I'm planning on getting two rats within the next week and I was wondering which gender would be best. My friend had a few female rats and all they did was hide from her or just ignored her. are males different or does it depend on the rat/s? Also, if I get them from the same litter/cage will they fight?.
Which gender is better?
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jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
Hi!
My experience with both sexes is that both are equally as wonderful. Each rat has a unique personality. Some rather not interact while others can't get enough of you. Some are adventurist while others prefer to be with you.
Being from the same litter is no guarantee that they won't fight. But real fighting is not common with rats. Scuffles are normal.
My experience with both sexes is that both are equally as wonderful. Each rat has a unique personality. Some rather not interact while others can't get enough of you. Some are adventurist while others prefer to be with you.
Being from the same litter is no guarantee that they won't fight. But real fighting is not common with rats. Scuffles are normal.
1095732
Well-Known Member
It depends on what you are looking for. Generally (from my experience), males are calmer and females are all over the place. Want a rat that will hang out on your lap? Get males. What rats that will climb all over you and may not sit still? Get females. But again, this is just a generalization. Every rat is unique. Me personally, (having males and females) I prefer females. Males are 2-3x the size of females and have (large) testicles which some people don't like. I prefer females because I find them more entertaining. But I do like being able to just hang with my chill males. I find that the males smell worse than females (but that may just be because I have males and females and the males mark). My females are far messier than my males. When I take my females out, they run all over the place, checking out everything. When I take my males out, they just sit on my lap or slowly walk around.
Your friends rats are shy because they weren't socialized properly. My females are very social, as are my males. They come to the front of the cage if I walk by and all come running when I call out "Hey girlies". Any rats can fight. My males are brothers, from the same litter, and they fight here and there. My females are all related in one way or another but different ages and sizes, they very rarely fight.
Your friends rats are shy because they weren't socialized properly. My females are very social, as are my males. They come to the front of the cage if I walk by and all come running when I call out "Hey girlies". Any rats can fight. My males are brothers, from the same litter, and they fight here and there. My females are all related in one way or another but different ages and sizes, they very rarely fight.
dspch911
Senior Member
I have 13 boys, had 15 some are/were the most wonderful social characters ever then there are a few we just cannot seem to do anything with, but they didn't have the best start in life and are very difficult and just don't want to be social with people - which is sad cause no matter how hard we try unless its on his term - forget it!! Bascially they each have their own personalities and quirks - just like people, but at the end of the day we wouldn't get rid of any of our babies. :heart:
They all have their own personalities. I have two girls and a boy. One of the girls is very active and always scurrying about the place, the other girl is calmer and can be snuggled without to much fuss. The boy is slower and not as agile. Its true he does tend to smell worse than the girls - off honey - but its not terrible. After having both sexes my preference would be male, my boy is very loving and likes snuggles but again that may just be his personality. It just depends on which one you prefer, I would just remember that when getting a rat they give back what they receive. If you spend time with them then they are more likely to be affectionate with you.
UhHuhHer
Well-Known Member
While each rat has its own unique personality, boys tend to be more immediately affectionate. They also seem to be more interested in cuddling, from my experience. However, all of mine are females and I adore them. They all took longer to be affectionate than my friend's boys, but they are worth it. It all depends on the work you put into making them feel comfortable with you, but boys just seem to get comfortable faster.
Dahlas
Well-Known Member
I have had both boys and girls....but all my rats are spayed and neutered. I have had active males and snuggly females as well as the other way around....My neutered males tend to be more easygoing...but I have had some very sweet girls... it really depends on their personality and how much time you spend with them.
I only have boys, and I was very particular that I wanted boys not girls. I wanted big squishy lazy mush balls! I got the big and squishy, but I didn't get snuggly! My boy are busy busy! I figure I should worry when they slow down! I also wanted shoulder rats. I wanted buddies who would stay on my shoulder or hang out in my hood. My boys do this sometimes, but usually go and explore or climb down my shirt. Why not rescue one of each and make sure they are spayed/neutered!
GrayLightNewDay
Well-Known Member
I have four females, and I wanted females specifically because I did not want to deal with huge testicles, buck grease, and penis plugs.
One of my girls doesn't really like to be touched, but she is still friendly and always wants to come out of the cage. She will crawl on my lap and play with me, she just doesn't like being petted and hates being picked up. My oldest girl is super sweet and snugly and always has been. My "twins" that I got from the same litter are hyper busy little girls, but still love to be cuddled and petted when they are in a calm mood. They all greet me, give me kisses, and want to play with me any chance they get. :heart:
Like everyone else said, all rats have different personalities, and spaying/neutering will help to chill them out. Fighting happens, but usually it's more like little arguments, not vicious fights.
One of my girls doesn't really like to be touched, but she is still friendly and always wants to come out of the cage. She will crawl on my lap and play with me, she just doesn't like being petted and hates being picked up. My oldest girl is super sweet and snugly and always has been. My "twins" that I got from the same litter are hyper busy little girls, but still love to be cuddled and petted when they are in a calm mood. They all greet me, give me kisses, and want to play with me any chance they get. :heart:
Like everyone else said, all rats have different personalities, and spaying/neutering will help to chill them out. Fighting happens, but usually it's more like little arguments, not vicious fights.
temblabamomo
Senior Member
:laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:clmntine said:
...me too.
Personally I prefer boys. I avoid girls because I can't afford to spay every rat that comes through the door, and spaying greatly descreases the chance of mammary tumors, whereas neutering is mainly done only for behavioral reasons. Boys are squishier, too, imo :heart:
GrayLightNewDay
Well-Known Member
A lot of people really love their balls... I'm just creeped out by the massive size, and wouldn't want them rubbing on my arm or face hahaha
Ratlover2013
Well-Known Member
Both genders are great, Girls are more hyper & playful as where boys are more laid back and cuddly.
dspch911
Senior Member
clmntine said:
GrayLightNewDay said:
That's exactly why I got boys too!!! Only some are hyper and on the go just like girls! I don't even really notice their "rathood" that much and some don't have them anymore do to their snip snips .... :giggle:
