do the things that another rat can do such as social grooming, playing, wrestling, and cuddling up to sleep.  Rats are also more active at night, when you are sleeping, so they can easily get bored.  Keeping two rats is not much different than keeping one as far as work goes.  They will still bond to you as well as to each other and will be able to keep each other company when you are too busy to play with them or if you have to leave them for an extended period of time.

 Moving shouldn't stress the rat(s) too much but it all depends on their personalities.  Some rats are timid and flighty and would get more stressed from a train ride and movement than a rat who is more socialized and tame.  I would definitely get a rat from a breeder rather than a pet store, especially if you are looking for hairless, as breeder-raised rats are most often more tame, friendly, loving, and healthy.  Having a relationship with a breeder can also help when you have questions or if you are unable to keep the rat in the future.

 If you must keep one rat alone it is imperative that you spend several hours with it per day, and you will probably have to take him with you when you take a trip if you can, or he will be very lonely without you.  It is a better idea in general to get two and they will live longer, happier lives together.  I hope this answers your questions, good luck!